August 24th 2024.
As a parent, one of the ongoing conversations that I have been having with other parents is about the idea of scrapping school uniforms. My 14-year-old son, Tom*, has been vocal about his dislike for having to wear a shirt and tie to school. Being on the autism spectrum, he has difficulty with sensory processing, making the school uniform a source of discomfort for him. While he managed to tolerate the primary school polo shirt and sweatshirt combination, the more restrictive high school uniform has been a constant source of frustration for him.
Despite his best efforts to bend the rules and ditch the tie whenever possible, the strict school uniform policy has still caused him a great deal of distress. And he's not the only one. All three of my children – Tom*, Oliver*, and Lola* – have attended schools with vastly different attitudes towards uniforms, making it difficult for me to keep up.
This is why I strongly believe that it's time to overhaul the inconsistent school uniform policies across different schools, or better yet, do away with them entirely. Each school's governing board has the power to set their own uniform policies, resulting in some schools being more strict or having more expensive uniforms than others. This can be a major source of stress for both students and parents, especially when it comes to following the rules and purchasing costly branded items.
Every year, I read stories about children getting into trouble for breaking uniform rules and worry that I may have unknowingly done the same. Thankfully, we have managed to stay on the right side of the line so far, but I can understand the frustration and financial strain that many parents face when it comes to buying school uniforms. According to data, the average cost for primary school uniforms is £287 per child, while it's even steeper at £422 per child for secondary school. As a parent of twins attending different schools, one on a scholarship, I can attest to the financial burden that this can bring.
But beyond the cost, the idea of dressing our children up as miniature office workers seems outdated and unnecessary. With the changing landscape of the workplace, where less than 10% of people wear business attire, it's time for schools to reflect this change as well. Our children should be able to wear clothes that are comfortable, practical, and allow them to be themselves. They need to be able to move freely, get messy, and be comfortable in their own skin while learning.
The purpose of school is to educate, not to enforce a strict dress code. By forcing children to adhere to a certain dress code, we are sending the message that their appearance is more important than their character and academic achievements. Furthermore, enforcing strict dress codes can lead to issues of sexism, homophobia, and bullying, as seen in the case of a young girl being teased for wearing trousers because "only lesbians wear them."
If we are going to have school uniforms, then it should be the same for every child, with no differing options. This would eliminate the pressure to conform and prevent instances of bullying or discrimination based on clothing choices. Removing these choices would also remove the need for branded items, which only serve to drive up the cost for parents.
At the end of the day, the purpose of a school uniform is to create a sense of equality among students. But if we truly want to promote individuality and self-expression, then perhaps it's time to do away with school uniforms altogether. This would allow children to freely express their unique style and experiment with different looks without fear of judgement or backlash. We should focus on educating and preparing our children for the future, rather than worrying about what they wear to school.
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