Plan would require foster children to shop for clothing in thrift stores

[ggforever]

Should we be pushing for school uniforms?! Very successful in the private schools as well as some large urban districts, such as Long Beach Unified in California.

I do think that children who dress "differently" can be singled out and it is awful. Whether we like to admit it or not, the kids establish their own "uniforms" and if you cannot afford the latest trend, your life can be miserable.

I grew up with lots of hand-me-downs and clothing from the "nearly new" shop. Go to one of the California Charity League shops and you can see some amazing items, some of which have not been worn. That being said, I think it should be up to the foster parents. $60 would not go very far in most places - even a thrift shop. New socks and underwear can eat up 1/3 of the allowance.

I am sure the person who proposed this walked 10 miles to school in the snow as well.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by ggforever

I do think that children who dress "differently" can be singled out and it is awful. Whether we like to admit it or not, the kids establish their own "uniforms" and if you cannot afford the latest trend, your life can be miserable.

Absolutely, and kids (especially pre-teen and teenage girls) can be extremely cruel towards their peers who don't have the same "stuff." I remember years after HS graduation, talking to one of my elementary school classmates who wished that we had uniforms because the girls would pick on her for being poor. It was something I didn't experience (I wasn't into trendy clothing), but I never realized how difficult it might have been for someone in her situation--and she just had two working parents and wasn't in a foster care situation (granted, they were kind of PWT). I imagine this is where the phenomenon of working-class and low-income parents will sacrifice other things to get their kids designer clothes originates.

I can see having partnerships with low-cost clothing places to encourage foster parents to shop there--maybe BOGO offers or special sales for winter coats? But, these people are probably already being extremely prudent and going to Wal-Mart, using hand-me-downs, that Caswell's suggestion is downright condescending.

Also, you can't buy underwear at thrift stores. What was this dude thinking?