School Uniforms: Yay or Nay?
By Bruno Gonzalez
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Edition 14 is the last edition of the 2025-26 academic year. See you next year!
School uniforms. Something many of us relate to. Some find it annoying, others helpful, but at the end of the day, it’s just a garment. So, why is it that school uniforms are such a debated topic with no definitive societal agreement?
When I saw depictions of school students when I was much younger, I never thought that students in real life must wear any particular outfits when they go to school, as I usually saw them wearing their casual clothes, like what they would probably wear when at home. That would change when I got into elementary school.
In the elementary school I used to go to years ago, I found out that students there must wear blue uniforms, which my parents bought for me. Other than the fact that I was a bit surprised by it, I never thought much about school uniforms. In fact, I completely accepted them, and I always wore them whenever I could. But that’s just my personal opinion. There are many factors that can weigh the balance to one side or another.
Firstly, I’m going to explore the key considerations for “yay”. The one thing that always comes to mind is the equality that school uniforms provide, they reduce social economic divides as there is no space for comparison between brands or styles since all the outfits are the same. Moreover, school uniforms can foster a sense of belonging or school identity. This leads to distinguishing students easier when on a school trip or seeing quickly if a stranger intrudes in a primary school, to name a few examples. Lastly, another crucial point is the practicality. Uniforms can simplify morning routines for parents of young students (elementary/primary), since they’re the primary outfits that they must wear.
However, there are also elements for “nay”. One of the main reasons is that they restrict students’ individuality and freedom of expression, as they cannot wear their ordinary clothes (unless there is a casual day, or another special occasion at that school). Furthermore, uniforms increase gender stereotypes. For example, in many schools, boys must wear trousers, while girls must wear skirts.
People care a lot about freedom of speech, so something as simple as school uniforms can matter a lot in people’s lives. But at the end of the day, they are just another piece of clothing. The only thing that differs them from casual ones is that they wear the badge of the school and a few specific colours. However, the points explained above mark the difference for many people.
What about you, do you prefer school uniforms, or not? Do you think they are necessary?
Works cited
“Prospective 9th Graders.” Olsh.org, 2026, www.olsh.org/apps/pages/prospective9thgraders. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
School Uniforms Australia. “SchoolUniformsAustralia.” School Uniforms Australia, 2019, www.schooluniformsaustralia.com.au/blogs/testimonial-blog-post/how-to-spend-less-on-kids-school-uniforms. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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