From the Frontline - Uniforms allow the person to shine through
By Shane Jefferson
Youth Work Now
15 September 2008
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...