Causes for parents’ and pupils’ apparent dissatisfaction with the school uniforms in two selected secondary schools in Botswana, namely Ledumang and Gabarone Secondary Schools were investigated. In Botswana, school uniforms are compulsory in all government secondary schools (Internet, Ledumang Senior Secondary School:1). In the year 2003, approximately 160,690 pupils attended secondary schools in Botswana in the 232 secondary schools at the time (Internet, Ministry of Education:1; National Development Plan 9, 2003:287, 288). Weitzel (2004:13) defines a school uniform policy as a policy that states what the pupils must wear and a school dress code policy as a standard of “aesthetic appearance” stating what the pupils are not permitted to wear while at school. It is general practice for the secondary school uniforms to be chosen by the Parents’ Teachers Associations (PTA) or School Board of Governors at a specific school (Corbin, 1999:1; Botswana Education Act, 1967:4). School uniforms are currently supplied by various retailers such as K.M. Dressmaking in the Bontleng mall in Gaborone; Woolworths, Kopano Stores, Cash Bazaar, Ackermans, and Pep Stores as well Taku-Taku that stock the black flat shoes and socks. Parents or guardians are usually advised where to buy the school uniforms. At present there is free trade and lack of quality standards for textiles in Botswana: no quality assurance exists for school uniforms. As at the time of this research, the BOBS (Botswana Buro of Standards) draft was still at an embryonic stage. School uniform manufacturers therefore due to free trade, may buy any fabric to produce uniforms as opposed to definite SABS standards that exist for school uniforms in the Republic of South Africa. The concern then is that of consumers who already experience financial constraints may be negatively affected by school uniforms of inferior quality. Inferior quality may contribute to frequent requests for replacement of school uniforms by needy pupils. Apart from problems that may be related to the use of textiles of inferior quality (Kincade, Giddings&Chen-Yu, 1998:84), dissatisfaction with school uniforms may be caused by the psychological meanings attached to clothes (Dittmar&Cox, 1995:239), for example objections to the style and color of chool uniforms as well as a psychological objection to prescribed dress and limited choice in general. Due to personal experience as a teacher and a notion that dissatisfaction with school uniforms exists, it seemed necessary to investigate parents’ and pupils (girls) satisfaction/dissatisfaction with girls’ school uniforms to identify existing problems. This will enable the researcher to suggest amendments to improve the situation. Data was collected through structured questionnaires. The respective Parent Teacher Associations (PTA’s) were involved (n=10). to complete a questionnaire that contained questions pertaining to quality standards used, school uniform selection procedures and general monitoring processes. PTA members were also asked to comment on pupils’ expectations and satisfaction with school uniforms. Parents/guardians and pupils in forms four and five were recruited for participation (n=105): they filled in a second questionnaire jointly. Questions evolved around their buyer behavior regarding school uniforms; their use of extrinsic and intrinsic quality cues to judge the quality of garments; expectations regarding the durability and performance of the school uniforms and problems experienced with school uniforms. The questionnaires primarily provided quantitative data that was analyzed through descriptive statistics. A few open questions were included to allow respondents to express their views about existing uniforms without much limitation and to provide opportunity for suggestions to improve problem surrounding their school uniforms. The results showed that the majority of parents and pupils always used certain intrinsic and extrinsic quality cues during the pre purchase evaluation of school uniforms. Intrinsic cues included aspects relevant to fit, while extrinsic factors referred to the appearance and texture of the fabric, the service of the supplier, neatness of construction and the functioning of the fasteners. Although up to 50% of the respondents indicated that they always consulted the labels of school uniforms for specific information (specifically colorfastness, care instructions, brand) this information was unfortunately not always present. Responses indicated that extrinsic cues were more often used as an indication of quality than intrinsic cues. Dissatisfaction with school uniforms was attributed to problems that relate to textile of inferior quality, poorly constructed garments as well as fit problems: color fading, variation in the color at point of purchase, loose buttons and unfinished seams were reported. The fact that the majority had to do some repairs to uniforms within the first six months, indicate that urgent measures are required to deliberate and set definite quality standards for the manufacturers and suppliers. In terms of the style of school uniforms, respondents complained that uniforms were not suitable for winter, that they would like some leniency, i.e. having a choice of what to wear (skirts or trousers or dresses). Responses indicated that respondents’ expectations regarding how long school uniforms should last, were not unrealistic. PTA members of both schools were unfortunately not aware of the non-existence of standards for school uniforms. Nor were they aware of the problems that parents and pupils experienced on a daily basis. Although parents’ view regarding the suitability of the school uniforms did not coincide with the views of their daughters, certain problems can be overcome through well-formulated quality standards and some lenience in terms of what pupils are allowed to wear. Results were discussed within the systems perspective, which clearly indicated that although parents and pupils were not totally dissatisfied with school uniforms, certain elements of the school uniforms required urgent improvement. Collaboration with the SA Buro of Standards that already has quality standards for school wear in place, was suggested / Dissertation (MConsumer Science)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Consumer Science / unrestricted

