School Uniforms or Not School Uniforms, That Is the Question

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.

Reports from The Journal of Educational Research reflect the belief that school uniforms have no direct effect on substance use, behavioral problems or attendance issues after analyzing data from the National Educational Longitudinal study of 1988. (Brunsma & Rockquemore, 2001, p 92) The authors of the article go on to make a bold claim that contrary to current discourse there may be a negative effect of school uniforms on student academic achievement. This research revelation was considered breaking news in its day of discovery.

School uniforms also promote school pride and safety of the students. Teachers and staff want their students to have school pride to show support and to promote the school. Students that have a strong school spirit will most likely have a superior attendance, school uniforms encourage this. In 2007 a peer-reviewed study showed that once school uniforms were introduced to teachers they soon felt an increase of trust and respect from students. Students also felt they were part of a team (School Uniforms). Students feel as if they are a whole when everyone is wearing the same attire. Nobody is left out and everyone is comprised. Student safety is extremely monitored in school systems and uniforms could help accomplish this problem. If an intruder were to enter the building, students would easily spot the intruder due to them not wearing the correct dress code. Uniforms promote school spirit and keep the students protected from danger.

While in a perfect world many educators say that school uniforms are an asset but I have to say school uniforms are detrimental to the students. School uniforms are a financial hardship on low-income families, make students a target for bullying, infringe on a students’ freedom of expression rights and they teach students a negative lesson about conformity.

School uniforms can benefit low income areas, places where crimes are high, and even to help the image of the school. I?m not saying with school uniforms that there will be no bullying or no crimes what I am saying is that school uniforms eliminate some of the issues. You can believe me because I have done a lot of research and checked myself with multiple different websites. I will first tell you the need for these uniforms. Then I will propose a solution, and last I will tell this affects you and maybe your future kids.

School uniforms help create a disciplined atmosphere that is necessary for success in academics (Brookshire 01, 02). Brookshire states that in this study it was realized that, “schools implemented uniforms in an attempt to reduce clothing costs for parents and to help curb social pressures.” (Brookshire 01) Meaning that, school uniforms bring forth more than just one advantage. As the uniforms help

Well studies show children with uniforms are more likely to affect the way they act in school with their behavior and their attendance. Academics are a whole other subject, uniforms are not proven to help grades climb, but it is proven to help behavior and pride in their school in which they attend. School pride is almost as important as schools academies.

School uniforms is the key to a bigger, better future. The basic clothing procedure phases out many types of harassment and creates a safe learning environment. Uniforms take away harsh borders that separate classmates and create school spirit. The positive impact school uniform have on students is an overlooked opportunity we must be informed about to create the next successful generation.

School uniforms also serve little to no purpose in benefiting the education of children around America. A uniform does not help a student learn things that they need to know. A uniform does not help a student study, take notes, or make flash cards. They bring no educational value to the table of learning. According to many educators and experts, “Uniforms do not improve academics, behavioral and social outcomes, or reduce discrimination or crime” (Farrell). So if a uniform cannot help a student increase their knowledge or grow as a person, why make students wear them?

According to Marian Wilde, who writes for GreatSchools¸ uniforms prevent gangs from forming on campus and encourage discipline (Wilde). Even Virginia Ann Bendel Draa, who wrote School Uniforms in Urban Public High Schools, said that school uniforms reduced the amount of suspensions in the school she did the study with (Draa). School Uniforms will create a safer school environment for kids because the students are less likely to get into trouble when at school while wearing school uniforms. Safer schools equals safer children. While having security guards at schools help prevent violence, they do not get rid of violence completely. Schools uniforms also decrease the amount of bullying because bullying can be triggered by many things like not having fashionable clothes (Armerding). School uniforms take away the

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

Since the 1990s, the practice of having public school students wear uniforms--like their private school peers--has been credited with some amazing results. School uniforms, proponents have said, can lead to improved discipline and classroom behavior, increased school attendance, respect for teachers, better school performance, higher student self-esteem and confidence, lower clothing costs, promotion of group spirit,

Schools, parents and students have debated over school uniforms since the past decade. School uniforms can make the school better in many ways. It can improve graduation and attendance rates. Lessen gang violence and economic differences between the students. School uniforms can even improve students discipline and behavior for the better. It can also show a great sense of school spirit.

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.