For context, in year 7 and 8 I went to a public school that liked to pretend to be private, where I had to wear a dress in summer and a skirt in winter and had to wear it perfectly etc. In year 9 I moved to another public school where I was allowed to wear whatever uniform I wanted (it wasn't gendered), any time of the year I wanted, and when I had sport during the day I could wear the sport uniform all day (except I just wore it every day and no one challenged me lol). At the end of last year (pretty sure, the dates are getting a bit mixed up in my head, but I'm pretty sure it was the end of last year) my school changed to optional uniform, the uniform is still there, and some people wear it, but it's mostly free dress.
I think free dress is fine. There's a few points I want to make so I'm going to number them so I don't confuse myself haha
1. Uniforms create a sense of pride.
-I really don't think they do, for the most part. Absolutely for some people, but for the people who don't want to have pride in their school, they're going to wear it badly etc. and despite teacher's best efforts I've yet to see them successfully discipline someone over it.
2. They're uncomfy.
-They're either too cold, too hot, too itchy, etc. Why not just let people wear the clothes that are comfortable for them?
3. They make everyone the same/reduce bullying based on clothes, money,etc.
-People are always going to find something to bully people for. If it's not clothes then it'll be their makeup (or lack of), it'll be their hair, it'll be their books, or their food, etc.
Additionally, without uniforms, then people end up coming to school in very distasteful clothing at times. Furthermore, some people wear super expensive clothes to school and that adds a complicated dynamic to school. It just makes it a lot more easier
PS, In areas of socioeconomic disadvantage, I can see how people who can afford pricey clothes would get branded Nike and other stuff, while not so well off people wouldn't get so much of that nice stuff. I have seen this happen in the US where class divides can get really big.
As someone who has grown up without much money, uniforms are fucking expensive! The school branded jumper at both of my schools was around $40-$50 and don't forget the blazer they made us wear! that was $100! Anyone who says that wearing uniform evens out socioeconomic issues is just lying to themselves. I'm aware that there are government grants for such things (e.g. CSEF) but they're still bloody expensive, and the voucher for uniform you get with CSEF only covers one outfit and only for people entering year 7! The most expensive piece of clothing I owned before starting high school would have been about $10. I barely owned any new clothes at all until I was 11/12. So yes, it stops people from coming to school wearing clothes of vastly different value, but I promise you the low socioeconomic kids are just getting picked on for their poor condition, several times repaired, potentially ill-fitting (hand-me-down) uniforms instead.
Oops this turned into a rant, sorryFor sure, wearing free dress
can seem harder, but I don't think it actually is. I also think this depends a bit on the school, one of the things I was worried about when my school changed to free dress was other people judging my clothes, I'm a very
lazy efficient person. If it's clean, I'll wear it. Idgaf if it's "fashion" or whatever, but really it isn't that much of an issue.