"Can We Not Wear the Uniform?": Inter-School Heterogeneity in the Uniform System of Public High Schools and Its Internalized Discipline on Students—A Field Study of Key High Schools in Hangzhou

Kuang Xi

doi:10.54254/2753-7048/2027.37694

Kuang Xi^*

Hangzhou No.14 High School

^* Corresponding author: xk_20090603@qq.com

Published: 13 October 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.54254/2753-7048/2027.37694

Abstract

School uniforms are a non-autonomous self-performance of students in public high schools under the disciplinary power of the school. Previous studies have mostly focused on students' resistance to uniforms as reflected in symbolic interactionism and subcultural construction. However, these studies have prompted some reflections: Are the uniform systems in today's public high schools as strict as the public imagines? Have they changed with the times? Is there a potential connection between uniform systems and public recognition of schools? Do high school students still commonly modify or resist uniforms? How do they perform self-expression and seek self-identity? Moreover, previous researchers have not studied uniforms from the perspective of those who are disciplined by the uniform system, lacking long-term observation and personal experience. Drawing on my daily observations as a student at a key high school in Hangzhou and on semi-structured interviews with students from multiple schools, this study uses qualitative research methods to horizontally compare institutional heterogeneity in uniform styles, dress regulations, and inspection intensity among key high schools in Hangzhou. It also takes a key high school in Hangzhou as a field to explore the specific ways students there engage in self-performance. The findings are as follows: (1) The uniform policies of key high schools in Hangzhou are closely related to student quality, school culture, and academic performance. (2) With the changing times, most students do not resist the act of "wearing a uniform" itself; instead, they regard it as a natural given, reflecting the reshaping of subjectivity brought by the internalized discipline of the uniform system. (3) The reshaped subjectivity still yearns for self-identity. Students use residual performative spaces—such as earrings, shoes, and accessories—to maintain limited space for self-expression.

Keywords: school uniform system , public high schools , institutional heterogeneity , internalized discipline , residual performative space

LNEP Vol.161

ISSN (Print): 2753-7048

ISSN (Online): 2753-7056

ISBN (Print): 978-1-80915-042-4

ISBN (Online): 978-1-80915-043-1

Download Cover

Article Information

Received: 17 September 2026

Published: 13 October 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.54254/2753-7048/2027.37694

Article Type: Research Article

Cite this article

Xi,K. (2026). "Can We Not Wear the Uniform?": Inter-School Heterogeneity in the Uniform System of Public High Schools and Its Internalized Discipline on Students—A Field Study of Key High Schools in Hangzhou. Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media,161,1-8.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

Disclaimer/Publisher's Note

The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of EWA Publishing and/or the editor(s). EWA Publishing and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content.

About this Volume

Volume Title: LNEP Vol.161

Part of Series: Lecture Notes in Education Psychology and Public Media

ISSN: 2753-7048 (Print) / 2753-7056 (Online)

Article Information

Cite this article

Data availability

Disclaimer/Publisher's Note

About this Volume

Copyright & License