Uniforms - Origins

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UNIFORMS A uniform is a type of clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organization's activity. Modern uniforms are most often worn by armed forces and paramilitary organizations such as police, emergency services, security guards, in some workplaces and schools and by inmates in prisons. • Uniforms in School: School uniforms were first used in the 18th century by the British Schools. The uniform was adopted and was required for children to wear when attending school, in order instil discipline and order. The British schools of the 18th and 19th Century were chaotic and fights between students were nothing out of the ordinary. Thus, many parents preferred for their children to be tutored at home until they are ready for the university. Therefore, the government imposed the use of school uniforms in order reduce the chaotic fights and violence in schools. The English state schools followed the lead of the prestigious public schools also began requiring uniforms. The initial public schools to require uniforms were boarding schools, but many private and state day schools also began requiring uniforms. The social revolution of the 1960s ended much of the English obsession with school uniforms. There had been schoolboy rebellions against uniform in the past. World War II had ended some of the more expensive or ludicrous uniform items, but it was the widespread youth revolt of the late-1960s that had the greatest impact. In most schools, uniform remained, though modified in the direction of informality. Most of the sillier hierarchical touches disappeared. A few public schools abolished uniform altogether. • Uniforms in the Military: One of the first forms of a uniform was the use of protective devices consisting of wooden or leather shields and occasional head or body armour made of skins. These were the first signs of specific
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