Thesis (M. Tech. (Fashion, Dept. of Visual Arts and Design)) -- Vaal University of Technology. / INTRODUCTION: Supporters of school uniforms argue that uniforms serve as a social and economic equaliser, reducing competition regarding clothing and reducing demands on parents to buy expensive, trendy clothes. Other benefits mentioned are functionality, time saving, appearance, safety, and improved academic standards and behaviour. Opponents of school uniforms differ maintaining that compulsory uniform infringes on learners’ constitutional rights to self-expression. The problem statement encompasses the desirability and viability of obligatory school uniforms in South Africa. AIM: The broad aim of this study is to determine the perspectives of parents, learners and educators at public schools in Vanderbijpark on obligatory school uniforms. METHODOLOGY: A structured questionnaire was used to gather data. Section 1 comprised general information, section 2 dealt with the advantages and disadvantages of obligatory school uniforms and section 3 contained options for more trendy school uniforms. A random stratified sample of learners in two grade 10 classes and their parents and educators was chosen from four selected schools. RESULTS: Most of the parents were between 41 and 45 years of age, by far the majorities was white, nearly a quarter had a diploma/certificate and another quarter a degree, nearly three-quarters were married or traditionally married, and nearly a third spent R901-R1200 per year on school uniforms. Most parents and educators and nearly two-thirds of the learners were highly in favour of school uniforms. Regarding the advantages and disadvantages of eight factors with reference to obligatory school uniforms as perceived by parents, learners and educators, the educators rated seven of the eight factors higher than parents and learners did, while parents rated the same factors higher than learners did, implying that learners were the least positive. The order in which they ranked the advantages was often the same or similar. They all ranked the competition aspect first, the academic aspect seventh and the economic aspect eighth, while functionality was ranked either third or fourth. Regarding preferences for more trendy uniforms, three-quarter pants and sandals were rated very low in popularity. All the stakeholders were in favour of the more traditional pants, shirt and proper shoes for both boys and girls, with a slightly more informal jacket instead of the traditional blazer.

The study focused on the role of members of the School Management Team (SMT) regarding the manner in which they implement the policy on mandatory school uniform in Swaziland schools. The main question guiding the study was: To what extent is the learners’ right to human dignity protected when teachers enforce the wearing of compulsory school uniforms in Swaziland schools? A qualitative case study approach was employed with empirical data collected using interviews with the SMT members of three schools in the Manzini and Lubombo regions of the Kingdom of Swaziland, as well as an analysis of each of the school official documents. The interviews and the analysis of the documents were aimed at determining the compliance of each school‘s strategy with the Constitution of the Kingdom of Swaziland, and all international conventions regarding the protection of children’s right to human dignity in schools. Data was analysed in accordance with acceptable procedures for processing the qualitative data. The researcher’s conclusion based on the data gathered and from the body of literature consulted, presented evidence that suggests that the rights of learners to human dignity is not well-protected in the three schools that participated in the study. Poor learners continue to suffer the humiliation of being undressed of clothing such as jerseys that they wear to school because it is not the prescribed school uniform and is unacceptable. Some suffer corporal punishment because their parents cannot afford to buy them the full prescribed school uniform. Poverty remains a serious challenge to implementing the mandatory school uniform policy. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / tm2015 / Education Management and Policy Studies / MEd / Unrestricted

