I am a mother of four children, three are school age. I have never ever liked the school uniform anyway, even when I was at school. When I put across the debate that school uniform was an act of institutionalization and took away the identity and individualism of a child, I was told " rubbish!". I was told it was to make everyone the same and so other children with less did not get picked on for having no money.
Where does this fail? Well, in so many areas, but here are some.
Children with money wear the uniform but then add £100 trainers to their outfit and rip the crap out of the unfortunate that are wearing trainers from the market or cheaper shops.
Bags and coats from richer children are sported with pride, whilst children that have little money have to sport cheaper bags.
That in itself seems to invalidate the whole idea and argument for a school uniform to me. But now I have a new reason, as a grown adult.
Paying for my own children's uniforms, that are all under 10 years old up to yet, and High school uniforms include more expensive items. Whilst purchasing this years uniforms I was fueled in my hatred for the uniform by the cost of things such as the logo'd jumpers and cardigans at almost £20 each, when I could buy 4 jumpers of non school uniform for that. Even branded, because I search for deals.
How is it helpful to us low income families to make us pay 4 times more for a jumper that we are told we must buy?