The "individuality" effect. Making everyone dress alike will actually create a healthier sense of individuality, because individual uniqueness would have to be shown by the inward qualities of character, personality, and talents. These now tend to be eclipsed by the outward "fashion statement." God evaluates people by their hearts and characters, not by their outward appearance. Uniforms will make everyone less conscious of the outward looks, while increasing attention on the inward personality and character, the only true source of individuality.
The "life preparation" effect. Many who oppose uniforms argue that "real life" demands the kind of creative individual expression possible only with no restrictions on dress. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Few and far-between are the occupations which allow complete freedom of choice in the area of dress. Businesses and organizations who hire employees don't demand that they dress individually, to represent themselves. They demand employees to dress appropriately, representing their employers!
From business offices to law firms, from classroom teaching to medical careers, from factories to stores to public service and private corporations, the workplace dictates the dress code! Virtually all occupations in the world demand a certain degree of uniformity of dress. Thus, the more casually and/or individually that students are allowed to dress, the less "real life" preparation for the workplace they receive. And aren't we supposed to be giving students the best preparation for life possible?
The "morale" effect. Common colors can present a united front, reacting back on the wearers with boosted morale, team spirit, and Christian unity. Examples include sports teams who are never quite as energized as when they all run out in the "team colors;" military life which thrives on the sense of orderliness, efficiency, and teamwork inspired by uniforms; choirs who match their dress styles while matching and harmonizing voices. Gangs on the street even illustrate this effect, choosing common colors to create a sense of belonging and organization. The specific reason so many schools are opting for uniforms (gang association) demonstrates the value of uniforms!
Does our school need a greater sense of unity, harmony, and morale? Uniforms can only help in this area. This could lead to a greater interest in our school from prospective students; many of the most elite secondary schools in the nation have uniforms as part of their program. And people want to join organizations which demonstrate unity, morale, and a sense of teamwork. This might be a factor in boosting enrollment.
The "simplicity" effect. You have only to ask the current staff of AUA as we strive to maintain enforcement of our relatively complex dress code, "Which would you rather have to enforce-- 5 rules or 35?" Having only one standard top and bottom for both genders, one acceptable shoe type, and a few statements regarding hair, make-up, and jewelry would be much simpler to enforce and maintain. This is above and beyond the simpler job it would be for students and parents to shop for their school clothing, not to mention how much cheaper it could be.
The "leveling" effect. Uniforms would remove some of the common teenage stresses of "sticking out," fashion-fretting, and class-consciousness. Uniforms level the socially tense peer playing field in the area of dress. For most kids this isn't a major source of depression or tension, but for the borderline cases -- young people who already feel "ugly," or outcast -- uniforms could help foster that important sense of belonging so necessary to emotional health.
I believe the best decision we as a school could make
regarding the dress code would be to make the switch to uniforms that many of
our sister schools, public and private, have already made. In any case, just
trying it for a year certainly couldn't hurt.
Jim Miles
9/25/96