Freedom of expression

By Rosie Duff

School uniforms – some love them, some hate them. Others couldn’t care less.

The most common argument against school uniforms is that they limit personal expression. Kids and teens dress to express themselves and to identify with certain social groups. Many students who are against school uniforms argue that they lose their self-identity when they lose their right to express themselves through fashion. Indeed, in an era where schools and society are attempting to teach tolerance and positive awareness of differences, requiring schoolchildren to wear uniforms emphasizes ‘sameness’ and conformity. Uniforms reinforce the idea that being the same is positive and something to be striven for, rather than allowing for a celebration of differences and independent thought. Additionally, they can reinforce gender stereotypes and can cause an issue for children and teens who have questions about their gender identification. For example, in 2022 many female pupils are still required to wear long skirts as part of their uniform – which are hot, heavy and frankly inconvenient at the best of times.

Research has shown girls wearing sports-style uniforms are more likely to be active outside of physical education, but skirts can prevent that. “Girls who are wanting to bike to school, you can risk flashing your knickers. If you want to play on the jungle gym that’s the same thing,” says public health researcher Dr Johanna Reidy. Historically, what students can wear in class is set by schools, but the Human Rights Commission says it’s time they had guidelines to make sure the rules are more inclusive.

The guidelines compiled by the Human Rights Commission include that Māori should be able to wear pounamu instead of a tie and people shouldn’t be able to wear symbols deemed offensive like the confederate flag and a swastika. Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon says the Human Rights Commission thought it was necessary to give schools a guide, given there’s currently no legislation around school uniforms.

“The guidelines are there to support the human rights of people and also the right to education, the right to culture, the right to religion and faith, and also acknowledge the Treaty of Waitangi in action,” he says. “Generally… pounamu are for Māori - they are a cultural identity of Māori - and so under the Treaty they should actually be allowed to adorn those at school.” Some schools also force boys to cut their hair short but the Human Rights Commission’s guidelines say Māori men who have traditionally had long hair should be able to wear it that way. “The important thing is to actually allow students [to be] in a safe environment, a respectful environment that has been created by the school… and not be asked about their culture or anything like that.”