School Uniform Controversy

Most commonly found in private schools, school uniforms are slowly being adopted by public schools in the US. In the 2003-2004 school year every one in eight schools required uniforms; in the 2011-2012 school year that number had increased to every one in five schools (ProCon.org). As violence increased, schools started enforcing uniforms thinking that it would solve the violence. School uniforms were created in England in the 16th century for students referred to as the “charity children” (ProCon.org). In later centuries, high-class schools were the most commonly known for requiring their students to wear uniforms. The first recorded time a public school in the US required uniforms was in 1987, a school in Maryland put out an optional uniform policy (ProCon.org). Uniforms have been being enforced by private schools for years, but now public schools are trying to enforce them. Students should not be required to wear uniforms because it refuses students the ability to express themselves, dress codes are more effective, and uniforms can cause a detrimental effect on self-image.

School uniforms delay a student’s transition into becoming an adult, so uniforms should not be entailed. According to PublicSchoolReview.com, “Students that are forced to wear uniforms are ill-prepared to become an adult that has to choose things for themselves” (ProCon.org). Everyone knows that adulthood involves making your own choices. All throughout high-school, students that get to choose what they wear already know what clothing they like and what they feel they look best in. However, with a uniform policy, students would then have to experiment with new clothing and could potentially waste money right away.

Over the past couple of years, there has been an ongoing debate about whether students should wear uniforms. There are some people who believe that it does have an influence on students as far as improving grades or behavior. Opposing arguments say that students wearing uniforms restricts them from expressing their individuality. Wearing uniforms should be a requirement in public schools. The reason why students should have to wear uniforms is that it helps focus more on learning rather than clothing, uniform apparel can be less expensive than casual clothing, and it reduces violence in schools.

For quite some time now there has been an ongoing discussion about students wearing school uniforms in public schools. Is students in the public-school system play a major role on them academically? Is making the students wear uniforms unfair or does it show equality? What image does it set for the schools that do have a uniform policy? Over the last few decades, the schools, parents, and students have had a debatable issue over the uniform matter.

School uniforms are a debatable topic that has been going on for years. Fashion has began to overrule schools rather than education. There are quite some people who believe school uniforms should not be enforced, however, many also believe that school uniforms are the best things for students. School uniforms are a great resource and will cause less chaos in schools because they will ensure equality, provide safety to the school, and are cost effective.

The history of school uniforms in the United States public schools begins with small underprivileged school of Cherry Hill Elementary in Maryland and the domino effect that happened soon after in the years after. The popularity of school uniforms can greatly be credited to the Long Beach, California study and President Bill Clinton’s speech on the topic. At first, school uniforms were only for the private or Catholic private schools however the school uniform trend spread to other public schools to adopt the “preppy look” and success. This has now set new standard for the United States school system. A brief history of school uniforms will give a significant insight on the growing development that is transforming American schools.

Public schools should not require uniforms. For example, some students express themselves through their clothes. According to, “Misguided Education Reform: Debating the Impact on Students," Nancy E. Bailey states that “Teens should be able to develop self-expression and their personal identity. Instead, they might resort to unconventional piercings and tattoos... School uniforms encourage followers not leaders. The practice discourages independent thinkers. ” Students should feel that they can show their true selves and express themselves instead of being restricted. In addition kids should choose what outfit they want to wear, when they want to wear it. In “Should Students Have to Wear School Uniforms?”, ProCon.Org states that, “The First

In “Public School Uniforms: The Pros and Cons For Your Child”, Grace Chen states that 20% of all public schools have adopted uniform mandates. Public schools didn’t have school uniforms till 1994. Schools wanted to have school uniforms to address safety issues. According to school district data, within a year, the fights and muggings at school decreased by 50%, while sexual offenses were reduced by 74%. More schools across the country are requiring uniforms at their schools, which are naming school safety as their primary motivation. Other statistics argue that uniforms are not as beneficial as school administrators and parents are encouraged to believe. Some opponents say that the lack of individualism and comfort among students are decreasing their learning and success. The real question would be: are public school uniforms good for the children. School uniforms aren’t good for the children.

The most frequently used argument to school uniforms is that it takes away the students right to express themselves. While this is true, a student can still find ways to express themselves. Coming up with a new, creative way to express themselves such as band or basketball. Just because a student cannot wear the most fashionable top doesn't mean their rights have

Parents around the globe have emphasized the controversy over school uniforms. During the school year of 2011-2012, one in every five school required students to wear school uniforms. America 's first documented schools to inaugurate uniforms were in Maryland and Washington. Throughout the previous years in America, there have been numerous disputes whether school uniforms should be in public schools. In the last 30 years, public schools have often been hostilely compared to private schools. This being said some public schools decided to change their dress code policy.

In the United States alone, 20% of the kids that go to school wear uniforms. Uniforms are becoming popular and are soon to be trending all around school districts and other learning facilities. Around the world, some schools enforce uniforms for a majority of reasons. Most kids, including myself, believe school uniforms should not be enforced. There are plenty of reasons and no actions have not been taken.

Making students wear uniforms violates a student right to freedom of expression. They are also hard to enforce in public schools. It’s also an unfair additional expense for parents who pay taxes for a free public education.

Most importantly, wearing a uniforms has been proven to host little to no academic advantages. I came from a failing school district which enforced a mandatory uniform policy. It was embarrassing and depressing to know that some of my friends in other school districts were receiving a better education in addition to being able to wear what they want. “A 1999 Texas Southern University study found that school discipline incidents rose by about 12% after the introduction of uniforms.” It appears the same thing that school officials claim benefits students has a negative impact on them.

Opposed to the argument for school uniforms, the ACLU argues that school uniforms go against the First Amendment. It is agreed that school uniforms stifle a student's self expression. Many educators and sociology experts argue that school uniforms interrupt a child's development as a person. Experts also believe that school uniforms do not prepare check Loren for the real world, where they will be judged by their

The first major reason for not wearing school uniforms is, it forces a student to conceal his or her individuality. To many people, it appears that the school system is trying to strip away this individuality on purpose, but now is the time that the school should be embracing it and helping the student become the person they are meant to become. “According to opponents of uniforms, even preschoolers should have input into their wardrobe, and the need to encourage personality, confidence, and independence grows more important as the student becomes older” (Chen). Because of this lack of self-expression, students feel their first amendment is being violated and most people would agree, which causes the school to look bad. Another way of looking at it is they are forcing students to become on mold, or one certain way of being. However, the problem with making them one is, no matter how they look they will still have their own individual personality traits that will come out in the end. If forced to wear the uniforms, many students would express these traits by adding things to their uniform such as brightly colored gems for girls and different