School Uniform or Not ?

Long before the current trials in some public schools in France, we had already settled the question. It’s true that France does not have a strong tradition of school uniforms, unlike much of the rest of the world, and particularly our British neighbors.

Yet, the advantages are numerous, as shown by many sociological studies and the persistence of uniforms in the school environment.

For the children:

First and foremost, a uniform meets a natural need of the child: to develop a sense of belonging. With or without a mandatory uniform, children tend to dress alike. Thus, they feel part of the same whole, the same community sharing values, habits, and common interests.

A school uniform meets this need by refocusing values on those of the school, creating a community of sharing, life moments, joy, and work. The spirit of exclusion disappears. Cohesion is strengthened.

According to François Bowen, a researcher at the University of Montreal, the sense of belonging has a double advantage. It is considered both a “phenomenon that promotes academic success,” by reducing stress and enhancing concentration in students and by increasing self-esteem.

From this fulfilled need for belonging, many other benefits follow: the uniform nurtures the sense of the collective and encourages team spirit. A uniform is somewhat like a sports team jersey, symbolizing unity, pride, and solidarity.

The uniform also promotes the expression of one’s personality. Despite criticisms that uniforms anonymize children, they actually increase their creativity, allowing them to think about how to express themselves in ways other than through brand-name or eccentric clothes…