Benefits Of Mandatory School Uniforms

School uniforms are something that is very popular in other countries, but, when it comes to America, it just isn’t that simple. School uniforms have been a very controversial topic in public schools, many schools fight against them but some also are accepting them. A common argument against school uniforms is that it takes away the student's ability to express themselves and that it would be hard to enforce and cost a lot of money. While there are some potential problems with school uniforms they are still surprisingly beneficial. Public schools should require students to wear school uniforms to increase safety and decrease violence.

Today, many schools around the world require students to wear uniforms. Many people feel that uniforms reduce competition among students and bring a sense of unity within the school. People who are against school uniforms think that they prevent students from expressing themselves by obstructing individuality. Many students dislike school uniforms because uniforms can be seen as a reversal of their rights, while others agree with uniforms because it relieves the stress of choosing what to wear to school. As a consequence of the limitations to self-expression, school uniforms create a sense of equality among students. I believe that students should wear uniforms because school uniforms can reduce bullying in schools. Should students of public schools be allowed to weigh in on decisions regarding clothing or should all students be required to wear a uniform? School uniforms are the better option for many reasons. School uniform makes students and parents happier because it can make students’ lives simpler, they make them feel equal and can also help distinguish students from other people and Finally, it can reduce bullying in schools.

President Clinton once said, “If it means teenagers will stop killing each other over designer jackets, then our public school should be able to require their students to wear school uniforms.” School uniforms vary immensely among different schools with different rules because it can bring up an argument with as simple a side as how expensive they are to an extreme side such as defying someone’s freedom of speech. Both teachers and students are constantly discussing the school dress code and the complications with the system; therefore, a nation wide school uniform system should be enforced in all schools, including public, to prevent distractions from learning, to create a business attired environment, and to treat children the way they want and deserve to be treated in an adult-like manner.

However, resources channeled to public schools are not fully utilized by the students since they tend to focus so much on their attire than their studies. In schools where students do not have school uniform, for instance, students tend to disregard the core reasons of going to schools. They instead concentrate on what they put on, their appearance, and the latest fashionable clothes. To ensure sanity is restored among the students, school uniforms must be introduced in all public schools. It will help in improving students’ concentration on their studies thus improving their performance (Altheide 428). Cases like inferiority complex and low self-esteem among students will reduce by significant percentage since students will not be worried about what their classmates say about them. In fact, school uniforms will be crucial when dealing with the issues of social classes and groupings among students. Using school uniforms in public schools, students will not categorize themselves or identify with certain social classes. Moreover, governments will not have to incur many expenditures on public schools without achieving the policy objectives.

Every public school in the U.S. should require uniforms to be worn by all students. Requiring school uniforms is largely supported by administrators and parents, as the mandatory dress code may deter in-school violence and assist administrators in recognizing dangers earlier. Additionally, mandatory uniforms can increase the student’s focus on education, and decrease expenses in clothing for parents in an economically unstable environment.

President Bill Clinton promoted dress codes in his annual State of the Union address, the burgeoning uniform movement received a huge boost. (Update: School Uniforms) After the speech, demand for uniforms slowly increased. School uniforms should be required in all American schools. School uniforms would reduce crimes and violence on school property, improve student behavior, and improve students’ academic performances. These days, a lot of schools throughout the United States are requiring uniforms to be worn, many schools are seeing a big difference in the student’s behavior. Some schools say that school uniforms help them tell the difference between their students and an outsider doesn’t belong on school grounds. Uniforms will also prevent gangs from joining together during school hours.

I had never thoroughly taken into consideration the benefits and disadvantages that school uniforms presented until my family and I vacationed in England in early spring of 2015. While traveling we met up with a woman that my mother had known in High school. The woman had moved to the UK, and since had gotten married and had three children. One of the many conversations we had was about the British school environment and how it differed from American school standards. The mother had explained that the school her children attended required a school uniform, as most schools do in the UK. Those conversations sparked a curiosity in me that I had to quench. What are the benefits and disadvantages of school uniforms, and should we implement them more so in American schools? Although the questions I had were fairly straight forward, the answers proved to be more in-depth. Through my research I discovered several new ideas and values. As I read various different articles on the subject I began to develop an opinion of my own. Combined with my own personal experience, all though it be brief, and with the documented experiences and statistics, I can only pronounce that all the evidence leads to the idea that uniforms indeed are a treasured asset to our schools.

