Should he be allowed to go to school with this hairstyle?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail....lishment-mohican.html

/// I would feel ridiculous without it, it makes me an individual. All my mates like it and some want it too.' ///

Yes a ridiculous individual it would seem.

[pa___ul3]

ok so one of the key arguments of the pro-uniform gang is that it stops kids from being judged / bullied 'because they can't wear designer labels'.
Well askyourgran kind of destroyed that argument by saying how because the lad was in a uniform too big for him then it must be that his parent can't afford to keep buying him uniforms!
Also, that happens anyway with uniforms when kids have more expensive shoes / coats / bags etc. so that argument's moot.
Now, if we were to consider that, maybe the reason these kids are so hung up on showing off designer clothes etc is because they very rarely get the chance to because they're in uniform, so they make real effort whenever they can whereas if they wore there own clothes 24/7 then they'd be less inclined to make any kind of special attempt to glam up or put on a front.
How many students walk around in super expensive designer gear?
How many foreign students to you see wandering round on tours in very casual, non-designer clothes?
I think that's that argument safely pushed aside!

[Kromovaracun]

@NJ - thanks for the info re: Home schooling. Honestly didn't know.

I'm sure people aren't that interested in my experience at school, so I won't dwell on it, but just for the record - I didn't rebel. I did my best to conform just for survival's sake, could never really work it out and was all the more miserable for it.

"But we were too busy learning and enjoying all the other things that went with our time at school to worry about what haircut we had. "

With regard to this point, it does make me think education would probably be much simpler if kids still thought like that. Unfortunately, however, they're influenced by wider culture in ways that we can't really control, and today it -is- something they care about. But that's not necessarily anything particularly destructive, it's just change.

[LoftyLottie]

Agreed Paul. The rich stand out from the poor in uniforms more than in casual gear where things are levelled out. Most students prefer casual scruffy anyway, and not designer gear. Designer gear is usually bought by the less well off anyway in my experience.

I hated wearing a uniform, I certainly can't remember feeling proud wearing it and don't remember my peers feeling proud either. We did all we could to make it look less like a school uniform. I might have stayed in 6th form if it wasn't for having to wear a uniform. Fortunately now a great deal of 6th forms don't have uniforms - progress!!!

And Doc. What was silly about mentioning 100 years ago, I was only trying to prove that if things aren't thought about and questionned society doesn't move forward.

[LoftyLottie]

I would point out that I am not against uniforms when they are necessary for recognition, i.e. civil and military services, people who the public need to identify.

I also think that a lot of people that dislike school might like it a lot more without having to wear outdated clothing - and to my mind most school uniforms and very non functional and outdated and not in the least practical for school wear.

[LoftyLottie]

By the way, I left the sixth form and went to college instead. I did achieve excellent O level results in spite of hating the school environment.

[pa___ul3]

I agree with uniform where recognistion is required, but that, to me, is the only truly strong case for uniforms.
We didn't wear uniform in our sixth form college, you saw how everybody made a real effort to look cool for the first few months before it kind of died off.

[LoftyLottie]

Quite so Paul, and when it comes to sports teams, and other school activities (choirs, school bands etc) then sports kits, etc. will show what school you attend.

[pa___ul3]

which could, in turn, build the pride in representing your school. i.e. when you see Uni students that are never out of their "University of Liverpool Rugby Team" hoodies! But I suppose there's a lot that makes sense to those who are willing to open their eyes to alternative possibilities.

[LoftyLottie]

Yep ;o)

(Like realising Paul that boys learn differently from girls, especially as they get older and need a different teaching approach eh, ;o) ? )

[ludwig]

I've been quite impressed by some of the arguments on here so this morning I turned up at the office in some garish bermuda shorts.

My boss told me to go home and change, even after I explained he needed to open himself up to new ideas and was repressing the basic right to express my individuality. What a fascist.

I thought I'd better change anyway though, cos I 've got a mortgage to pay.

[LoftyLottie]

Bit cold for bermuda shorts though Ludwig.

[ladybirder]

LOL Ludwig.

[LoftyLottie]

I think we all have to agree to differ on this!! :o)

[LoftyLottie]

(But I still don't think that the majority of kids are proud of their school or their school uniform - Not only did I go to school, I also worked in them and it pride wasn't very evident)

[NOX]

Agreed lottie. kids will be proud of an institution to which they belong, if they feel, valued for who they are, respected and encouraged to fulfil thyemselves- if they aren't then they won't and i don't see too many schools with that ethos tbh.
With regards to your comment about my kids turning out okay squad- I'm so sorry that upsets you so much, but it's the truth, perhaps you think i ought to encourage them to do a spot of drug dealing or beat the odd old lady up to make your silly remark have some merit.

[anotheoldgit]

LoftyLottie

/// and to my mind most school uniforms and very non functional and outdated and not in the least practical for school wear. ///

Since most of today's school uniforms seem to consist of an open necked sports shirt, worn with trousers for boys and either trousers or a skirt for girls, I cannot possibly see how they can be classed as 'non functional' 'outdated' or not 'practical'.

[pa___ul3]

from what I've seen AOG, that's only primary school, all senior schools around here have blazers / ties etc. Which cause their own problems in the summer. At least if you have to wear a suit for work it's acceptable to walk around with your jacket off if you're too hot, they wouldn't let us in our school!

[LoftyLottie]

AOG, A selection of some of Norfolk's high schools showing their uniform.



http://www.wymondhamh...ads/general/Dress.pdf

http://www.aldermanpeel.norfolk.sch.uk/

http://www.hamondshighschool.co.uk/

http://springwoodhigh....uk/index.php/uniform

[LoftyLottie]

Not practical all all or comfortable to wear. Ties Yuk!!

[pa___ul3]

I don't even have to wear ties to work any more, I'll wear one now and again if I'm going to meetings, other than that I wear one for the rugby club dinner and that's it!
And in reality, ties on schoolkids look terrible! Usually either tatty little skinny ends or just 3 inch stumps hanging from their necks with massive knots! They look 10 times worse than any mohawk... but as long as the kids are obeying the rules....