The school uniform:The school uniform: in Great Britain, in Great Britain,

in the USA,in the USA,in Canada.in Canada.

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The question of whether children should wear a The question of whether children should wear a uniform to school always makes for a lively uniform to school always makes for a lively debate, and not only among students! In some debate, and not only among students! In some countries school uniform is normal and most countries school uniform is normal and most schools make their students wear one. Britain is schools make their students wear one. Britain is the most obvious example of this, but in many the most obvious example of this, but in many other countries with strong links to Britain other countries with strong links to Britain uniform often has to be worn to school - uniform often has to be worn to school - examples include Australia, Ireland, New examples include Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and many other African countries. Uniform is and many other African countries. Uniform is also required at almost all schools in Japan. In also required at almost all schools in Japan. In other countries, particularly in continental other countries, particularly in continental Europe, the USA and Canada, uniform is very Europe, the USA and Canada, uniform is very rare in state-funded schools, although private rare in state-funded schools, although private schools may have one.schools may have one.

This topic looks at a very large number of arguments about uniforms.This topic looks at a very large number of arguments about uniforms. Arguments:

Pros Cons Making everyone wear the same school uniform goes against our rights.

Schools with uniforms obtain better educational results. This is because there is better discipline and so the school setting makes learning easier.

Uniform is often not practical or pleasant to wear. Designs are often

old-fashioned and ugly.

Uniform is a social leveler - it makes all the children at a school equal no matter what their family background or income.

Forcing children to wear uniform can ignore their religious and cultural

needs

Uniform is usually cheaper than letting children choose what they will wear to

school. Wearing a school uniform is not good preparation for working. Only a few jobs require uniforms, and many of

these are low-paid service jobs

Wearing a uniform helps to prepare students for the world of work, where

uniforms are often worn.

School uniform in Britain.School uniform in Britain.Pupils at most secondary schools in

Britain have to wear a school uniform. This usually means a white blouse for

girls with a dark-coloured skirt and pullover. Boys wear a shirt and tie, dark

trousers and dark-coloured pullovers. Pupils also wear blazers – a kind of jacket

– with the school badge on the pocket. They often have to wear some kind of hat on the way to and from school – caps for

boys and berets for girls. Shoes are usually black or brown. And no high

heels.

Young people in Britain Young people in Britain often often don't likedon't like their school their school uniform, especially the hats uniform, especially the hats and shoes. Sometimes they and shoes. Sometimes they do not wear the right clothes. do not wear the right clothes. Schools will often give them Schools will often give them a warning the first time that a warning the first time that this happens but then will this happens but then will punish them if they continue punish them if they continue not to wear the correct not to wear the correct uniform. Senior students uniform. Senior students don't have to wear their don't have to wear their school uniform.school uniform.

School uniform in the USA.School uniform in the USA.

During the 1990s state schools in the USA began to adopt uniforms. At first uniform rules were seen as a way of stopping children dressing in gang colours in troubled urban areas. Later, claims that introducing uniform leads to better discipline and educational results encouraged other school districts and schools to make a change. Both the Clinton and Bush administrations have been in favour of school uniforms.

Until the early to mid 1970s, the Until the early to mid 1970s, the uniform for girls almost always uniform for girls almost always consisted of a consisted of a skirt or or jumper; but it ; but it is now common, in the is now common, in the United States, for female pupils to wear uniform , for female pupils to wear uniform shorts or slacks, especially in shorts or slacks, especially in warmer weather. This is mainly the warmer weather. This is mainly the result of changing societal norms result of changing societal norms that resulted in a trend for women that resulted in a trend for women and girls in most levels of society to and girls in most levels of society to wear trousers and shorts, instead of wear trousers and shorts, instead of skirts and dresses, for everyday life. skirts and dresses, for everyday life. Today, most schools require girls to Today, most schools require girls to wear skirts, others allow girls the wear skirts, others allow girls the choice of skirts or culottes and pants.choice of skirts or culottes and pants.

Boys typically wear a collared shirt, tie, and slacks of required colors, although polo shirts have to some extent replaced dress shirt.

Both sexes usually wear a sweater or blazer (or both) when required by regulations or weather.

Some schools have unisex uniforms--most often a distinctive shirt, and sometimes pants of a given color.

Uniforms may vary based on time of year.Uniforms may vary based on time of year. At many schools, students are excused from having to wear the fairly formal (and warm) uniforms described above during the hotter months of the school year in favor of lighter uniform clothing. However, at some schools

appearance and formality prevail over comfort and students must suffer through the warm weather in their full uniform,

which can include long sleeved dress shirts, ties, wool sweaters, blazers, wool skirts or

jumpers, and knee socks or tights.

School uniform in Canada.School uniform in Canada.A A kilted skirt is sometimes worn, skirt is sometimes worn,

especially in schools with especially in schools with predominantly Celtic student predominantly Celtic student

populations. In some parts of populations. In some parts of Canada, , the skirt has been modified to include the skirt has been modified to include an attached pair of shorts beneath, for an attached pair of shorts beneath, for modesty called a modesty called a skort. Bike shorts are . Bike shorts are

often worn under girls' skirts or jumpers often worn under girls' skirts or jumpers for modesty. for modesty. Culottes are also are also

sometimes substituted for a skirt, sometimes substituted for a skirt, especially at Episcopalian or non-especially at Episcopalian or non-

parochial private schools.parochial private schools.

The The Catholic school uniform in in CanadaCanada consists of a pleated consists of a pleated plaid

skirt or jumper (a sleeveless dress), skirt or jumper (a sleeveless dress), Mary Jane or saddle shoes, a blouse, or saddle shoes, a blouse, and a sweater, for girls; for boys, a and a sweater, for girls; for boys, a button-down shirt, a button-down shirt, a necktie, and , and

dark pants. Actual school uniforms dark pants. Actual school uniforms vary widely by location and vary widely by location and

individual school.individual school.Nearly all Nearly all Roman Catholic schools schools have some form of dress code, and have some form of dress code, and most of them (especially those with most of them (especially those with students in the lower grade levels) students in the lower grade levels) have a mandatory uniform policy.have a mandatory uniform policy.

The girls' uniform has become an iconic figure in Western culture. The hit 1998 music video for Britney Spears' first single, "...Baby One More Time" featured Spears and a number of backup dancers wearing a modified version of the Catholic school uniform, making the video somewhat controversial, especially given Spears' young age at the time. This would not be the last time the iconic costume would be used or referenced in a music video in recent years, however.