Stereotypes And The Benefits Of Wearing School Uniforms

With gang activity, strict dress codes, and bullying becoming more relevant, the idea of school uniforms crosses the mind of many school districts across the country. Even though it may stop students from expressing themselves it would make it easier for staff members to enforce these strict dress codes, reduce the amount of bullying, and overall make schools easier. Which is why schools should have 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.

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.

School uniforms would decrease violence in many public schools because they would reduce the amount of theft that may occur, the amount of bullying that occurs on a daily basis, and the amount of attempted or successful murders that occur. Uniforms would reduce the amount of theft that occurs because every student would be wearing the same clothing. If every student is wearing the same article of clothing, students would not be tempted to steal clothing, shoes, or jewelry from one another. Uniforms would also make every student feel a sense of equality.

Furthermore, school uniforms have the potential to make schools a whole lot safer. Think of it like this – if you were to see a student walk in wearing an ugly polo shirt and sweat pants, (s)he would probably be picked on just because of what (s)he is wearing. We as humans naturally judge on what we see first, and it’s usually their face / clothing. If school uniforms were implemented in many places, then it would eradicate school violence and students wouldn’t be indignant with each other based on what they wear. Also, since everyone on school grounds is wearing their uniform, it would be easy to pinpoint unwanted visitors and be one step ahead. Not to mention it would help kids with less money evade the bullying and teasing that they would usually receive, which brings me to my next point.

Having school uniforms greatly decrease one’s way to get bullied. “Perhaps most importantly, a uniform means students don't have to worry about peer pressure when it comes to their clothes. When everyone is dressed the same, worrying about what you look like isn't so important. There is no competition about being dressed in the latest trend, which would put a great deal of financial pressure on students and parents. Potential bullies have one less target for their insults; it's hard to make fun of what someone is wearing when you're dressed exactly the same...” (Should Students Have to Wear School Uniforms?). With the same as gang violence, having uniforms does not get rid of bullying altogether. With my experiences in both non-uniform and uniform enforced schools, I saw far less bullying in schools with uniforms. Most of the bullying incidents I have seen are focused on the kid’s appearance due to clothing. Having the uniforms can help students look at each other in a more equal

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.

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

Having uniforms will not stop the bullying at schools. Schools think if students wear uniforms it will result in less bullying with one another. Schools will always have one kid that will do bad things either ways if he or she still wears uniform their can still be a gang that will bully them. In the article “Uniform Effect?” by Viadero he states “Children at this age are always going to find something wrong with someone.” Viadero states quote from Mikesell-Bailey because no matter what any kid will find a way to bully someone just to be cool. If students wear uniforms and some kids don't like it and they feel ashamed of themselves there will be at least one girl or boy that will bully that person of the way they look with it and it goes the

Another benefit of uniforms is that they make the school is safer. In recent events there has been school shootings. Keeping weapons out of school is a huge safety concern. One positive effect of school uniforms is that it can prevent school shootings. To increase school safety, school uniforms identify who belongs on campus and who doesn’t as well as preventing gang “colors” from corrupting schools. Some people might think it focuses on the idea that requiring a uniform violates children's individual rights. Groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union have voiced concerns about the cost of uniforms, specifically that some disadvantaged parents are unable to afford them. It’s better to have an enhanced learning environment, without bullying and

School uniforms would help reduce crime and violence on the school property. School violence in all its harmful forms has potentially serious short-term and long-term effects on the individual student, the school as a whole, and the society. (Schier, 24) In the 1950’s, violence at school became commoner especially violence associated with gangs. (Davidson, 9) From the 1950’s through the 1970’s the number of crimes committed by teens at schools significantly increased. (Davidson, 9) School officials argued with the court that student’s loose-fitting clothing could be used to hide guns and other weapons. (“Update: School Uniforms”) With school uniforms, students wouldn’t be wearing baggy clothing, which would reduce weapons coming into the school. In 1995, Long Beach School District required uniforms for all students in kindergarten through eighth grade. (Konheim-Kalkstein, “A Uniform Look”) The Long Beach School District in California was the first largest urban school district to require uniforms. (Konheim-Kalkstein, “A Uniform Look”) Five years later, they said the overall crime in the school district dropped down by ninety-nine percent. (Konheim-Kalkstein, “A Uniform Look”) In urban schools, fashion trends are often characterized by gang-related clothing. School Uniforms can diminish gangs. (Konheim-Kalkstein, “A Uniform Look”) Diminishing gangs would reduce violence. After introducing uniforms, the Birmingham, Alabama

1. King also points out,” More specifically, many have argued that school uniforms assist in reducing school violence and theft; preventing gang activity, such as students wearing gang colors and gang insignia; providing discipline in students; helping students concentrate on their school work; helping students to resist peer pressure; and helping school officials easily recognize school intruders. (P.32, P.33)

The next advantage of public school uniforms can be identified as the reduction of bullying behaviors. Everyone benefits by adopting the uniform policy. It helps students to unite and share a same goal – learning. Also, by adopting the

When it comes to the topic of school uniforms, most of us agree that it would really help the students. Where this argument usually ends is what kind of good will it bring. whereas some are convinced that it messes with students individuality, but others maintain that it will lower crime rates.

School uniforms do not stop bullying. Caroline Doyle was a middle school student who spent 8 years in private schools, and she says there is no decrease in bullying with or without uniforms (Doyle). “Uniforms don’t make everyone the same, They just make everyone look the same, There’s a difference, and not everyone realizes it. I have been victim of, and witness to, different degrees of bullying when I was in a school uniform, and it’s just as bad as at a public school with free dress. I know public schooled kids who have been bullied to the same level of intensity as in a uniform private school”(Doyle). Most people think uniforms make students feel safer but this peer review begs to differ. “A 2007 peer-reviewed study found that "school uniforms increased the average number of assaults by about 14 [per year] in the most violent schools (Bumgarner).” People always say uniforms stop violence but is there any real proof? “Tony Volk, PhD, Associate Professor at Brock University, stated, "Overall, there is no