Pros And Cons Of School Uniforms

The argument I am looking to convey to the audience is that requiring high school students to wear uniforms should be overturned allowing students to wear what they want. The reasoning behind this argument is lack of proof that it lessens the chances of getting bullied, strips young adolescents of their individuality, and creates a competitive market for parents to have to in essence spend more money than save. There was the desired goal of creating the school uniform policy to put an end to bullying. However, that vision has yet to come to fruition with the reality being the policy is adding more negatives than visible positives. These aspects highlight why grade schools K-12 should cease with the requirement for students to have to wear uniforms.

As the years pass, many students have been bullied, a bully, or they just hate school and this was affecting their lives academically. School boards tried to find a way to improve the way students feel about themselves and about school, and they came up with the idea of school uniforms. School uniforms have been associated with just the Catholic school, but are now showing up in public schools across the country. According to the National Center for Education Statistics: Indicators of School Crime and Safety, 2011, twenty-one states require students to wear uniforms in the public school system (Pros and Cons of School Uniforms Statistics). This has seemed to work tremendously in the school system. In education, school uniforms assist with student success, academically, socially, and personally.

An educational institution was not intended to be a platform for students to parade fashion, wealth or privilege. Too often, kids are preoccupied and obsessed about popularity, social standings, and how they can fit in. How children dress themselves often separates the haves from the have-nots. Households that are struggling to make ends meet are not financially able to keep up with fashion trends and can be targeted for bullying. When peers are dressed in uniforms, the social class distinction becomes much less obvious, prejudice and discrimination will lessen; which ultimately create a less hostile environment. As a result, school uniforms will compel students to spend their time expressing themselves through other channels; such as art, music, sports, and academic achievement.

In 1980 the Catholic schools were recognized for having their students in uniforms, and they believed it would improve the performance, along with it applying more applicable discipline for their students. Since the Catholic schools recognition for uniforms, some of the public schools since then has taken it upon themselves to apply the same policy with in their own schools. At looking at the schools today, it would be found that over half of them do have a uniform policy in place. Being able to look at the good and the bad with in the students wearing uniforms, it is seeming to most that it is a beneficial policy for them.

School uniforms and dress codes are becoming a popular trend among schools. Most Students and some parents don’t agree with the enforcement with school uniforms, saying that uniforms are taking away self-expression in schools. But, school uniforms are not a negative thing to have. Yes, uniforms and some very strict dress codes limit what the students have to choose to wear to school every day, but it doesn’t limit them from learning which is the main reason they are in school. Some students treat school as a fashion show, so eliminating the size of wardrobe shifts the attention toward their school work. Although requiring students to wear school uniforms may violate their self-expression in some ways, a uniform is supposed to be looked

Uniforms undermines a student’s academic performance and achievement. Others say that uniforms help in academic areas and uniforms should be required. “Additionally, educators report a decrease in violence, a reduction in fights in schools and improved student achievement when dress codes have been implemented”(Source D). This quote states that school uniforms are helping students improve in academics and reduce violence. However, in the article “School Uniforms: An Overview”, it states “ He also concluded that the use of school

However, most of these beliefs originate from an experiment done 20 years ago in Long Beach California. The school was struggling with high student criminal rates and then started to require their students to wear uniforms, which, in that particular situation, succeeded in lowering the rates. Yet a lot of studies have been done since then with extremely contradicting results (Do School Uniforms…). A much more accurate study by The National Center for Education Statistics contains results from different students from various schools and locations from eighth grade to college. This study showed that there was no change in issues such as substance abuse, behavioral problems, and bullying. In fact, many schools in England are neglecting uniforms because teachers claim that they are spending too much time arguing with their students over small things like un-tucked shirts, and that it is distracting them from actually educating their students (Do School Uniforms…). This shows that the leaders of a school should not assume that the common beliefs of uniforms are facts, and instead pay more attention to what the students feel; considering they are the ones actually having to wear them. A survey was conducted of 100 students at the East Wake Academy High School in Zebulon North Carolina, freshman through senior classes,

