The Beauty of Uniforms: Four Benefits of a School Uniform

The Catholic School uniform is a well known image. We can go to our local parochial schools and see a sea of uniformed children filing in and out of school. I was a middle school teacher at a middle school and we had daily battles about whether or not the uniform was worth enforcing. Perhaps, the uniform is a relic of a by gone era. Perhaps, the uniform is one of the last bastions of community in a world determined to be individuals. I wish to give four benefits of a school uniform based on my time as a teacher.

Discipline and Detachment in Public Settings

The first reason is a growth of discipline and detachment. The uniform is a daily ritual to put on and take off. It is also best maintained throughout the day. A student who wears their uniform well must become a person that is conscientious of their appearance. This could be seen as a bad sign. But it is unavoidable that we are responsible to how we present ourselves to the public. A uniform trains students to handle this responsibility well.

If done well, then the students grow a detachment to being in public. In other words, they become less embarrassed to put themselves out in public. They know how to stand, to talk, to hold themselves up with respect. The rigidity of the uniform provides a foundation where a student can flourish.

Promoting our Interior Spiritual Lives

The Second reason is that if our exterior appearance are identical then our interior selves is what must differentiate us. An objection to uniforms is that it represses expression. There is some validity to this argument. However, what expression are we focusing on? What we wear? How we look? What makes us comfortable? What makes us attractive? Forgive me if I’m dismissive that these exterior expressions truly express someone’s individuality. Especially, if the exterior expression is a part of a trend that thousands if not millions of other people are doing.

The time of k-12 schooling is a significant period of growth and transformation. The most important question that all people need to answer for themselves is “who am I?” This is a question about their interior spiritual life. Some spiritual questions that are meant to help us thrive in this world and not just survive: What are our hopes, dreams, fears, strengths, ambitions, or passions? These require introspection and self reflection. Wearing uniforms eliminate exterior displays of our personality which more often than not are distractions from our interior explorations.

If we must express ourselves, then do it through the arts, writing, speech, debate, volunteering, service, or extra curricular activities. It seems a disservice to have our interior lives be expressed through accessories or a certain fashion style. Imagine where everyone is in uniform, standing in uniformity, but everyone stands out. Not because they look different, but because they are attuned to their own personal gifts and abilities. The hidden skills and talents are revealed, because discovering the mystery within ourselves is the only form of expression we are encouraged to developed in a school with uniforms.

The Sense of Community and School Pride

The third reason is uniforms build a sense of community. This reason is perhaps the most debatable. The United States is going through a divisive period of time while also preaching diversity and inclusion like never before. I would argue we have gone into an extreme of hyper individualism. Where everyone acts as solitary units and have no sense of broader community. Families are getting smaller, more people are renouncing religion, nationalism is seen as unwise, there is less long term employment in the same company, and so on. How do we connect to a broader community beyond our individual sphere of influence?

The uniform offers a way to be associated with a group larger than just ourselves. This could be seen as a bad thing. The 1900s provide a bountiful examples of racism, nationalism, and discrimination. Perhaps, the solution we are experimenting with is increasing our own sense of apathy to a group identity in order to better tolerate opposing view points. After all, riots over a football game won’t happen with people that are oblivious to the world of sports.

I argue that we need a broader community to connect with. As Average Catholics, our primary identity is being made in the image and likeness of God. This is a transcendental category that allows for a global faith. Lesser identities involve nationalities, professions, clubs, sports, hobbies, interests, or family bonds. A uniform helps people have school pride.

Which begs the question, is our schools worth being proud of? If we address this question as an individual, then it could be easy to disown any responsibility for a school’s reputation. But if we address this question as a community, then there is accountability on the individual level for problems in the school. As I said, some people are against community building that is perceived as artificial or manipulative. So, this “benefit” of a uniform could be a reason to get rid of uniforms. I believe our schools would be different in the United States if students took on a personal responsibility and accountability for how their performance and behavior impacted the school’s reputation and learning environment. Why get good grades and behave in class? Because we are a part of a bigger mission of school pride.

Uniforms are a chance for Self – Love

Have reverence for this last point. It would not surprise me if someone said that their association with the uniform is feelings of uncomfortable, trapped, restricted, or even as a prisoner. These feelings are especially stronger if the uniforms are ugly or the student has general unhappiness with school life. For the sake of argument, let us assume the uniforms are professional and are great to wear in terms of style. The uniform is supposed to be respectful. A daily uniform is meant to reinforce that respect for ourselves and for others.

One way of looking at a uniform is an obligation for self-love. Many psychologist talk about how good hygiene is important for human flourishing. A uniform enforces behaviors of cleanliness and respectable appearances. It shouldn’t be too difficult to convince someone that a person who dresses sloppily and has bad hygiene is going through a rough time. Take a shower, make your bed, clean your room, organize your schedule, etc. All of these little tasks require discipline and self-control. Why go through the effort? Because we are worthy of love.

I whole heartedly agree that uniforms should look good. Uniforms should be dressy and consider acceptable for special events and formal gatherings. That same level of decorum is therefore the daily expectation. We are worthy of being dressed up and ready for fancy occasions.

Perhaps, fancy occasions is not where we want to be or we believe it’s all fake and putting on airs. Fair enough. The special events scene is not for everyone. However, I’d argue the United States could benefit from a general raising of expectations of how to dress in public. The US Department of Transportation is trying to increase the dress code and civility at airports. https://www.travelandleisure.com/dot-urges-travelers-to-dress-better-sparks-debate-11859076. I approve of the effort.

The hyper individualism is going too far: “I dress how I want”, “I talk how I want” and “I’m just being who I am.” We must realize that we have a social obligation to be cordial and respectful. If, for no other reason, than that we are made in the image and likeness of God, then we ourselves and the people we encounter deserved to be treated with dignity and respect.

The discussion of uniforms are triggering for some people. It is received as an invasion of privacy or freedom. There is an ongoing philosophical debate in our educational system. What does it mean to have personal development and self-discovery? The last few decades has been an experiment of highly customized and personalized approaches. The uniforms represent an older time when you must keep up or be left behind. Whether or not we think such strictness is a good thing or bad thing probably reveals where we stand in the uniform debate. It is an on going discussion that will be challenged every generation. I was not raised in a school with a uniform, but I was the sweat pant kid in middle school. I probably would have benefited from being taught a higher level of dress code.