From the Frontline - Uniforms allow the person to shine through

15 September 2008 1 min read Shane Jefferson Youth Work

Very few youth organisations nowadays require young people to wear uniforms. Organisations such as ourselves (St John Ambulance), the Scouts, the Guides and a handful of others stand apart because we believe there are benefits in young people dressing the same. But does this policy encourage people to join or does it achieve the opposite?

In my experience, uniforms promote unity and have a positive influence on the behaviour of those who attend. Members of the team feel obliged to help each other because of the core values to which the uniform is linked.

Some young people take great pride in wearing a uniform, but others do see the formality of such distinctive dress akin to being at school.

If you're five years old, wearing a uniform makes you look cute. It makes your gran want to spit on her hanky and wipe your face, while telling you what a big boy you are. At 14, when your gran does the same it results in an impersonation of Harry Enfield's Kevin the Teenager.

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