You are what you're made to wear, yeah?

Much is being (has been, perhaps, because in Malta something is mentioned then it duly disappears) said regarding changes in school uniforms. It's a story that never dies: who gets the supplying contract, the ridiculous expense, what accessories must be worn; the list goes on and on. It's an extra burden on frustrated parents and a very stressful inconvenience for children who have to report back to their parents every time the headmistress reprimands them about their socks being a shade too dark or their hair ribbon being too thick. We're not joking - our school days are not that far behind us and we remember these sad incidents very vividly.

What we can't really understand is not quite why they are thinking of opting for "a generic uniform" - that is really beside our point. What we hated back then and still can't get our heads round is: why do children have to wear uniforms? OK, we know the cliché reasons given by everyone - but to be quite honest, we think they're lame.

Reason 1: It is convenient for children not to have to worry about what to wear for school in the morning. Yeah, that's exactly what's stressing children out nowadays - choosing outfits everyday. And before you say that it's extra work for the parents - allowing children to select their daily outfits may strengthen their decision-making skills and give them a sense of responsibility. Sometimes parents, especially Maltese ones, tend to be over-bearing. Our advice to these parents (lest we're accused of complaining without suggesting anything) would be: Back Off! (Well, if you then see that the outfit they have picked is not adequate, you could easily teach them a thing or two about what's good and not - or is that too much of a burden, too?)

Reason 2: Uniforms protect the unwealthy who can't afford 'cool' or designer clothing. Firstly, 'cool' clothing can be found at a very cheap price nowadays - no, not necessarily at the market (even though we hear that it's terribly improved, and technically, let's-buy-cool-clothes-for-a-song has become the latest trend!). Secondly, if it were to arise, this problem wouldn't surface before secondary school - at which age, if used to wearing regular clothes to school, adolescents will have learnt that clothing isn't quite everything - yes, the earlier you get accustomed to something the earlier you start to disregard it. Moreover, clothes is certainly not the first thing that sets the 'wealthy' and the 'not-so-wealthy' apart. Smartphones, tablets, handheld 'video' games... the list goes on and on. You get our drift.
                    Besides, this kind of reasoning that unfortunately plagues the island holds no water, really. In reality the same people that you dearly want to protect in schools (that's the pretext many use anyway) will eventually also see each other outside that very safe environment. Yes, they will meet outside - and there too can be discriminated against... but then, you know, the next day at school all of that will be forgotten. That wouldn't happen, though, if such a fuss wasn't made about clothing.

Reason 3: Wearing a uniform makes children more disciplined. We hate to burst your bubble, but forcing children and teens into a uniform won't make them more disciplined. That uniform isn't helping much against, say, bullying, is it? And that's merely to give an example. The reasons are two-fold:

A. It is education (and parenthood) that will instill a sense of discipline in children. Also, enforcing a dress-code may nudge children into being disciplined while they maintain their individuality. Forcing them into a uniform will only make them resent any type of conformity, which leads us to our next point;

B: Chances are that the more children are forced into doing things, the more rebellious they will turn out to be. Cases in point are Maltese children. Ever noticed their euphoric use of the trashiest clothes they can get their hands on when they get the chance to wear what they want? How about the Christmas parties that schools hold ever year? Or the so-called "Casual days"? You will probably have noticed that on such days children try to impress one another (usually with their parents' blessing), hence their dressing up to the nines for a 'casual' day. This, albeit you may laugh at it, is indicative of what will happen in the years to come. If you still think this is baloney, then we suggest you pay Paceville a visit. The more you ban something, the more they'll want it; crave it. The sooner people realise this, the better. Really.

So please, save everyone the hassle and do away with these awful uniforms. They're not helping in any way and making uniforms 'generic' across the board might - (we don't think so) - solve a couple of problems but will give rise to an array of new ones, too.