Sir, Sir, it’s a causal fallacy: School Uniform and politics…

So – we have seen a call from the Conservative Party for schools to enforce smart uniforms, have pupils stand when teachers enter the room, and call them Sir and Miss (or like some,perhaps, Madam).

The argument seems to run that good schools have uniforms / formal aspects: therefore the goodness of the schools must be a function of the dress of the pupils and the formal relation with teachers. (It may also be that the proponents of such a view have memories of their own formal schooling and the relative quality of the experience – but the principle is the same).

It looks here – to me – like a good old-fashioned causal fallacy. Without evidence that the uniforms and formal means of address have a causal connection to the behaviour / attainment of pupils – the connection could surely be either coincidental, or both could be the effects of some other, third cause…

Now – I was schooled in the 70s and 80s, and have, possibly as a result of liberal social conditioning, a deep aversion to school uniforms: but when I raise this in classes – my students all seem in favour of them – as do the parents of many of those at the same schools as my children: what’s going on in the world?

Is school uniform really a good thing? Why? Can anyone tell me good reasons for it?