The beginning of the twenty-first century found American society sharply divided and American culture in the midst of tumult; the driving forces behind these changes being individualism, multiculturalism and the politics of gender and sexual orientation. As a result, social structure and what were once traditional values have been abandoned for political correctness. With reports of personal crimes committed on juveniles on school property on the rise, clearly, these shifts away from tradition have trickled down from society at large to the sphere of the public school. Students no longer are using traditional socially accepted norms and values as viable guides to their behavior (Hudak, Ander & Allen, 1980), but violence, which has become a way of attaining respect and self worth as well as material possessions. Some of the most disturbing reports that have been brought to the public's attention are those of students assaulting and robbing one another at knife and gunpoint for clothing. The conceptual framework was that of appearance perception. Clothing and appearance are extremely important to children in their efforts to compete as well as to successfully fit in with their peers. Many school reform efforts have implemented school uniform policies as a way of building a sense of unity and belonging among students, as well as a way of controlling behavior. However, despite the numerous studies that have attempted to show that nonverbal communication may form impressions of personality, character traits, and intelligence, none have focused on school uniforms and their reflection of the personal values of the wearers. This study determined the uniform preferences of uniform-wearing students for middle school children, and described the five terminal values that these students attributed to uniformed students. This research also determined whether there were significant differences between the probabilities of males and females having the same perceptions of the terminal values attributed to uniformed students, because research has shown that these perceptions have a direct effect on style preferences. The sample was comprised of 85 students between 18 and 21 years, who attended a military institute of higher education in which they were required to wear uniforms on a daily basis. Respondents completed a three-part questionnaire, which consisted of: (1) Rokeach Value Survey, (2) demographics questions, and (3) wearer preference measure. The instrument was pilot tested for content validity before it was administered to the sample. Data were analyzed using Pearson Chi-squares and frequencies. The chi-square tests revealed no significant differences in the probability of males and the probability of females selecting the same terminal values for uniformed students. Examination of frequencies determined design criteria for males and females uniform design as well as the five core terminal values attributed to uniformed students. / Master of Science

A indústria de confecção de vestuário transforma um tecido bidimensional em um artigo tridimensional. Embora existam vários métodos para unir as partes de um artigo de vestuário, a costura com linhas é o método mais utilizado. A costura é quem fornece resistência à peça, e nesse sentido, perde sua funcionalidade se por acaso romper os fios do tecido, ou ainda, se houver rompimento da linha, ou outro problema como esgarçamento, deslizamento do tecido ou da costura. A qualidade de uma costura é definida pelos seus desempenhos funcionais e estéticos. A norma ABNT NBR 9925:2009 estabelece as condições do ensaio que indica se a costura tem tendência a abrir-se mediante a aplicação de uma força; também aponta os tipos de agulhas, linhas e fios, e ainda indica a densidade de pontos e máquinas adequadas para a confecção dos corpos de prova que serão ensaiados. O objetivo deste trabalho é utilizar o planejamento de experimentos para estudar a possibilidade de ampliar dos valores de densidade de pontos por centímetro e espessuras das agulhas, propostos pela referida norma ABNT NBR 9925:2009 para verificar a costurabilidade de uniformes escolares. Foram selecionados no mercado três tecidos normalmente utilizados na confecção desses artigos; e em seguida, realizados os ensaios físicos de gramatura, determinação da densidade de pontos por centímetro e determinação do esgarçamento de uma costura padrão. O modelo estatístico escolhido foi o planejamento aleatorizado por níveis; e para a análise dos resultados foram utilizados a ANOVA (análise de variância), com intervalo de confiança de 95%, e o box plot. Os resultados obtidos indicam a viabilidade do uso do estudo proposto para a seleção da densidade de pontos e tipo de agulhas em função da aplicação do produto final. / The industry of making clothing becomes a two-dimensional fabric in a three-dimensional article. Although there are several methods to connect the parts of an article of clothing, the seam with lines is the most used method. The sewing is who provides resistance to the part and, in this sense, the seam loses its functionality if by chance breaking the wires of the tissue, or even if there is no line rupture, or another problem such as fraying, slip the fabric or sewing. The quality of a seam is defined by its functional performance and aesthetic. The ABNT NBR 9925:2009 establishes the conditions for the test that indicates if the seam has a tendency to open up through the application of a force and also indicates the types of needles, lines, wires, dot density and suitable machines for the manufacture of bodies of evidence to be tested. The objective of this work is to use the planning of experiments to study the possibility of expanding the density values of points per centimeter and thicknesses of needles, proposed by ABNT NBR 9925:2009 for the verification of sewability school uniforms. They were selected on the market three tissues normally used in the manufacture of these articles and the tests of physical weight, determination of the density of dots per centimeter and determination of the fraying of a sewing pattern. The statistical model chosen was the randomised trial planning by levels and for the analysis of the results were used for the ANOVA (Analysis of variance), with 95% confidence interval, and the box plot. The results indicate the feasibility of the use of the proposed study to selecting the density of stitches and needle type depending on the application of the final product.

