Last week, a Texas middle school’s decision to ban its students from wearing head-to-toe black because the look is “associated with depression and mental health issues” went viral. The drastic measure has not only sparked a backlash, but also a conversation around school uniforms; a vexed issue in Australia, where they are compulsory in most schools. There are many reasons school uniforms are implemented, says Dr Victoria Rawlings, whose research at the University of Sydney focuses on the connections between gender, sexuality, youth and social structures.
“In terms of identity, some argue that having students wear the same clothing can contribute to a sense of school identity and patriotism,” she says. “Beyond schools, they can be used by members of the public to identify where kids are from in case something goes wrong.” But are uniforms the great equaliser many people assume them to be? According to experts, it depends.
Advocates for uniforms believe they make differences in socio-economic status between students less obvious. Credit: Getty Images Do school uniforms aid equality? Advocates argue that wearing a uniform instils a sense of belonging in students, as well as masking socio-economic differences. “It can reduce peer pressure to be super-trendy or wear something really expensive,” says Dr Catriona Davis McCabe, psychologist and president of the Australian Psychological Society.
“There can be bullying related to socio-economic status, which can lead to a lot of stress for young people.” But things aren’t necessarily that simple. According to Rawlings, while uniforms mean students don’t need to consider what outfits they need to invest in each day, there are still many ways class can be put under the microscope.
Shoes, backpacks and accessories can all reflect socio-economic status, especially when uniforms themselves can already be some of the priciest school items, with private school uniforms costing upwards of $700 annually, if not more..
