Why Should Schools Require Students To Wear Uniforms

Many schools each year are gradually turning towards the use of school uniforms. Statistics show that 5% of schools worldwide are starting to take use in having school uniforms. I believe that schools should have uniforms because it limits kids to getting bullied, parents don’t have to worry if their kids have name brand clothing or not, and the school doesn’t have to worry about kids dressing inappropriately.

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.

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.

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.

The idea of uniforms being required for public school students has been a widely controversial topic in the recent past. In the 2003-2004 school year, only one in eight public schools required students to wear uniforms (ProConorg Headlines). In the 2013-2014 school year, one in five public schools required students to wear uniforms (ProConorg Headlines). This essay will discuss the reasons that uniforms restrict the individuality of students, burdens families that cannot afford two sets of clothes for each of their children (Farrell), and serve little to none purpose in benefitting the education of students. Uniforms are meant for the workforce, not school children.

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

School uniforms are becoming a popular trend amongst schools worldwide. Students and even most parents don’t agree with the implementation with school uniforms; declaring that uniforms take away the right of self-expression. This topic has both pros and cons that can impact youth in both a good and bad way. School uniforms can be beneficial to learning. The most common argument against school uniforms is that they take away the students right to self- expression. Requiring school uniforms eliminate the debate over whether to require uniforms or not is controversial, undeniably complex, and, from the analyses and arguments that are unquestionably rooted in multifaceted social, political, legal, cultural, racial material, and educational structures. The topic has both pros and cons that can be impact youth in both a good and bad way. One factor can be Academic outcomes; uniforms can reflect a student’s work ethnic as well as grades. Another factor can be behavioral outcomes; wearing uniforms may change a student’s attitude to being more professional since they look more

Should uniforms in U.S. schools be Mandatory? Should teachers and principals be allowed to suppress the human rights of the youth in the United States? The answer is no. Uniforms should not be mandatory in U.S. schools because children dislike school uniforms, uniforms eliminate kids ability to be creative, but uniforms bring equality among students.

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result. Evenings spent laying out school clothes for grandchildren quickly teaches just how insane the current expectations for school dress can be each day. Individuals face this problem on a daily basis, which can be a stressful task. Mandatory school uniforms can benefit each family member in numinous ways. Financial burdens for parents and constant peer comparison for children. It also allows students of differing backgrounds to be brought together to express themselves equally. One can clearly see that school uniforms should become mandatory in all public education systems, K-12 in so doing, improving the overall experience for everyone involved.

There has always been a big controversy on whether schools should require students to wear uniforms issued by the school. Some believe that students should have the freedom to wear whatever they would like to express themselves. Others believe that students should wear uniforms to reduce bullying and provide a look of success. Schools should be required to have students wear uniforms.

Educators and parents, alike, want safe, respectful learning-oriented schools for their children. In 1996, President Bill Clinton challenged schools “to teach character education, … And if it means that teenagers will stop killing each other over designer jackets, then our public schools should be able to require their students to wear school uniforms.” (Boutelle 36). As a result, the "Manual on School Uniforms" was issued by the government to provide guidelines for those considering establishing a school uniform policy. Ever since, proponents and opponents of mandated school uniforms have been at odds with both sides strongly supporting their views. Uniform requirements can differ between schools requiring specific colors, styles, and types of clothing, ranging from white shirts and ties with blazers with school logos to simple pants and shirts in school colors. According to the report, "Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2013." by National Center for Education Statistics, nearly twenty per cent of all public schools have adopted school uniform mandates in the school year 2011-2012. This essay supports the position that mandated school uniforms may resolve several problems facing today’s public schools.

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,

The argument concludes that the Bayview high School should require its students to wear the uniforms while at school and by doing so, its students will earn higher grades, based on the premise that the students of another private school in town, Acorn Valley Academy earn higher grades wear uniforms at school. Stated in this way, the argument fails to mention several key factors on the basis of which it could be evaluated. The conclusion of the argument relies on the assumption for which there is no clear evidence. Hence the argument is unconvincing and fallacious.

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.