Porfirio G.

Comia Memorial National High School

301648
Barcenaga, Naujan

Freedom: The Impact of School

Uniforms on Students' Gender
Expression in COMEHI

Researchers

Dinglasan Kean Ralph P.

Gozar Joseph B.
Beredo Samantha
Dudas Rhyzie
11- Stem Athena

Penaflor Azriel
Practical Research Teacher
Introduction and Rationale

Freedom of expression grants individuals the autonomy to hold personal

viewpoints and communicate them without impediments. It's a crucial aspect of

personal development, particularly among youngsters, where the ability to freely

express oneself should be universally accessible. Moreover, the manifestation of

one's gender identity through behavior and attire plays a pivotal role in shaping an

individual's sense of self.

The debate surrounding school uniforms has often captured national attention

due to its divisive nature among students. While uniforms have been praised for their

role in promoting equality and fostering a conducive learning environment, they have

also been criticized for their potential to stifle individuality and reinforce gender

norms. Ensuring inclusivity in uniform policies, devoid of gender policing, is

imperative for fostering a supportive educational environment where all students feel

comfortable and respected.

According to LGBTQ advocate Shane (2021), adopting gender-neutral

uniforms is crucial for fostering an environment conducive to the success of all

students. By eliminating clothing restrictions that may limit movement and perpetuate

gender stereotypes, schools can better fulfill the intended purpose of uniforms:

minimizing distractions and promoting unity among students.

Opponents argue that gender-specific uniforms may inadvertently reinforce

harmful gender stereotypes and impede students' ability to express their personal

identity during a critical developmental stage. However, proponents contend that

embracing diverse clothing choices can lay the groundwork for societal acceptance

and provide students with the opportunity to express themselves authentically.

Ultimately, the debate surrounding school uniforms revolves around striking a

balance between promoting unity and respecting individuality, a topic that

researchers at Porfirio G. Comia Memorial National High School for the academic

year 2022-2023 have endeavored to address comprehensively.

The purpose of this study is to determine how school uniform affects gender

expression of students in COMEHI. By conducting qualitative research, the study

seeks to understand the experiences and perspectives of students that belongs to

LGBTQ toward these regulation. Ultimately, the study aims to inform policymakers

and educators about the importance of letting LGBTQ students wear gender-neutral

uniforms in order to protecting their rights to express their identity.

Statement of the Problem

To better understand the perspective and experiences of students wearing

school uniform and how it affects freedom of gender expression, the following

research questions were addressed in this study:

1. What are the students' perspective and experiences towards wearing

school uniform?

2. How does school uniform affect gender expression of students in

Porfirio G. Comia Memorial National Highschool?

3. Based on the findings, what program can be suggested to students that

wears school uniform?

Scope and Delimitation

The research aims to investigate the effects of compulsory school uniforms on

students' gender expression, particularly focusing on the perceptions and

experiences of those who are mandated to wear them. Employing a qualitative

research approach, the study will conduct semi-structured interviews with selected

students from junior and senior high schools at Porfirio G. Comia Memorial National

High School. It seeks to understand how school uniforms shape students' behavior,

attitudes, and self-expression in terms of gender.

However, the study faces several limitations, such as the sample size and the

scarcity of prior research in this area. Due to the project's scope, researchers cannot

gather data from the entire recommended population sample, thus limiting the

number of participants. Additionally, the study will only address topics relevant to the

research question and will exclude students who do not meet the criteria or fall

outside the study's scope. Data collection will rely on direct interviews with

respondents.

Furthermore, the absence of substantial scientific literature on how mandated

school uniforms impact the gender expression of LGBTQ students poses a challenge

to the study. It will also rely on self-reported data, which may introduce bias or

inaccuracies. Lastly, the study will not explore the potential impact of school uniforms

on academic performance, which could be a significant aspect in the broader

discourse surrounding school uniform policies.

 Theory or Theoretical Perspective

In order to understand well how school uniform affects the gender expression

of students in Porfirio G. Comia Memorial National Highschool, this study will be

base to the following theories:

According to Kerry Grifitts (2019, uniforms can help to bring students together;

but because of their homogenising effect, may also act to stifle self-expression.

Modern uniforms tend to be less formal than in days gone by and can be as simple

as a polo shirt and sweater in particular school colours. Sex-specific school uniform

can be seen to enforce unhelpful gender stereotypes by limiting movement and

participation in school activities. Another view is that these types of uniforms can

restrict some students’ personal and gender expression at a formative time in their

lives.

Kouzemine (2018) stated that school uniform can cause an issue for children

and teens who have questions about their gender identification. It forces them to

conform to gender stereotypes in their dress; most uniforms consist of skirts for girls

and pants for boys. For example, if a girl feels she might be more comfortable in

boyish outfits, she is blocked from making that choice if she is in a school that

requires uniforms where she is forced to wear skirts. This choice could go mostly

unnoticed in a school where uniforms were not required, and she could feel more

comfortable in her dress choices.

According to Tuli (2021), giving students a "male uniform" without the choice

of wearing a skirt or an alternative is the same as stifling their ability to express

themselves and setting a "male" norm for what is appropriate. It might be argued that

a "trousers only" policy is not, in reality, gender-neutral and that a really gender-

neutral uniform would simply entail amending the language in school regulations
such that all students, regardless of their gender identity, had access to the school's

current uniform.

Happel (2013) argues that school uniform is linked to gendered performance,

where school uniforms underpin sex and gender roles, because they restrict

movement and confirm traditional gender identities. By breaking down the binary

gender stereotyping of gendered uniforms all students can access clothing options

that they feel comfortable in and options that they feel best reflect their gender

expression.
 Research Paradigm

Based on the on the preceding theoretical discussions, the research aims to

determining the effects of school uniform in freedom of gender expression of

students in Porfirio G. Comia Memorial National High School (COMEHI). This is

presented in the diagram below:

The figure above shows 3 (three) interconnected boxes: Input box, Process

box, and Output box. The input box contains all about the research questions

regarding, (1) the respondents' perspective and experiences towards wearing school

uniforms, and (2) effects of school uniform to the student’s gender expression.

Process box contains selection of respondents, semi-structure interview,

administration of survey questionnaire, collection of data, and analysis and

interpretation of data. Output box contains the proposed project and idea which is

implementation of gender-neutral uniform, should this study become successful.

Significance of the Study

This research aims to provide crucial information and knowledge regarding

the relationship of mandatory school uniform and gender expression of students in

COMEHI. The expected importance to the following individuals are as follows:

 The Researchers

Being a novice for this kind of topic is a challenge for Senior High School

students like the researchers. This study will be an instrument that will guide the

researchers in producing reliable and credible information that is needed for further

understanding of the topic. This research will be a primary source of enlightenment

that they will need for their further studies.

The Students of COMEHI

This study will be an eye-opener and a source of inspiration for the students to

express themselves freely. This research will also provide reference and serve as a

guide for future researchers undertaking similar studies.

The Educators

This study will provide awareness of the factors that may affect their students,

physically, mentally, and emotionally. This research will provide sufficient knowledge

in order to cease them with unwanted scenarios that will likely happen due to the

issue being addressed.