Do uniforms smother creativity?

I am curious as to the views of others on this subject, I have found myself understanding both sides of an issue, but I'd like some input from my contemporaries.

How would you feel about school uniforms? Around here, alot of pressure is on the youth to wear the ever-expensive styles and outdo each other, and while uniforms can help eliminate fads and style competitions, it also smothers creative expression and other parts so crucial to the development of a well rounded individual.

What do you guys think???

Hi DarkChylde,

As a parent, my vote is in favour of the uniform .

Most Australian schools (public and private) have a mandatory uniform. In addition to being cheaper and more practical for parents, they tend to improve behaviour on the way to and from school because the wearer can be easily identified. It can reduce the tendency for kids to spend a lot of time in a shopping mall before coming home for example. I dont think it follows that a uniform of itself reduces creativity. Perhaps the opposite case could be argued, that "style competitions" may cause kids to pay less attention to their school work.

Mark

I don't think alot of people are creative with the clothes they wear, anyway. But that's not necessarily true.
It seems we wear uniforms as it is, to define ourselves as "something". Official Uniforms may be able to increase solidarity. Anyways, The Gospel of Thomas clearly states, not to worry what you wil wear, or what you will eat. And how 'bout those lilies of the field.

Excellent point, Brother Thomas. I see thier merit, but also see the dangers of forcing conformity.

Very true, Iam, but you know how worried the young ones are about the presentation of the 'ol skin suit. I was too, at that age, without better guidance at the time.

I just wonder where the line should be drawn, at such a critical time of self-development when it is good to let one express oneself, and to learn to be the individual, the 'one', but where does that self-expression become a style competition (with the one with the richest parents usually being the winner) and planting a crop of fashion victims.

I must admit some division on my views of this subject still....

uniforms are an excellent idea.most of the clothes today for young girls are inappropriate,and disgusting when there thongs hang out. it will keep the focuse off there bodies and in to studies where they belong. i see girls come to school when i drop my kids off and wonder if the parents know or care there 14 year old daughter lookes like a whore? it makes me sad that i cannot seem to find clothes for my 8 year old daughter that are not gatherd and puckerd in the chest area, i have even seen thongs in her tiny girl size?why? what purpose does that serve? to give child molesters more to be gross about in there thoughts?
there is even a brand of bratz babie dolls that come dressed in lingre why?

DC.... That as theeter not me...Just the Gospel of Thomas.
I myself detest uniforms in any form, except maybe the Boy scouts which has a view of Honor and Helpfullness to them when seen.
If dressing is the only thing that holds a child to a sexual moral concept, then thats not saying much for Parental Nurturing and Family pride. I was not rich growing up in school and only could try in my own way to be me with what ever cloths I could make available, By living within my means which was the way of the family also, and still very proud of who I was in the face of all this color diversity in cloths I seen every day.
This builds a sence of character with a child of acepting who you are, but also seeing others like you, relitively in the same fashion sence Being None LOL...that I found to also have the same values as me, so this is a plus actually.
Please give more credit to your children for using the Values you teach them between Love of things or love of God and people. They are only going to have to learn it in the real world which is how it is afterwards right. Why do Parents have fear of this if your teaching is sound and of God.

I was an alter boy, catholic school for 3 years, navy for 4 years. I wish it on no one.. ever

Just living opinion from a childs point of view.

Brother Thomas

sopherim7 wrote:uniforms are an excellent idea.most of the clothes today for young girls are inappropriate,and disgusting when there thongs hang out. it will keep the focuse off there bodies and in to studies where they belong. i see girls come to school when i drop my kids off and wonder if the parents know or care there 14 year old daughter lookes like a whore? it makes me sad that i cannot seem to find clothes for my 8 year old daughter that are not gatherd and puckerd in the chest area, i have even seen thongs in her tiny girl size?why? what purpose does that serve? to give child molesters more to be gross about in there thoughts?
there is even a brand of bratz babie dolls that come dressed in lingre why?

Beleive me, Sopherim, I KNOW what you mean. And what really wads my panties is that women who dress this way and promote such 'fashions' actually THINK they are 'empowered'!!! GRRRR! That is NOT empowerment, but a new form of slavery, and a purely voluntary one as well. Yeah, I wanna be an 'empowered' sex kitten with no mind and only a body and only for the pleasing of some man.(Sarcasm) And while my youngest likes the Bratz dolls, I tell her what I think of women who indulge in such things, and how they are not only NOT empowered but give away any power they have in order to be found 'sexy'. (I would indulge in a a bad word here, but for the sake of my good friend Bob I will decline.) I let her have and play with them (I don't buy them for her but she buys them with her money and I just express what I feel about them.) She has alot to learn, but when I let her watch the movie 'Stepford Wives' she came to understand how presenting yourself in that fashion is hardly empowering herself. My oldest liked the damn things but she can't stand them now, and calls them 'Craptz.' Heh heh. So if I give my littlest time, she will figure it out too.

That having been said, we cannot take the responsibilility on ourselves for men. It is not the fault of the girl who dresses seductively when she gets raped, it IS the fault of the rapist and none other. Religion has let men think it is OUR fault that they are walking hard-ons and it isn't, it is not our fault that they are rampantly lustful, but they will push that (among other things) on us and use the Bible (or Koran, or whatever) to justify such reasonings. I should be able to be buck naked taking a joy ride on a hood ornament, and if I tell a guy 'don't touch' he should control himself. So don't let the pediphiles off the hook, Let them shoulder the blame thier own issues, not lay it on thier victims.
For example, the Mormons that got raided recently in Texas- THEY don't dress seductively yet pediphilic rape seems commonplace.

Religion tells men it is the fault of the woman that he desires, and if he can't control himself it is her fault, so the responsibility lies with her to not tempt him. Bullshit. But then again, religion lets men off the hook rather than create an environment of accountability.

Prism1111 wrote:DC.... That as theeter not me...Just the Gospel of Thomas.
I myself detest uniforms in any form, except maybe the Boy scouts which has a view of Honor and Helpfullness to them when seen.
If dressing is the only thing that holds a child to a sexual moral concept, then thats not saying much for Parental Nurturing and Family pride. I was not rich growing up in school and only could try in my own way to be me with what ever cloths I could make available, By living within my means which was the way of the family also, and still very proud of who I was in the face of all this color diversity in cloths I seen every day.
This builds a sence of character with a child of acepting who you are, but also seeing others like you, relitively in the same fashion sence Being None LOL...that I found to also have the same values as me, so this is a plus actually.
Please give more credit to your children for using the Values you teach them between Love of things or love of God and people. They are only going to have to learn it in the real world which is how it is afterwards right. Why do Parents have fear of this if your teaching is sound and of God.

I was an alter boy, catholic school for 3 years, navy for 4 years. I wish it on no one.. ever

Just living opinion from a childs point of view.

Brother Thomas

OOPS! My bad, sorry, I meant that for Mark. (Getting cross posted here, methinks.)

Oh, I gotta give my kids alot of credit, they have a handle on things WAY better than I did (tho growing up an environment of free thinking while still considering the thoughts and feelings of others helps, I think. I grew up in very controlling and restrictive environment, full of constant critism and judgement.) and at a WAY earilier age, too. But I feel for those still trapped in the slavery of their own denial.

You are just a big kid, Brother Thomas, ain't cha?? I love that about you, btw, so don't ever change.