The way children dress for school ...

Pheasy · Post by **Pheasy** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 7:46 am

As I sat, bleary eyed, at 6:30 this morning watching the kids get on the school bus and waving my baby off to school (lets hope MiniMe doesn't see me calling him 'my baby' :wah:), I couldn't help think how scary some of the kids looked. Call me an old fashioned fuddy-duddy, but I just don't think kids should be allowed to dress so outrageously for school.

I always had to wear a uniform to school, and when I was at boarding school, a hat too. I wish all schools would make kids wear uniforms. I dressed like all the teenagers out of school, whatever the latest rage was - but school was school and you just didn't dress like that for school!

Peg · Post by **Peg** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 7:58 am

I always wished our schools would require uniforms too. It takes some peer pressure off because you don't have to worry about affording the latest shoe or jeans trend.

What makes me furious with our school system is, boys cannot wear shorts no matter how long they are. Girls can wear capris, short skirts, and shirts that show most of what they wish they had. My son threatened to wear a skirt to school because of this. (Thank goodness he didn't) :wah:

You should see how they dress for homecoming dances and proms! MANY of the girls look like they will be standing on the street corner than dancing. :-5

Pheasy · Post by **Pheasy** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:32 am

The shorts for boys thing is a little crazy - what about those hot summer days. Our school does not have central air, thats terrible.

Our schools say that the kids cannot wear anything advertising alcohol, tobacco or drugs. The girls cannot wear skimpy t shirts or skirts. But they still manage to find a way of showing everything, and looking like they are going off to a gang meeting, instead of school.

I suppose they have to look the part when they are having their lunchtime pot :rolleyes:

Pheasy · Post by **Pheasy** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:53 am

rjwould;762490 wrote: Pull your kids out if you don't like the system, thats what I did..

With all due respect, Pheasant, you are not going to change any of it..If it's not uniforms, it's the 'lunchtime pot' or the violence. You do have the option of a private institution..

Yes, but why should I have to. I pay my school taxes - am I wrong to expect proper supervision and a decent educational environment.

Pheasy · Post by **Pheasy** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 9:19 am

And believe me I am watching very carefully on that front, and WILL make a decision based on my childrens welfare and education. However, there are some who cannot afford to home school or put there children into private schooling - what are their options?

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:58 am

My girls have to wear a uniform...blue school sweatshirt, white shirt, black/grey trousers/skirt and black shoes and thats for primary school.

Pheasy · Post by **Pheasy** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 12:02 pm

Chezzie;762636 wrote: My girls have to wear a uniform...blue school sweatshirt, white shirt, black/grey trousers/skirt and black shoes and thats for primary school.

Yes Josh did at the schools he went to in the UK. As a previous poster said, it takes the pressure off children and parents too. Also looks smart - I always hope 'look smart, act smart, be smart'.

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 1:00 pm

Just about all Australian schools strongly promote the idea of wearing uniform, at least up to high school level. In private schools uniform is more "uniform". In State schools they like you at very least to keep to the general school colours. I've always thought this was a very good idea. Not only does it remove competitiveness and even out socioeconomic differences - even the poorest people can colour coordinate - but it saves a heck of a lot of time in the morning if you know what you're going to wear. Another benefit is that when you're on an excursion the teachers can easily identify their kids. Finally, when the school day is over, you come home and change into your play/ off duty / weekend clothes - and this is a good, satisfying feeling. Creative energy which might be expended on external finery can surely be channelled into more worthwhile endeavours. My kids always wore uniforms, sometimes complained at the time, but retrospectively gave a loud cheer, and are now in highly creative work.

suzycreamcheese · Post by **suzycreamcheese** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 1:15 pm

rjwould;762654 wrote: There are many who believe uniforms take away from the creative side of many students. I'm not sure if I agree with it because the truly creative will not be stopped, but I wonder if some do lose the' potential' of creativity. I've never been an advocate for uniforms in schools, but I see your points.

I agree with this.

I dont actually like school uniforms, I dont see the point particularly, and any issues with bullying or keeping up with peer pressure are transferred into other things. Its such a pain to have to have a clean uniform every day when ds has soooo many other clothes that barely get worn except for the holidays.

