To Be or Not To Be In Uniform (For the Motion & Against the Motion)

(For The Motion)

The implementation of school uniforms has been a bone of contention around the world. Today, kids are getting into trouble for not following the dress code way more than ever. Several countries, such as the United States, are recognising the essentiality of school uniforms. The National Center for Education Statistics revealed that in 2006, 13.8 percent of US public schools necessitated uniforms which increased to 21.5 per cent in 2016. Well, most Indian schools require uniforms. Since it is an old norm, many accept it without questioning it. You might loathe your school uniform; however, I believe it is there for various smart reasons. I take this opportunity to bring you some of the best ones.

1. Uniforms reflect equality

In our fashion-conscious society where brands matter, young boys and girls are under severe peer pressure to keep up with the latest fashions. If they are unable to match the set standards, they may be less accepted, excluded from social circles, and may even be subjected to mockery. This can hugely affect their self-esteem and can lead to many insecurities. School uniforms act as an equaliser. They eliminate competition, thereby alleviating judgements and social conflicts.

2. Uniforms instil a sense of unity

Schools advocate that every student is equal and every student belongs. Uniforms can be an excellent way to reinforce a culture of oneness and a sense of community, especially in young children. An environment that is inclusive of everyone inculcates team spirit. School uniforms show that you are part of an organisation and wearing it manifests “we are all in this together”. They also help a child cultivate loyalty and accountability.

3. Uniforms are cost-effective

As the weather and fashion trends keep changing, back-to-school clothing can burn a hole in a parent’s pocket. School uniforms emancipate students from the big-budget expectation of donning designer wear. They cut down the clothing cost as they allow them to purchase fewer items.

According to The Hindu, a set of readymade uniform for a child in Class 1 values between ₹550 and ₹650. On average, the majority of parents place orders for two sets of uniforms in an academic year, costing them only ₹1,500-₹4,500 per year.

4. Uniforms put an end to wardrobe battles.

If students are allowed to wear clothes of their choice, they will be engrossed in tracking current trends. Uniforms bring the attention of students to who they are, rather than what they are wearing, or what they can afford. Students devote less time on picking their outfits and more on academics and extra-curricular activities.

All in all, I believe that school uniforms are great for a child’s growth and development. It makes students feel more confident and develop a school culture that fosters seriousness about learning. A dress code represents not only the school’s motto but also a level of professionalism. Best of all, wearing a school uniform is a badge of pride, creates an identity for a school and is an integral part of being a school student.

(Against The Motion)

Uniform has been representing schools since the 16th century. However, the primary school to bring uniform into existence was way back in England in the year 1222. Till date, having uniforms or not is an active debate which needs to be discussed in depth.

A research done by psychological scientists from California State University, Northbridge University, and Columbia University showed that the process of dressing up every day improves cognition as well as gives fuel to one’s abilities.

As per my consideration over the subject, I have come to realise that uniforms bring stability in a student's life at the age of creativity. It is an obstacle in one's mental growth as it becomes a schedule more than development. I believe that abolishing uniforms will lead to the enhanced personality development of a student. If you ask me, the outcomes of not having uniforms will result in shaping the following aspects in any student's life:

1. Creativity

Processing thoughts on what to wear every day will result in exercising the brain and improving its creativity through imagination. It will help students to lead themselves rather than following what’s been told.

2. Self - exploration & Representation

According to Article 19 of the Constitution of India, every citizen is guaranteed a fundamental right to express themselves in a manner to their liking. However, many schools by practising the tradition of uniforms are in direct breach of the same.

It is a general consensus that personality is often reflected by the way an individual dresses. By not wearing uniforms, students will come across different styles every day with the understanding of their ideal self. After a student has a better idea about the portrayal of his/her self, students will represent themselves every day in a new way. 

3. Decision making

I think that when a student chooses different outfits every day, it will inculcate the habit of taking decisions at a faster pace. This practice will improve the ability of decision making. 

4. Confidence

I write for everyone when I say that confidence comes from the trust within, the trust within is always a priority. Selecting to trust the outfit of the day will make any student more confident than ever.

5. The Responsibility of Self

Keeping in mind the research by California State University, it is possible that when students perform a daily task of deciding the outfit, they will develop a sense of responsibility to carry the same outfit with needed care. This action by a student will certainly trigger and enhance the responsibility factor.

6. No Distractions

According to Merriam Webster’s dictionary, the word distraction was briefly explained wherein it was mentioned that “an object that directs one's attention away from something else becomes a distraction”.

By focusing on the word distraction, I came to theorize that distraction occurs when attention is diverted. When the distraction becomes the attention, it is because of the change and an attraction towards something new. However, if we practice on focusing on a particular distraction on a daily basis the attention remains undistracted, hence, eliminating the distraction.


7. Prepared to deal with bullying, discrimination, biases etc

Social pressure comes free with our existence and sometimes can be hard to deal with.

Though I think, a day will come when students finish school and steps in the real (Where there are no uniforms), then their emotional balance will remain untouched making them clueless on how to deal with social pressure (judgments, biases, racism, comparison, peer pressure). If you ask me, to tackle social pressure, the acknowledgement of pressure is required. It will be better if we equip students to face the challenges and get familiar with such situations at an age when the mind is vulnerable and is open to acceptance.

Of course, no one would have thought that dressing up could be fruitful to this extent. Such positive impacts on a student with a little change to abolish uniforms have been kept hidden because we never chose to look through it from a different perspective. Well, we cannot bring the There will be a day when students finish school and steps in the real (Where there are no uniforms), their emotional balance will remain untouched making them clueless on how to deal with social pressure (judgments, biases, racism, comparison). Lost time back, but we can take the charge today, and say NO to uniforms for a better future of our students.