If kids were required to wear uniforms, it would take away their individualism. Today, clothing is a big deal in a teen's life; it makes a statement about a person’s personality. People want to develop their own style to try to fit in with others or mainly try to stand out. By taking away the ability to wear different clothes and making students wear uniforms, takes away an individual’s personality. To take away a students’ right to choose what to wear really affects how one acts versus how they would act if they wore uniforms. Not only do uniforms affect students, it also puts some responsibilities on parents.

In America, there are about 49 million students enrolled into public schools of kindergarten through twelfth grade. Plus, six million students attend private schools. In that 55 million of students that attend school 47% to 57% wear school uniforms. Schools believe that it helps with discipline and attendance. But they don’t realize the negative effects to students wearing the uniforms. Schools shouldn’t enforce kids to wear the uniforms.

Every year there is a large debate about school uniforms and whether they should be required in our public schools, or not. Some parents and school staff think that uniform policies should be enforced, as they feel it provides a sense of safety, structure, a lack of ridicule and modesty to our children. On the other hand, there are parents that argue that it takes away a child’s freedom of expression, independence, free spirit and individuality. Both parties have good and effective arguments and I hope to provide insight into this subject, so that you can gather current and valid information.

Can you believe that only 12% of high schools wear school uniforms, while 20% of elementary school wear school uniforms (Lake). When they have schools require school uniforms, the students are suppose to dress the same everyday to look unified with one another. Uniformity, feeling uncomfortable, and the First amendment protections should convince others against requiry of school uniforms.

It is a belief that school uniforms teach students to respect their learning environment and behave themselves, and, therefore improving discipline. However, that assumption isn’t entirely correct. Researchers have actually found that school uniforms don’t make students better behaved. According to a study of more than 4,500 students, those who wore a school uniform did not have fewer behavior problems or better attendance. Forcing students to wear uniforms lead to more problems and misbehavior instead of encouraging discipline. Students could get into trouble if they did not wear their uniforms correctly. Many kids in today’s society cannot stand the thought of someone telling them what to do, especially what to wear. Instead of encouraging respect, uniforms may cause rebellions. For example, in 2009, a group of students at John A. Ferguson Senior High School rebelled against their school uniforms. Instead of following their school uniform requirements, the students wore what they thought would be a better school uniform to school. Not only uniforms don’t earn schools the respect from its students, but it may also lead to more problems.

School Uniforms are being pushed more and more in schools, but what is commonly thought of when the words “school uniform” is said? For most people the picture of children in the same colored uniforms gathered in front of a Catholic Church or a private school is displayed in their mind. This picture is one of the many problems with school uniforms. Instead of being seen as an individual, students are seen as just another kid in a uniform attending a fancy private school. The students cannot develop the self-expression that is crucial to their development at this age. Uniforms are thought to create a more protected campus and learning environment, however, if someone wants to bully someone else, clothes are not going to stop them. The cost, which is usually seen as a pro, can actually be more than people anticipate. As one can see, in the best interest of any student, school uniforms should not be made part of the dress code.

Many Independent school districts have debated, whether students should wear school uniforms. Deliberating, how school uniforms could benefit not only the student but the school’s environment. According to the National Center for Education statistic 20% of all public-school use school uniforms and still increasing. Considering all grade levels, the proponents agree that school uniforms are a great idea, believing this would be another step toward creating a better learning environment, decrease violence in schools and create a great social path between students. However, the opponents disagree school uniforms are not a great idea, believing it may cost more money, students would be uncomfortable and create more chores for the parents to manage.

Before one considers how implementation of school uniforms will help, one needs to realize that clothing-related behavioral problems and violence does exist and is becoming a major problem, especially in schools where there are no school uniform policies, and threatening students’ success in school. As Keith A. King mentions in