The Power Of Uniforms

 

At Mount Waddy Primary School, all children dress alike––in crisp, clean blue shirts with charcoal pants or jumpers. No one stands out at first, not until you notice how exceptionally neat and well-groomed everyone looks.

School uniforms serve several important purposes. First, they remove all competition and status regarding who can afford to dress better than his/her peers. They eliminate most social snobbery and hurtful remarks. And, of course, thefts of personal possessions like ball caps. There’s no early morning dawdling, either, as children attempt to debate their parents about what they should or shouldn’t be allowed to wear.

In some studies (yes, those do exist) teachers report better decorum, better alertness, better academic performances and even better attendance. Think of professions where uniforms are the norm. Police officers, firefighters, the armed forces––all have behavioral standards, specific duties and targeted outcomes. Expectations are high, as they should be. That these traits should extend to schoolchildren dressed tastefully should surprise no one.

So something essential is at work here. Education is serious business, too serious to waste precious seconds remarking about whatever strange thing someone else might be wearing on his head. School impacts not only a child’s life today, but for decades to come. No time to waste. Every minute counts.

A school uniform therefore proclaims a tangible reason for parental pride: My child will be educated. He/she will reach high, conduct himself/herself well and accomplish much.

Uniforms make the entire ride smoother, straighter. Children dressed in uniforms aren’t likely to shrug off math, science or geography lessons when everyone else is sitting in precise rows, paying rapt attention. They also aren’t likely to skip school or vandalize vehicles; in uniforms, they’re too recognizable! Shopkeepers would be picking up their phones to alert authorities within seconds.

We adults keep trying to sell the enormous benefits of education. Perhaps we don’t need to work so hard, since the stats, particularly regarding lifelong income and overall satisfaction, are already clear. Besides, uniforms seem to be doing an excellent job on their own.

 

 


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