Public perceptions of school uniforms: A multi-method content analysis

Despite evidence of the benefits of physical activity, most children and adolescents are insufficiently active. Simple, low-cost, scalable and sustainable school-based interventions are needed. This study explored Australian public perceptions of allowing children to wear activity-enabling sports uniforms every day, following reports that school principals were reluctant to adopt this due to perceived community expectations.

A multi-methods content analysis applied a quantitative content approach to assess support for or against the proposal, and qualitative content techniques explored the reasons underpinning public sentiment.

A total of 325 relevant comments and 1,983 poll responses were extracted from 12 sources. Overall, 76% of responses supported allowing students to wear sports uniforms every day. Three overarching themes were identified: student impacts (all sub-themes supportive); parent benefit (one sub-theme supportive; one mixed); and societal viewpoint (one sub-theme supportive; one mixed).

Australian principals have reported perceived public expectations that students wear formal school uniforms as a barrier to adopting more flexible uniform policies. This study provides timely evidence that public sentiment may in fact support students wearing sports uniforms daily.

These findings can inform strategies to address a barrier to a simple, scalable, population-level intervention to increase school-based physical activity.