Schools that implement a school uniform policy are on the rise (Musu-Gillette, Zhang, Wang, Zhang & Oudekerk, 2017). About 74% of these schools have a high population of low socioeconomic status students (Musu-Gillette et al., 2017) with about 75% or more qualifying for free or reduced lunch. The purpose of this study was to examine any relationships between students' perceptions of the effects of school uniforms and student socioeconomic status. In a charter school, a survey was completed by students to gather perception information and a separate survey by parents to gather socioeconomic status information. Hypotheses were tested using descriptive statistics and multiple regression models. Data were gathered from 184 students in grades 3 through 8. Examining individual survey items revealed older students were more likely to report that school uniforms help to reduce bullying and teasing. Another statistically significant difference was that some students of high socioeconomic status reported that uniforms help reduce arguments with parents about clothing (t(182) = 2.66, p<.01). Student responses on 10 survey items were grouped into one factor called School Climate, reflecting student perceptions on how uniforms affect the school's climate. Analyses revealed no significant relationships between the School Climate factor and socioeconomic status. However, Hispanic students reported a significantly more positive response overall than non-Hispanic students. These findings suggest students of various socioeconomic status perceive school uniforms similarly, but older students could be more likely to associate uniforms with a reduction in bullying. More research needs to be done in charter schools as little research has been done on school uniforms in charter schools, and among Hispanic students because the participation of Hispanic students was relatively low.

In my critical discourse analysis of The Intown Academy's (TIA) various documents and media—including the school's charter petition, charter, Parent-Student Handbook, and website—I articulate the school's subjectifying narratives and analyze how these narratives function to (re)produce particular subjects according to tropes of threat/crisis, opportunity, corporate/non-profit benevolence, and personal responsibility. Identifying these subjects, I analyze how they are effected/affected by the practice of education at TIA. To this end, I examine the various practices of school discipline codified in the Parent and Student Contracts in TIA's 2012-2013 Parent Student Handbook, including mandates for the wearing of school uniforms, volunteer labor, and reorientations of the family and the private space of the home. I conclude that TIA discursively produces indebted subjects whose educational and economic survival depends on the reorientation of their lives in service to the school.

