Don't Know Much About History

Twenty percent of public school in the United Stated implemented school uniforms int he 2013-2014 school year. School uniforms continue to grow in popularity, even among public schools. They have turned into a way to prevent bullying in schools and promote individuality in ways other than their outward appearance. School uniforms help not only the school, but also the students who wear those uniforms. 

School uniforms started in the 19^th century in charity schools in the United Kingdom. Those uniforms were donated by community members and they started being used in schools to promote school pride and patriotism in the country. School uniforms continue to promote unity among the student bodies and they force students to form friendships based solely on the personalities of their peers, rather than allowing the wealth of their peers to influence their opinions. In the United States, schools began using school uniforms during the industrial age to connect the schools to industrialization, capitalism, and show the schools’ national loyalty. Some schools used them to show religion or maintain tradition. The uniforms promoted formality, self-discipline, and patriotism. In recent years, school uniforms more commonly appear in private schools, but the public schools that they appear in tend to reside in cities and more kids attending the schools with uniforms tend to qualify for free and reduced price lunches (Fast Facts). The schools want to make all their students equal to their peers and uniforms allow for their equality. Uniforms make everyone equal, which helps students to focus on their schoolwork, rather than their or their peers’ clothes.