School uniform is an outfit worn by a specific community of students. Requiring students to wear school uniforms is a common practice around the world. In many countries, uniforms are a part of school tradition. In the United Kingdom, for example, school uniforms have been worn since the 1500’s.
The definition of what makes a uniform varies from school to school. In some schools, a T-shirt of a certain color may be the only part of a student’s outfit that makes up the uniform. The traditional school uniform in the United Kingdom, however, is more formal. It consists of a tie and a white button-down shirt for a boy, a pleated skirt for a girl, and a blazer (suit jacket) with the school emblem (badge) for both. In the United Kingdom, nearly all schoolchildren wear a uniform.
Uniforms in the United States and Canada.
Private schools in the United States and Canada often require their students to wear uniforms. In these nations, a private school is one that is not operated by a government body. Traditionally, public schools—that is, schools operated by a government body—rarely required students to wear uniforms. Today, a growing number of public schools have made uniforms a requirement.
Many public-school leaders and parents of public school children believe that uniforms improve student behavior. They also believe that uniforms eliminate the distraction of fashion and keep students more focused on their work. Some argue that uniforms can remove barriers that exist between wealthier and poorer students. Some school administrators believe that uniforms hinder gang activity because colors or clothing associated with specific gangs cannot be worn to school. Uniforms can also make it easier to identify intruders that may slip into a school.
Opponents of school uniforms in public schools believe that required outfits limit students’ freedom of expression. They also believe the cost of school uniforms is an unfair additional expense for parents, who already pay for public education in the form of taxes. Uniforms can especially be a financial burden for poorer families.
Some studies have shown a connection between uniforms and better attendance and graduation rates. One study in 2010 showed that uniforms improved test scores and attendance for students, especially for girls.
Uniforms in some other English-speaking countries.
In New Zealand, uniforms are common and are often based upon a traditional British school uniform. In Australia, children in private schools tend to wear the traditional uniform of a blazer and tie. Most public schools in Australia have a uniform, but children are not necessarily required to wear it. Some schools have less formal uniforms, such as a specific polo shirt. A polo shirt is a short-sleeved shirt that has a collar and is made of cotton or some other knitted material. Hats often form an important part of a school uniform in Australia.
