Uniforms are specific clothing worn by group of people belonging to any team, institute, any organisaiton, or any office. For example, they can be worn by fire-fighters, policemen, nurses, school children., college students, etc. Uniforms can beneficial and harmful at the same time.

Firstly, uniforms are beneficial because they create team spirit. If a group is seen together in any place, wearing uniforms of the same kind, it is known that they belong together. The group that is wearing the uniform actually feels passion for the school they are in or the company they are working for. Uniforms give the feeling of unity among the members working together towards one cause.

For instance, the staff of an organisation in a uniform will be more passionate about working for their company if they are all seen together in the same uniform. Similarly, if a group of children are on a field trip, the other people who see them will recognise them to be from one school and the students will be easier to locate for the teacher as well. This is not to mention that the students will feel that they belong to their school and they will feel more kinship, as if their classmates are their brothers and sisters, all of whom they can trust.

Secondly, uniforms save a lot of precious time. This is because we do not have to choose what to wear. Otherwise, we may spend hours speculating what to wear and what not to wear, and thinking about the latest trends and designs and worrying that we do not look out of place in what we choose to wear. Uniforms mean that the choice has already been made for us and we simply have to put on the uniform. Therefore, we don’t have to choose anything and worry about fashion.

This can save time, because if we are allowed to choose what we wear then we spend hours selecting our clothes and checking if it fits in with what our friends may be choosing to wear. The time, that is wasted by students in selecting clothes, could be used in a more productive manner, such as completing their assignments or projects or helping around the house.

In addition to this, uniforms have been known to create a sense of equality because everyone is wearing the same thing. They help to bridge the gap between the classes. If students were allowed to wear whatever they wanted, then those who could not afford the latest brands or designs may feel left out and become a target of bullying. This would also reduce the confidence of the less privileged students because they would have felt inferior to the other students. Uniforms also save a lot of money since one doesn’t need to have more clothes to wear something different every day. Usually, having just two or three sets of uniform is enough to last a whole year.

Everything has both advantages and disadvantages — nothing is perfect. Uniforms are no exception too. Uniforms can be expensive. Some parents may find that the uniform costs more than their everyday clothes of children. It has to be bought only from the specific shops selling uniforms. When this is the case, uniforms become a burden on those parents who are already having trouble managing their necessary finances to buy books and stationery for a new academic year. But then this expense isn’t something that they have to bear frequently, so could be manageable.

Furthermore, uniforms can be uncomfortable at times. They are designed to fit people of all shapes and sizes, but sometimes, they are not comfortable for some people. For instance, the uniforms of security guards are usually of a very thick material and can consist of layers, which can be uncomfortable to wear in very hot weather especially in our part of the world. Neither students nor employees will be able to work well if they are in uncomfortable clothing. They will, instead of enjoying school or work, then long to go home and change out of their uncomfortable clothes.

Moreover, uniforms limit freedom of expression. It is true that adults and children can both come home and wear clothes that express their personal taste and style. Nevertheless, school and work are a large part of our day. Uniforms take away our freedom of expression at these times. Clothes are a great way of expressing ourselves and if we are all wearing the same things, then there is no sense of individuality left anymore.

Sometimes uniforms can be hard to maintain in certain sitaution. This is especially true for both school and work uniforms that are of white colour, since any dirt or stain can become easily visible on it. So maintaining some uniforms can require a lot of effort and time.

Another problem that can arise is when some mishap happens with the uniform and there is no alternate uniform available. If not managed the person would have to miss school or work until the uniform is fixed or an alternate is arranged. Going to school without a uniform is a very uncomfortable situation, where you feel the odd one out and everyone keeps staring at you.

In conclusion, uniforms can be both a blessing and a curse. However, for better or worse, most schools and some jobs do require uniforms.

Published in Dawn, Young World, August 20th, 2022