Face Off: Should students be able to wear their own athletic clothes for PE classes?
Each week, two readers discuss a hot topic in a parliamentary-style debate that doesn’t necessarily reflect their personal viewpoints.
Two readers debate whether students should be allowed to wear their own athletic clothes for PE classes. Photo: Shutterstock If you are interested in joining future Face Off debates, fill out this form to submit your application.
For: Aadya Dusad, 17, Island School
The debate about whether or not students should be required to wear uniforms in school has been around for a long time, and both sides have always provided valid arguments. However, when it comes to gym clothes, students should be permitted to dress in a manner that makes them feel comfortable and confident in their skin.
For many students, PE classes can be a vulnerable time due to their physically demanding nature and the possibility of drawing attention. People have different body types and insecurities, and school PE kits can often expose what students deem as flaws and make them feel uncomfortable or think badly of themselves.
Studies have shown that more than 35 per cent of teenagers tend to worry about their body image, and school PE lessons could play a vital role in this. It is unfair to ask someone to do something they may not be particularly good at while feeling more insecure than needed.
Moreover, most school PE uniforms are unflattering. While this may seem like a superficial point, a plethora of students are apathetic about PE; allowing students to wear their own athletic clothes could motivate and compel them to try harder during their lessons.
Aesthetic gym wear has been an ongoing trend over the past few years, and wearing attractive athletic wear can boost confidence and enhance motivation to exercise.
If you could design a new school uniform, what would it look like?
PE lessons are meant to be enjoyable – not draining. Giving students the right to dress the way they like will ensure that they put more effort into the lessons while having fun.
The primary cause of concern from people who disagree with this notion is that they believe students will exploit the privilege by dressing inappropriately. In this case, schools can set specific ground rules if a student chooses to wear their attire.
For instance, they can set colour requirements if they don’t want pupils to wear clothes that don’t include school colours or garments that are too casual.
To conclude, students should be trusted and given the right to bring their sense of individuality into their school life, and letting them wear their athletic clothes allows them to do this.
There is nothing inappropriate about this notion, and it should be treated as such.
Against: Giselle Lee, 16, West Island School
Wearing school uniforms out in public is not uncommon in Hong Kong, with many students being required to dress in a specific attire that adheres to their school’s dress code.
Recently, however, athletic clothes have become a more grey area of contention, with some students complaining about its aesthetic being unappealing or simply too uncomfortable.
Despite this, I do not believe students should be able to wear their own athletic clothes for PE classes. It would solve the problem with the wrong solution.
One main issue with letting students wear their athletic clothes for PE classes is its cost.
Sportswear from big-name brands such as Lululemon or Nike are expensive, with a decent pair of running shorts setting you back at least HK$400 (US$51). It becomes less affordable for all students if you have to buy multiple pairs.
Wealth disparity in such cases worsens the matter as students may not have many options to buy athletic clothing from big brands.
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The focus at school should be to learn, and PE is no different. With a streamlined option for all students to wear, it will save the effort of choosing different outfits every time there is a PE class and help students prioritise correctly.
It is important to note that in a school environment, specific rules are in place to protect the students and the school image, which is why uniforms are particularly emphasised in Hong Kong.
It additionally creates a sense of belonging to the school, which raises school spirit as a whole.
Individuality goes beyond just a school uniform, and wearing one does not change the fact that each student possesses unique talents that make up the school’s repertoire.
To solve the problem, the right solution would be to design an affordable uniform that is functional and visually pleasing for students.This is the most feasible and, if implemented after collecting students’ opinions on factors such as how it looks and feels, would be the most effective.
Having the freedom to decide what you wear to school for PE classes may be a good way to express yourself, though the implications that may arise, as mentioned above, may do more harm than good.