Can a uniform change school behavior?
Liz Atwood reports on an interesting experiment with her own school dress code this Tween Tuesday:
Just two weeks left of school and I’m trying to encourage my boys to hang in there and do their best for just a bit longer. The older one, who will be heading off to high school, admits he has a serious case of “senioritis.” The third grader has become acquainted with the principal and assistant principal in the past couple weeks due to his poor behavior. I was so exasperated with him that I had the idea to change his wardrobe in an effort to improve his attitude. Our school doesn’t require uniforms, but we have lots of school “spirit wear”—polo shirts with the school’s emblem on the pocket that we bought and have been given by neighbors. I thought that by dressing the younger one in something of a uniform—school polo shirt and khaki or blue shorts, he would understand that he was going off to work—just as I dress professionally when I go off to work—and he would behave more appropriately.
The first week went OK and, actually, he seemed to do better in school. I have no idea whether the clothing made the difference, but I was encouraged. However, this week, he refused to wear the improvised uniform, saying he didn’t want to look like a “geek.” So I gave in and sent him to school in a T-shirt and shorts.
I know studies have shown there are advantages and disadvantages to school uniforms. Do you think how a student dresses makes a difference in how they do in school? Should I go back to requiring our pseudo uniform until school lets out for the summer?
Comments
I really don't think it does. I attended private school with uniforms through 5th grade, and even though everyone wore the same clothes, it was still cliquey and everyone knew who the rich kids were anyway. I think it made it easier for my mom though. There's a Baltimore City high school near my work though, and we see the kids from there all the time. Their "uniform" consists of wearing certain colors, but they don't have to have all the same clothes. And all the kids look different.
If your school doesn't have uniforms, I wouldn't continue to make him wear the shorts and polo. Like he said, it'll make him stand out and not necc. in a good way.
Posted by: Kayris | June 8, 2010 10:21 AM
I don't think any gimmick works as well as simply giving a child the attention and support he or she needs to get through a difficult period in his/her school life. By this, I mean spening more time than you normally would with your child in general, and asking what you can do to help with homework (helping quiz before tests, proofreading, maybe just sitting with the child while s/he does homework). Ask in a non-accusatory way if things have changes at school, if something is bothering the child, if the child wants you to advocate for him/her about something with the school. Is the pressure of the upcoming break just too much, and maybe a treat like going to a movie on a school night would help? I think old-fashioned parenting is the best answer to the problem.
If the school doesn't have uniforms, making a child wear a quasi-uniform of your own devising may feel like more of a punishment than anything else.
Posted by: Baltomommie | June 8, 2010 3:17 PM
I think the only thing a uniform does is eliminate the daily battle of what they can and can't wear to school today. Too cold for shorts, you can't wear that b/c it doesn't match, has a hole, etc. My daughter is only 4 and we ahve been have clothes battles for over a year now. I dread 14 when she sneaks a change of clothes into her backpack to change at school to what I didn't approve of. :(
Posted by: Holly | June 14, 2010 4:27 PM
I can personally say, it is not the attire, but the attitude that will make you feel responsible for your actions and reactions. All of my children who are in Baltimore City Public Schools wear uniforms and they still act the way they act. Good and bad, I hold them accountable, and I don't have time to keep running up to the school; that means I will have to handle that business at home.
Posted by: Hope Jackson | June 17, 2010 1:59 PM
I think that school uniforms are a great idea, going off to "work" etc.. But it's only a good idea if all the students have the same dress code.
Posted by: Leslie | June 27, 2010 9:27 PM
I'm a 3rd grade teacher at a school that has a uniform policy. The uniforms in of themselves don't improve behavior, but they are part of a larger effort to create a professional and orderly atmosphere. If the school does a good job at creating a positive behavior plan, then the uniforms can definitely aide in the process.
http://www.studentbehavior.org/
Posted by: Dustin | July 9, 2010 2:06 PM