The custom of wearing a school uniform originated in England during the latter part of the 19th-century. As the Australian school system was originally set up by English colonial administrators, the first school uniforms of Australia were the same as those worn in the UK, in spite of the quite extreme temperature differences. As the decades went by, the school uniforms Australia children wore varied somewhat to the English versions; and these days Australian school uniforms tend to be more laid-back and trendy than those worn by British schoolchildren.
In Australia, just about all secondary schools require that children wear uniforms, but they are not so common in primary schools. During the 1970s a fair percentage of Australian schools began to disregard the school uniform rule, although manly assessed the situation a few years later and decided to return to mandatory school uniform rule.
As in most countries, Australian parents are divided in their opinion about whether children should have to wear a uniform to school. Those who are for school uniforms say that it cuts down on teasing and bullying; children whose parents cannot afford up to date fashionable clothes are less likely to be teased or picked on in a school where uniform is obligatory.
Parents in the pro-school uniform can also say that wearing a school uniform is good practice for when a young person enters the workforce in a job where uniform is required. They also say that children who wear school uniform have a stronger sense of identity with their school and a feeling of belonging.
Those against school uniformsAustralia laws usually claim that a uniform suppresses a child's personality and individuality, as each child appears the same. They say that school uniform increases "group think" rather than encouraging a child to think and decide for himself.
Those against school uniform claim it is very difficult financially to find the money every year to get children kitted out for school - especially for parents who several children of school age.
As a mum of three, I rather like the school uniform rule. I dread to think how the mornings would be if my children (in particular my teenage daughter) were able to wear their own clothes to school. I also think I would feel under pressure if I could not afford to buy my kids fashionable clothes for everyday wear. As it is, each child has one or two up-to-date and trendy outfits to wear the weekend, and I think that is enough for both my pocket and my sanity!