A presente Tese de Doutorado em Educação intitulada “Com que roupa eu vou? Embelezamento e Consumo na Composição dos Uniformes Escolares Infantis”, desenvolvida na Linha de Pesquisa Educação, Sexualidade e Relações de Gênero do PPGEDU da FACED/UFRGS teve como primordial foco de estudos pesquisar a produção das identidades de gênero femininas infantis escolarizadas marcadas pelo processo de pedofilização como prática social contemporânea. O estudo empreendido buscou responder em sua narrativa, mesmo que provisoriamente, a seguinte questão: de que forma as práticas de uniformização escolar infantil interferem no modo como as meninas investem, em seus corpos, padrões estéticos e corporais de embelezamento e consumo tão difundidos em nossa sociedade e propagados pela escola na constituição de suas identidades de gênero? Tendo como referenciais teórico-metodológicos os Estudos de Gênero e os Estudos Culturais em Educação, foram desenvolvidas entrevistas semiestruturadas com crianças e com profissionais da escola em questão, no intuito de coletar dados acerca do problema pesquisado. Desenvolvi, também, observações em momentos livres das crianças na escola num período aproximado de seis meses, registrados num caderno de anotações, com o intuito de problematizar, discutir e investigar o problema de pesquisa apontado. O estudo suscitou a compreensão de que as práticas de composição em torno dos uniformes escolares infantis, glamourosamente produzidas pela escola e propagadas pelas crianças estabelecem uma consistente relação entre consumo e embelezamento dos corpos, demarcando dois processos recorrentes em tais práticas: pertencimento e erotização autorizada. Em tal prática escolar foi possível também perceber a demarcação de discursos e representações sociais e culturais contemporâneos da importância do maciço investimento, desde a infância, nos corpos, na imagem e na aparência, reforçando a adesão das meninas na produção/composição de suas identidades de gênero. / The present doctoral thesis in Education entitled "What clothes should I wear? Beautification and Composition of Consumption in Children’s School Uniforms", following the research line in Education, Sexuality and Gender Relations (PPGEDU) at the College of Education (FACED) at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) focuses on the production of the female child’s gender identities in school, which are characterized by the process of pedophilization as a contemporary social practice. The study aims to answer the following question, although temporarily: How can the use of school uniforms interfere in the way the girls are investing in their bodies, the aesthetic and body patterns of beautification and consumption, which are strongly publicized in our society and spread in the school formation of their gender identities? Based on the Gender Studies and Cultural Studies in Education as theoreticalmethodological referential, some semi-structured interviews were carried out with the children and the school staff in order to collect data. Written observations were also made during the children’s free moments at school over a period of approximately six months. The study raised the understanding that the practices of composition concerning schoolchildren uniforms, glamorously produced and promoted by the children themselves, establish a consistent relationship between consumption and body beautification, reinforcing two recurring processes in such practices: belonging and authorized eroticization. In this school practice it was also possible to realize the reinforcement of discourses and the contemporary cultural ad social representations in the importance of the massive investment, since childhood, in the bodies, the image and the appearance, reinforcing the adhesion of girls in the production/composition of their gender identities.

A presente Tese de Doutorado em Educação intitulada “Com que roupa eu vou? Embelezamento e Consumo na Composição dos Uniformes Escolares Infantis”, desenvolvida na Linha de Pesquisa Educação, Sexualidade e Relações de Gênero do PPGEDU da FACED/UFRGS teve como primordial foco de estudos pesquisar a produção das identidades de gênero femininas infantis escolarizadas marcadas pelo processo de pedofilização como prática social contemporânea. O estudo empreendido buscou responder em sua narrativa, mesmo que provisoriamente, a seguinte questão: de que forma as práticas de uniformização escolar infantil interferem no modo como as meninas investem, em seus corpos, padrões estéticos e corporais de embelezamento e consumo tão difundidos em nossa sociedade e propagados pela escola na constituição de suas identidades de gênero? Tendo como referenciais teórico-metodológicos os Estudos de Gênero e os Estudos Culturais em Educação, foram desenvolvidas entrevistas semiestruturadas com crianças e com profissionais da escola em questão, no intuito de coletar dados acerca do problema pesquisado. Desenvolvi, também, observações em momentos livres das crianças na escola num período aproximado de seis meses, registrados num caderno de anotações, com o intuito de problematizar, discutir e investigar o problema de pesquisa apontado. O estudo suscitou a compreensão de que as práticas de composição em torno dos uniformes escolares infantis, glamourosamente produzidas pela escola e propagadas pelas crianças estabelecem uma consistente relação entre consumo e embelezamento dos corpos, demarcando dois processos recorrentes em tais práticas: pertencimento e erotização autorizada. Em tal prática escolar foi possível também perceber a demarcação de discursos e representações sociais e culturais contemporâneos da importância do maciço investimento, desde a infância, nos corpos, na imagem e na aparência, reforçando a adesão das meninas na produção/composição de suas identidades de gênero. / The present doctoral thesis in Education entitled "What clothes should I wear? Beautification and Composition of Consumption in Children’s School Uniforms", following the research line in Education, Sexuality and Gender Relations (PPGEDU) at the College of Education (FACED) at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) focuses on the production of the female child’s gender identities in school, which are characterized by the process of pedophilization as a contemporary social practice. The study aims to answer the following question, although temporarily: How can the use of school uniforms interfere in the way the girls are investing in their bodies, the aesthetic and body patterns of beautification and consumption, which are strongly publicized in our society and spread in the school formation of their gender identities? Based on the Gender Studies and Cultural Studies in Education as theoreticalmethodological referential, some semi-structured interviews were carried out with the children and the school staff in order to collect data. Written observations were also made during the children’s free moments at school over a period of approximately six months. The study raised the understanding that the practices of composition concerning schoolchildren uniforms, glamorously produced and promoted by the children themselves, establish a consistent relationship between consumption and body beautification, reinforcing two recurring processes in such practices: belonging and authorized eroticization. In this school practice it was also possible to realize the reinforcement of discourses and the contemporary cultural ad social representations in the importance of the massive investment, since childhood, in the bodies, the image and the appearance, reinforcing the adhesion of girls in the production/composition of their gender identities.

