School Wears: The Study of the Pupils' Preferences, Viewpoints, and Impact

on Their Rights in Specific Aspects of School Attire

By
Beatriz A. Siongco
Gracelle M. Dequilla
Maria Yvette J. Balanquit
Nicole S. Flores

A Research Paper
by the Bonifacio Students;
Submitted to Mr. Ramil Atibagos,
English Teacher in Junior High School.

GEN. LICERIO GERONIMO MEMORIAL

NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL,
SCHOOL YEAR 2022-2023

School Wears: The Study of the Pupils' Preferences, Viewpoints, and Impact on
Their Rights in Specific Aspects of School Attire
 ABSTRACT
Beatriz A. Siongco
Gracelle M. Dequilla
Maria Yvette J. Balanquit
Nicole S. Flores
GLGMNHS, 2023

Gracelle Dequilla

INTRODUCTION
 Vice President Sara Duterte implemented the policy of using civilian clothes in public schools,

but it is optional since the pandemic has arisen and many students and parents are still recovering from it.

The majority of schools or universities at the present time have their own uniforms for every major,

building, and class you are in. But not just at the present time or in the current century. Uniforms were

invented in the 16th century in England. The impoverished "charity children" attending Christ's Hospital

boarding school wore blue cloaks reminiscent of the cassocks worn by clergy, along with yellow

stockings. There are so many important reasons why students should wear uniforms. The two main

reasons are government policy and cleanliness. Despite that fact, many students want to go with their

rights, which is why they don't want to wear what the school requires them to wear.

Statement of the Problem

This research identifies the most preferred uniform among the students. Examines the different

viewpoints of the learners since they’re the ones who're studying and should feel comfortable in their

school of learning. This research also justifies the choice of the students and how they want the

government to implement some policies from which a lot of students will benefit.

Literature Review

Research has also been done by many researchers. Some has researched regarding to students’

behaviors when wearing uniforms, perceptions of the students in the policy, and opinions of the writers

why school uniforms is a bad thing.

Kouzmine (2019), in her commentary, enumerated several reasons as to why school uniform is

not a good thing. According to her, school uniform limits students’ personal expressions, feeling of

discomfort. It forces conformity and discourages diversity, an additional burden to parents since it can be

costly to buy such. Similarly, Cook listed reasons why school uniforms is not advisable since it generally
means additional costs, refutes individual expressions, promotes bullying and violence and others. (Mark,

Ariston, 2019)

From another paper, “School uniforms are a strategy used by public schools to restore order in the

classroom and safety. The use of school uniforms can have a positive effect on violence reduction and

academic achievement, as well as reduce the need for discipline.” President Clinton recently commended

Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) parents, teachers, administrators, and students for taking

the courageous step of implementing a mandatory school uniform policy. The development and

distribution of the Manual on School.

Uniforms (US Department of Education, 1996) to provide guidance on implementing uniform

policies within public schools (Howe, 1996). The interest in encouraging or requiring uniforms for public

school students is not a new phenomenon; that trend began in the late 1980s, particularly in inner-city

locations. Popular press articles report that school uniforms control violence associated with attending

school, improve attendance rates, modify behavior (Harris, 1989; McManus, 1987), improve academic

achievement (Pushkar, 1995), reduce the focus on fashion contests (Harris et al., 1987), and promote

ideas and achievement (McManus, 1987). The paper examines the role of school discipline in achieving

academic performance. It was found that uniformed students have better discipline, as evidenced by the

authors analyze Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development's Program for International

Student Assessment data on school discipline dimensions. The results showed that peak-performing

students have the highest level of discipline, while those wearing uniforms listen better with lower teacher

waiting times.

On the website of TODAY, they surveyed 17, 000 people about what they really think about

dress codes. Out of 100%, 78% said children and teens need standards for school attire. Meanwhile, 22%

said children and teens should be able to wear what they want to school. The survey also has a poll about

the advantages and disadvantages of dress codes. 69% of people agree that school dress codes increase
children's sense of discipline and ability to achieve. And 31% believe school dress codes stifle children's

mental freedom and creativity. 

The questions this research is pointing out are ‘What do they prefer, or what do they think is the

best to wear to school? What are the advantages of the choice they have made? What will they do, and

what is the best solution to the problem when wearing a uniform can cause sexism, be expensive, and

limit self-expression? What if wearing civilian clothes to school causes competition for the students?

How about when they're part of the LGBTQ+ community and they can wear whatever they want based on

their preferred gender? It might cause discrimination for them.’

This paper surveyed 20 grade 10 students from General Licerio Geronimo Memorial National

High School based on the questions from above, then goes on to results of what the major choice of the

learners is. Plus, the additional viewpoints of the parents are added.

METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents the methodology which was employed during the study. Considering this,

the areas of the study and reasons which underpin the choice of area are explained. In these chapter

explanations on research design and

approach, the population, sample and sampling procedures, data collection methods used during data

collection are provided. 

Research Design

This study will utilize a qualitative - phenomenological research design,

which focuses on the lived experiences of students about their rights in specific aspects of school attire. In

this study, to conduct a sociological analysis of rights in specific aspects of school attire, researchers

would typically start by examining the social and cultural context in which dress codes are enforced. This
might involve conducting interviews with students. Researchers would then identify patterns and themes

in these data, looking for factors that influence attitudes towards school attire and how they impact

individual rights and freedoms.

Research Informants

The study will use a purposive sampling method in selecting the participants. The participants of

this study will be the students of Gen. Licerio Geronimo Memorial National Highschool and the parents

of the four researchers. All the informants will be answering the interview questions. 

Research Environment

Sociological analysis methodology involves looking at the social and cultural factors that shape

attitudes towards school attire and how they impact the rights of students. This can be used to answer

questions such as:

 How do different students view school attire, and how do these attitudes impact dress codes and

enforcement?

 How do students and parents respond to dress code policies, and what factors influence their

attitudes towards school attire?

 How do dress codes intersect with issues of gender and class, and how do these intersections

impact individual rights and freedoms?

 How do cultural and religious beliefs impact attitudes towards school attire, and how do schools

balance the rights of individuals with the need to maintain a safe and inclusive learning

environment?

One advantage of sociological analysis is that it provides a more nuanced and contextualized

understanding of rights in specific aspects of school attire. However, it may be limited in its ability to

provide clear and objective guidance on how to balance competing rights and interests in each situation.
 RESULTS

In the gathered data information, the total is 15 students.

BEST TO WEAR IN SCHOOL

Uniform (Sex) Uniform (Gender/LGBTQ)
Civillian

20%

45%

35%

Some students are part of the LGBTQ+ community but still chose the uniform policy, and some

chose the uniform based on their gender. Same for the students who are not part of the said community.

Interviewed students have described the advantages of the options for their chosen school attire. Some

choose all of the options, and some choose two of the three.

DISCUSSION

The wearing of student uniforms is the most common, as are its benefits. They said every pupil

should wear the uniform based on the school’s handbook because it is a protocol, a policy, and a rule in

the guidelines of being formal and neat. It can also prevent outsiders from going inside, and on the other

side—outside school—pupils can be determined or distinguished as students. There are two reasons why

this option is the best to wear: it is already a tradition, said one student, and it can lead learners to promote

a sense of unity and equality among them, said another. However, there will always be negative effects
from worldly things once you choose one. Wearing school uniforms could cause sexism, expensive

uniforms, and limited self-expression. Interviewers also asked them what they thought were the solutions

to these problems. Number one is to always respect. Students realized there are also things that schools or

governments should fix: implement less revealing types of uniforms; and because we have three different

classes in the world, uniforms shouldn’t be that expensive (but students must follow the payment

regulations and stand up for what they choose). On the other hand, if they really can’t afford to buy it in

only one day, it can be a down payment as well as part of the tuition and miscellaneous.

Wearing uniform based on the preferred gender is the second to the first. There are two

parts in this section: wearing uniforms based on the preferred gender and for the women to wear

pants (lesbian or not). The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) has dropped its sex-

based guidelines on school uniforms in favor of a gender-neutral policy. PLM president

Emmanuel Leyco issued an administrative order allowing students to exercise freedom to wear

uniforms based on their gender identity and gender expression. Leyco’s administrative order,

which was issued on Oct. 26 and took effect on Nov. 16, allows students to wear either a plain

white polo with the PLM patch or a white blouse with tie as their top, paired with either blue-

gray pants or skirt and closed black shoes. (Janvic, M.) Following in PLM’s lead in

implementing gender-neutral uniforms are Colegio de Sta. Rita de San Carlos in Negros

Occidental, Valencia National High School in Bukidnon, Southern Luzon State University in

Quezon. Just this March, Senator Raffy Tulfo filed a bill pushing for what was dubbed as

gender-neutral uniforms in both private and public schools at all levels. Called “Pants for Her

Act," it will allow female students to wear pants in addition to or instead of skirts. He said this

will also lower their chances of getting mosquito bites and allow them to ride motorcycles as a

mode of transportation more comfortably. However, this bill only tackles the female option to
wear pants. (Micah, G.) These schools implemented gender-neutral uniforms not only for the freedom

to express but also for the confidence this will bring. People will know who you really are without saying

it based on how you dress. Students must not care about the discrimination in terms of different genders

when they’re wearing their preferred uniform based on gender because in school, brains are what we use,

said the student. Instead, they must accommodate every right. Speaking of discrimination, this will not

fade if students are still not educated about it. The students’ solutions to this problem are not letting

discrimination do what its nature wants it to do. To stop it, many students said that there should be a

meeting about gender equality and advocacy for the rights of LGBTQ+ people in terms of clothing.