I can maybe understand it more for secondary school, but certainly not for primary school.

The only decent thing i can think of as a reason for school uniform, is it gives kids something fairly benign to focus their rebellion on.

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 1:18 pm

My kids never complain about their uniform, im guessing that will change once they get to high school right?

I agree with you AP, definately a good thing for the children and parents. Takes the competitve edge right off.

My children love school, I hope they continue to do so:-6

mrsK · Post by **mrsK** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 1:58 pm

ThePheasant;762445 wrote: As I sat, bleary eyed, at 6:30 this morning watching the kids get on the school bus and waving my baby off to school (lets hope MiniMe doesn't see me calling him 'my baby' :wah:), I couldn't help think how scary some of the kids looked. Call me an old fashioned fuddy-duddy, but I just don't think kids should be allowed to dress so outrageously for school.

I always had to wear a uniform to school, and when I was at boarding school, a hat too. I wish all schools would make kids wear uniforms. I dressed like all the teenagers out of school, whatever the latest rage was - but school was school and you just didn't dress like that for school!

We have uniforms at out school Pheasy,it makes it even for all familys.Wealthy & not .

We also have a hat policy,no hat no play out in the sun.

All the staff have to be dressed neatly,no denim,no open toed shoes.

It's so we set an example for the kids,good idea I think.:-6

AussiePam · Post by **AussiePam** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 5:59 pm

Yes on the hats. And yes, too, on the theme days when kids get to dress up, down, etc. I think uniforms give a lot of kids a sense of belonging too, and in our fragmented lives these days, maybe this too is an important consideration. There are a trillion other ways to express individuality and even many in the uniforms. Muslim girls wear headscarves in school colours. My littlie wears a tee shirt sometimes with the Eiffel tower on it.. in school colours. Just for a couple of examples.

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 6:08 pm

fuzzy butt;762686 wrote:

.:)Too cute :-4

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 6:53 pm

Oh, your kids are so cute, they look nice in their uniforms.

I have taught in public schools with and without uniforms. I kind of like the uniforms, most of the teachers all wore them too. (I did too) We wore lots of combinations of scarves, jewelry, all kinds of do-dads, that gave the young girls ideas to create a look of their own. They had different color combinations, and when you got the high school, they were four major colors to work with, and the combinations were endless. They looked very nice.

WonderWendy3 · Post by **WonderWendy3** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 7:08 pm

Fuzzy, your kids are precious!!:-4

Pheasy, I hear ya on the way kids dress, my middle son's school is talking about uniforms and he (my middle son) had to write an essay on how he felt about it...which was fun to read....he could care less either way....he was more concerned about saving me money, bless his little heart!:-4

moonpie · Post by **moonpie** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 8:07 pm

WonderWendy3;762852 wrote: Fuzzy, your kids are precious!!:-4

Pheasy, I hear ya on the way kids dress, my middle son's school is talking about uniforms and he (my middle son) had to write an essay on how he felt about it...which was fun to read....he could care less either way....he was more concerned about saving me money, bless his little heart!:-4

Wendy, sounds like you have a real sweety as a son, bless his heart. I think uniforms are good for school too. It is really scary to see how mothers and dads let their kids leave the house to go to school. Some of the kids look dreadful. Girls are showing their mid-driffs and mind you some of them need to lose a few pounds. Boys are wearing those sloppy looking trousers, that look like they are going to fall of their backside any moment. I don't envy parents these days. It must take a real special person to understand these kids. A big high five to you all.

mrsK · Post by **mrsK** » Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:49 pm

fuzzy butt;762687 wrote: I think every school has that now, because it's compulsory the goverment has to pay for the hats. Our school has brought in the same for winter coats outside.

How cute are your two?:-4

Parents still have to pay for the hats here,good idea about the coats as well.:-6

Pheasy · Post by **Pheasy** » Thu Jan 24, 2008 6:47 am

I had to wear a uniform at all the schools I went to. I found a link to my boarding school - can't see the hats though. Maybe they don't have to wear them any more - they were like upside down bowls :wah:

Looks like the uniforms changed a bit too ....

http://www.kesw.surrey.sch.uk/index2.htm