The complete Scout uniform tends to diminish the importance of a person’s financial, social, and ethnic background while clearly showing each individual’s scouting accomplishments.  By dressing alike, Scouts show they are equals.  As quoted from the Handbook for Boys, 3rd Edition, 1927; “….putting on the uniform does not make a fellow a Scout, but putting on the uniform is a sign to the world that one has taken the Scout obligations and folks expect Scout-like acts from one wearing it”.