3. Uniformity Without Uniforms: Dressing School Children in Norway

Abstract

This chapter discusses the relationship between Norwegian schools' ideals of equality and the way in which school clothes are regulated. Interviews with a teacher in a transitional language learning group for newly arrived immigrant children, as well as with children and parents in immigrant families, are used to discuss whether school clothes inhibit or promote integration. The material shows great willingness of children to dress like the others, as well as understanding that clothing consumption is essential for integration in school, and thus society. At the same time, this is not easily achievable either economically, culturally or practically. Little is done to make Norwegian schools inclusive in this field of consumption.

Durable or cheap? Parents’ acquisition of children’s clothing

“…A study from Turkey revealed other important factors such as size of garment, price, quality, easy trade and payment options (Köksal, 2007). Some studies apply consumption theory to investigate how parents as consumers have a very specific role regarding their children's consumption (Klepp, Laitala, & Skuland, 2019;Storm-Mathisen, 2008). Thus, children's influence on household consumption is an important part of how consumption practices should be approached.…”

“…Children are outdoors regardless of weather and season, and the Nordic climate with its varying weather during all four seasons, demands clothing that can protect the child from being cold and wet and that enables movement. Kindergartens and schools have certain demands for clothes, both the ability to stay dry and warm and the amount of clothes (Klepp et al, 2019). Purchasing children's clothing, such as winter overalls and outdoor jackets, is expensive and can therefore be seen as a risk to the household economy if the garment is worn out faster than the child grows out of it (Klepp et al, 2019;Rutanen, Raittila, & Vuorisalo, 2019).…”

“…Kindergartens and schools have certain demands for clothes, both the ability to stay dry and warm and the amount of clothes (Klepp et al, 2019). Purchasing children's clothing, such as winter overalls and outdoor jackets, is expensive and can therefore be seen as a risk to the household economy if the garment is worn out faster than the child grows out of it (Klepp et al, 2019;Rutanen, Raittila, & Vuorisalo, 2019). Thus, longevity is an important consideration for some of the Norwegian parents.…”

“…This also relates to the fear of being perceived as a bad parent because a child is lacking the right type of clothing. This fear is more common among immigrants and parents struggling to make ends meet, as it requires capital in the form of competence and money to dress children in "quality clothes" (Klepp et al, 2019). There are no labelling schemes that indicate the quality or expected lifetime of clothing and the only compulsory information is fibre labelling.…”