Until President Clinton called attention to the issue in his State of the Union address, mandatory public school uniform policies were sporadic local occurences. A few school districts had been quietly experimenting with uniforms for years, but the issue caught President Clinton's eye after the Long Beach, California school district released some numbers suggesting that after only one year, its mandatory uniform policy had not only brought about significant decreases in vandalism and fighting, but had also led to higher test scores. Now that the President's endorsement has elevated school uniforms into the realm of federal education policy, a question needs to be answered: Are uniforms a good idea?

During every school year, the issue on if school officials should or should not entail students to wear uniforms in school is a constant debate among the parents and staff members in school districts. Just like any other controversial issues, there are two sides to the argument representing both the good and bad points that exist behind student being required to wear uniforms in school. Although it can take students time to adjust to transitioning into the policy of being required to wear uniforms in school when it is first enforced, the benefits that come from them makes it all worth the hassle. Individuals against the idea of students being required to wear uniforms in school, often fail to see the bigger picture at hand. Uniforms help with removing negative situations in schools, along with helping parents save time and money.

The issue of mandatory school uniforms is one that has gained a lot of traction in the recent years. As you could imagine proponents of school uniforms will say that it increases graduation rates and decreases school violence. Opponents of it will say that it restricts freedom of expression, and is way to further restrict students’ rights. In a world where we are continually being restricted on our rights the positives of mandatory uniforms does not outweigh the negatives, because restricted kids’ minds at such a young age is a dangerous precedent.

“School forces unique individuals to think, act, and, look alike.” (Mokhonoana). Schools have now enforced a new rule in schools, in which students have to arrive on campus with their assigned uniforms on. School uniforms have many advantages and disadvantages, but this may affect students more than parents and teachers. Although school uniforms decrease the rate of bullying, in fact, by adding school uniforms, students have a limit on dress choices to express themselves and the struggle with uniform cost to afford school uniforms.

How many children would love just to roll out bed and not worry about what they are going to wear, or if they can afford the latest fashion? School uniforms are no longer just for private schools, as many public schools are choosing to us them as well. Should all children have to wear a school uniform, or should students be able to wear what they want? Should it be just a simple dress code instead of mandated school uniforms. As schools consider the use of uniforms, many topics must be dealt with. Administrators, parents, and students must deal with bullying, individuality, and costs when considering uniforms There are advantages and disadvantages to requiring students to wear uniforms to school.

School uniforms not only affect how students perceive themselves, but additionally show what will happen if school uniforms are allowed in all schools. Without school uniforms students can get bullied because of what they are wearing. This could affect how they perform not only socially, but also academically. If schools nationwide made a requirement to have school uniforms, this could help students worry less about their appearances and more about their education. Many studies are showing that if students are allowed to wear what they want, they can wear clothes that threatens other individuals. With school uniforms we can protect students, decrease crime, and enhance school’s systems academically.

    Wearing school uniforms promotes the increase in a better focus on education and better look at our future generations. Trapp states that “school uniforms help create a sense of community, thus promoting discipline and helping raise academic standards. This is why educators frequently adopt them when trying to revive failing schools”. This makes the school decrease the amount of peer pressure,makes the school seem like a whole community. School uniforms give a higher chance of getting them prepared for dressing up as they search for their future career. The principals explains that the dress code is the part of a new effort at the schools to prepare students for their futures as professionals; dressing for success will help them be successful(Bily 56). If students become comfortable wear school uniforms, they will get used to dressing up for special occasions. Chandler indicates that “As uniforms spread, researchers and educators cited a much wider array of benefits, including improved school culture, academic performance and attendance rates”. Spending time on looking for what type of clothing to wear for school takes valuable time away, making the students late for school. But with the help of school uniforms

     The implication of school uniforms on the public school system would make a dramatic positive change for the students now and in the future. Currently the public school system allows casual dress code attire throughout the United States. Differing from private school institutions, where uniforms are mandatory. School uniforms are beneficial to the students and to the parents of these students. Secondly, uniforms provide structure and unity within the schools. Lastly, school uniforms make the environment in which the students conduct in for approximately 6 – 7 hrs. of their day a safer