School uniforms

[Platypus]

Individuality has nothing to do with clothes, especially for teenagers, who mostly wear what they do to express unity with a particular group. Uniforms encourage school solidarity. Sure it's social engineering, but by creating a distinct sense of tribalism for all the students, you reduce motivators for bullying and foster a communal vobe. I know I always felt a little bit of pride when a group of 500 boys in black blazers would swarm south yarra station every afternoon. Those wimpy Wesley boys in purple had no chance.

There were still dividers of class and coolness, but most of these were based upon one's actions, not what you were wearing. I hated some things about school uniform - getting a detention for having your socks down if you were wearing shorts was one of the most frustrating. Seriously, who wears knee-high socks nowadays? Still, I appreciate that I was part of the MHS boys, and that I when people wanted to classify me I was sorted into that group, rather than a group based on wealth, or one of the stupid teenage subcultures.

[Platypus]

Girls are forced to always wear skirts, so it continues outdated social norms such as only men being allowed to wear pants.

True. Boys and girls should be given a pair of pants and a skirt.

We were actually allowed to wear kilts to formal events. Almost nobody ever did except the bagpiper club.



My school was slightly weird.