According to the NSW Department of Education, wearing a school uniform builds a student’s self-esteem and establishes a connection to their school uniform. Not only does it create a sense of belonging, but also creates a sense of identity associated with their school community. However, new research by Trutex shows that the benefits of wearing a uniform runs deeper at a psychological level. It turns out that it has a strong influence on student behaviour!
As part of an anti-bullying campaign in the UK, a research team asked 1,318 teachers, parents and students a number of questions towards school uniforms. These are some of the results:
Teachers:
- 89% of teachers believe school uniforms play an active role in reducing bullying
- 95% of teachers say uniforms help students to fit in
- 94% of teachers believe parents and the local community and even potential students look with pride in a school where pupils wear uniforms
Parents:
- 66% of parents think wearing a school uniform puts students on a level playing field and makes their life easier
- 61% of mothers believe wearing a school uniform counteracts bullying in school, with only 11% disagreeing
- 68% of mothers believe uniforms reduce the pressure on their children to wear the latest fashion, which can be a factor in bullying
Students:
- 59% of children aged between 6 and 15 prefer to wear their own clothes to school.
- 46% admit a uniform does reduce bullying
- 68% reckon wearing a uniform helps them to fit in at school
- 36% of 15-year-olds say they would be worried if a school uniform policy was abolished
- 47% of children feel that uniforms are uncomfortable to wear
- 53% say that a uniform doesn’t allow them to express their personality
While there is a clear difference in the way students viewed their uniforms, the majority do admit that helps them fit in with their peers. The research also found that uniforms reduce bullying by making it harder for bullies to identify students they could potentially target for standing out. Uniforms also took the pressure off following fashion trends and portrayed equality, whereas free dress would highlight social and economic differences.