You know you're a grumpy old git when.....

[Willzzz]

I don't like the fact that it does inhibit each kids personal identity. Kids need to express themselves.

We don't have a right to express ourselves in any way we want at any time.

If I really expressed myself at work I'd probably get fired.
We accept that we can limit kids expressing themselves by asking them to be quiet, to sit still, to attend lessons, uniform is no different.

Kids are free to express themselves in all sorts of ways. They are free to wear what they like outside of school. They don't need to express themselves in every way possible 24/7.

Even where schools don't have formal uniforms, it doesn't mean that they can wear literally what they like. Even these 'liberal' schools will still tell pupils off for excessive piercings or skirts that are too short, etc. As a member of staff, I don't have a uniform, but I can't wear just anything to school. I'm still constrained in what I can wear.

[DanceswithUnix]

I like the fact that all having the same uniform/dress will stop bullying as those who cannot afford the latest fashion/brand well not be singled out. I remember being at school and you could easily tell who couldn't afford the latest gear. I only say this as I was one who got bullied as my parents couldn't send me to school in the latest fad clothing like everyone else was wearing.

That seems to be the crux of it. If a uniform isn't imposed, then the latest fashion will get imposed as a de-facto uniform through peer pressure and outright bullying. So I still don't see any scope for self expression, just expensive fashion clothing that isn't very well made and wouldn't last five minutes even ignoring fashion changes.

I went to a school with a fairly strict uniform policy, but learning to bend the rules ever so slightly was a lesson in itself. No-one liked the official printed polyester tie, but if you got one that was smart and the right blue colour, you got away with it. Some years before I was there a large group of kids banded together and got some woven ties made with the school logo embroidered on done as a group purchase to keep costs down. Designing something is real self expression, teamwork for the group purchase is a life skill, how could the school be anything but pleased?

[Deus]

Having 3 kids myself I think people tend not to give them enough credit. At the age of 3 or 4 I can see that mine know the difference between the important stuff and the stuff they can 'bend'.

As such I don't think this is a lesson that they strictly need as they won't really benefit from it.

It reminds me of a colleague who insists that he performs better when he dresses smart and therefore everyone else should dress the same. This raises serious questions for me. I consider it a personal failure if clothes had the ability to significantly change my performance.

But I accept that everyone is different and this is just my perspective. Which comes back to the importance of non-conformity.

[Zak33]

I gotta assume this thread came back up to the top because a similar situation occurred on the news last week where a head teacher sent a load of students home to redress and arrive correctly attired

Did I cheer again? Yup...MORE SO...

becaue sat behind me now is a 9 year old in the car, going to school in a specific uniform that IS deterring kids from trying to out shine each other in the "coolest trainers" or baddest sweatshirt

Uniform does a job. The job is effective and efficient.

Like learning to drive.. no matter HOW fast you'll be on a race track in 3 years time... it's all about learning the rules NOW and then, later.. you can adapt.

For my son...wearing a RED sweatshirt with 29 other kids in RED sweatshirts in his class is NOT hampering his creative flow!
Nor is wearing black non trainer shoes.

If I had my way I'd ban Velcro too. from Yr 5.. cos the lazy little get still prefers that to laces. If the head techer insisted on Laces by now, EVERY child would tie laces...second nature. But they don't. So nor does he.

Weak parenting AND weak school leadership.

[Ferral]

My 15 year old step son this morning stated he wasn't going to school today, told him he was and he started acting out, so we took his xbox and mobile phone off him and he started smashing the house up.

Needless to say the police were called and he was given a caution and if he does it again he will be getting arrested.

So being the grumpy old git as per thread title we are so very tired of the abusive self centred lazy nature of teens today (in all fairness not all teens but the police did state that things like this are becoming more common).

[Spreadie]

If my 15 year old started smashing the house up, I'd put a hammer through his xbox and mobile and every other gadget, one by one, and he'd go without until he could afford to replace them himself. Thankfully, he's a decent kid - He still gets a bit lippy once in a while, because he is a teenager afterall, but we've all been there.

[Ttaskmaster]

Forcing uniform on them stifles their expression and creativity. Sending them home means they're not getting any education...
But pandering to the expressive creatives breeds special little snowflakes who think they're entitled to the world on a plate and the moon on a stick.

Rock and a hard place, really.
I grew up with strict uniform, so I don't have a problem with it.

[Smudger]

Going back to the original post, I found myself getting annoyed with someone driving in front who was leaning towards the middle of the car, all the time. I thought 'what sort of git does that?'

[DanceswithUnix]

Thankfully, he's a decent kid - He still gets a bit lippy once in a while, because he is a teenager afterall, but we've all been there.

I think teens have a built in need to find *something* to rebel against. Thankfully with my son it seems to be about keeping his room tidy. Being told to tidy it he pushes back *really* hard against that, but he is the one living in a tip and it isn't that destructive so there could be worse ways for him to choose.

Edit: I might be a bit harsh there, the local tip is actually run rather well and it seems unfair to compare their professional attitude to the knee deep mess my son maintains