A presente Tese de Doutorado em Educação intitulada “Com que roupa eu vou? Embelezamento e Consumo na Composição dos Uniformes Escolares Infantis”, desenvolvida na Linha de Pesquisa Educação, Sexualidade e Relações de Gênero do PPGEDU da FACED/UFRGS teve como primordial foco de estudos pesquisar a produção das identidades de gênero femininas infantis escolarizadas marcadas pelo processo de pedofilização como prática social contemporânea. O estudo empreendido buscou responder em sua narrativa, mesmo que provisoriamente, a seguinte questão: de que forma as práticas de uniformização escolar infantil interferem no modo como as meninas investem, em seus corpos, padrões estéticos e corporais de embelezamento e consumo tão difundidos em nossa sociedade e propagados pela escola na constituição de suas identidades de gênero? Tendo como referenciais teórico-metodológicos os Estudos de Gênero e os Estudos Culturais em Educação, foram desenvolvidas entrevistas semiestruturadas com crianças e com profissionais da escola em questão, no intuito de coletar dados acerca do problema pesquisado. Desenvolvi, também, observações em momentos livres das crianças na escola num período aproximado de seis meses, registrados num caderno de anotações, com o intuito de problematizar, discutir e investigar o problema de pesquisa apontado. O estudo suscitou a compreensão de que as práticas de composição em torno dos uniformes escolares infantis, glamourosamente produzidas pela escola e propagadas pelas crianças estabelecem uma consistente relação entre consumo e embelezamento dos corpos, demarcando dois processos recorrentes em tais práticas: pertencimento e erotização autorizada. Em tal prática escolar foi possível também perceber a demarcação de discursos e representações sociais e culturais contemporâneos da importância do maciço investimento, desde a infância, nos corpos, na imagem e na aparência, reforçando a adesão das meninas na produção/composição de suas identidades de gênero. / The present doctoral thesis in Education entitled "What clothes should I wear? Beautification and Composition of Consumption in Children’s School Uniforms", following the research line in Education, Sexuality and Gender Relations (PPGEDU) at the College of Education (FACED) at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) focuses on the production of the female child’s gender identities in school, which are characterized by the process of pedophilization as a contemporary social practice. The study aims to answer the following question, although temporarily: How can the use of school uniforms interfere in the way the girls are investing in their bodies, the aesthetic and body patterns of beautification and consumption, which are strongly publicized in our society and spread in the school formation of their gender identities? Based on the Gender Studies and Cultural Studies in Education as theoreticalmethodological referential, some semi-structured interviews were carried out with the children and the school staff in order to collect data. Written observations were also made during the children’s free moments at school over a period of approximately six months. The study raised the understanding that the practices of composition concerning schoolchildren uniforms, glamorously produced and promoted by the children themselves, establish a consistent relationship between consumption and body beautification, reinforcing two recurring processes in such practices: belonging and authorized eroticization. In this school practice it was also possible to realize the reinforcement of discourses and the contemporary cultural ad social representations in the importance of the massive investment, since childhood, in the bodies, the image and the appearance, reinforcing the adhesion of girls in the production/composition of their gender identities.