Allowing LGBTQ students to wear their preferred uniform based on their gender identity can promote

inclusion and respect when students are educated about it.

The last in the option and the least to choose but observed students like to wear civillians in

school. Branded, expensive, and aesthetic outfits. According to the proper school attire of Department

of Education published on June 10, 2008. Students are discouraged from wearing expensive (signature or

designer brands) or flashy clothes, tight-fitting pants/blouses/dresses, mini-skirts, short shorts, blouses

with plunging necklines, hip-hop pants for boys, and sleepwear. And still, many students are dropping

the rules. In exchange, in the school of GLGMNHS – students who wear clothes that are against the

regulations are not allowed to enter the campus. Students believe that wearing civillian permanently in

school can let students feel free to express, high the confidence, and feel happy. But since wearing

civillian can be a pressure to students, can cause competition among them. A competition and pressure

problems over students are the students’ problem said by one student. To make this more clear, wearing

civillian and removing uniforms is not a good thing that’s why it is the least chosen one.
RECOMMENDATION
LIMITATION
CONCLUSION
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Researchers wouldn’t be finished this paper without the efforts of the people that have contributed in this
not-so interesting topic. This was a task that has so many experiences before reaching to the final page.

To the families, friends, a boyfriend, and a teacher who helped in so many ways and in every inquiries
they didn’t hesistate to answer.

Michelle Escano, bestfriend of one of the researchers. Thank you for giving ideas and for being always
there.

To the students the researchers interviewed, thank you for participating and giving your opinions,
preferences, and what this causes this to all of you. Researchers might not be the best to have a good little
interaction with. Sincerely from the heart, thank you for your time.

To the students who think superior of themselves. Thank you for insulting the first title of one of the
researchers thought. Without your stabbing words, this study might not come up with a good, contenting
title.

Also, thanks to Mr. Ramil Atibagos for always enlightening the minds of the researchers. Guiding and
correcting for every wrong step and providing research important points.

Lastly, researchers thank researchers of this group for giving your best to finish this. Efforts, time,
knowledge, and money they consumed and spend just to turn this as a successful research paper.
 REFERENCES

Brittanica. Pro and Con: School Uniforms. (May 3, 2021).

The impoverished “charity children” attending the Christ's Hospital boarding school wore blue
cloaks reminiscent of the cassocks worn by clergy, along with yellow stockings.
https://www.britannica.com/story/pro-and-con-school-uniforms

Mark, J., and Ariston, V. (2019). The School Uniform Policy from the Students’ Perspective: Basis for
the Policy Improvement.
Kouzmine (2019), in her commentary, enumerated several reasons as to why school uniform is
not a good thing.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/
356766793_The_School_Uniform_Policy_from_the_Students'_Perspective_Basis_for_Policy_Im
provement

METHODOLOGY: Sage Journals. Sociological Perspectives on Imposed School Dress Codes:

Consumption as Attempted Suppression of Class and Group Symbolism. (1998).
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/027614679801800204?
fbclid=IwAR1U5_O7DmJr7cm1ALH6tMYXiCoHBLHZ_fGoHTYA1nLEjwAIi_0JWFyKasY
METHODOLOGY: Science Direct. Sociological Analysis. (2001).
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/social-sciences/sociological-analysis?
fbclid=IwAR24ME3eNAsWWqL7_vO69e6-IDKXznXNtSShFMjkcnip5OmQ14-Ipb3bCLI

Spot.PH. By Micah Avry Guiao. (2023). Is the Philippine ready for gender-neutral uniforms?
Called “Pants for Her Act," it will allow female students to wear pants in addition to or instead
of skirts.
https://www.spot.ph/newsfeatures/104104/gender-neutral-uniforms-in-the-
philippinesa522920230319#:~:text=Following%20in%20PLM's%20lead%20in,Luzon%20State
%20University%20in%20Quezon.

Sue, S. (1996). School Unifoms and Safety.

School uniforms are a strategy used by public schools to restore order in the classroom and
safety. The use of school uniforms can have a positive effect on violence reduction and academic
achievement, as well as reduce the need for discipline.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0013124596028004003

The Philippine Star. By Janvic Mateo. (2022). PLM adopts gender-neutral uniform policy.
The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) has dropped its sex-based guidelines on school
uniforms in favor of a gender-neutral policy.
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2022/11/20/2225034/plm-adopts-gender-neutral-uniform-policy
APPENDICES
RESUME