The Pros And Cons Of School Uniforms

According to the Penn State university's website there are many studies done to find if Uniforms are beneficial or not. In my opinion think they are not beneficial because of many reasons, one of them being that the students would not be comfortable in these uniforms thus making them more distracted. One study performed in 1995 disproves my argument but more recent studies show that that statistic can change.

I had never thoroughly taken into consideration the benefits and disadvantages that school uniforms presented until my family and I vacationed in England in early spring of 2015. While traveling we met up with a woman that my mother had known in High school. The woman had moved to the UK, and since had gotten married and had three children. One of the many conversations we had was about the British school environment and how it differed from American school standards. The mother had explained that the school her children attended required a school uniform, as most schools do in the UK. Those conversations sparked a curiosity in me that I had to quench. What are the benefits and disadvantages of school uniforms, and should we implement them more so in American schools? Although the questions I had were fairly straight forward, the answers proved to be more in-depth. Through my research I discovered several new ideas and values. As I read various different articles on the subject I began to develop an opinion of my own. Combined with my own personal experience, all though it be brief, and with the documented experiences and statistics, I can only pronounce that all the evidence leads to the idea that uniforms indeed are a treasured asset to our schools.

In addition to students not being able to express their emotions, if school uniforms are kept, the school uniforms will take away the diversity within the schools. As published in “School Uniforms,” “At a time when schools are encouraging an appreciation of diversity, enforcing standardized dress sends a contradictory message” (procon.org). School districts tend to express themselves as one to wanting diversity within the school, but the idea of school uniforms makes the schools contradict themselves. If the schools apply uniforms to the student’s lives then there will be no diversity causes every student will look the same. The school uniforms will withhold the students from having the ability of being different from the person on his or her left. School uniforms create the obstacle many students endure when trying to stand out and be different from the rest of the crowd at school.

“School forces unique individuals to think, act, and, look alike.” (Mokhonoana). Schools have now enforced a new rule in schools, in which students have to arrive on campus with their assigned uniforms on. School uniforms have many advantages and disadvantages, but this may affect students more than parents and teachers. Although school uniforms decrease the rate of bullying, in fact, by adding school uniforms, students have a limit on dress choices to express themselves and the struggle with uniform cost to afford school uniforms.

People say that school uniforms are a good thing. They prevent bullying, they are easier for parents to dress younger students, and they help students focus on studying, not what they are wearing. Are school administrators or "boomers" of the American school systems causing students to become Wendy's Berry's version of "stickers"? Having students wear school uniforms have several pros and cons to them, including the cost of uniforms, student’s self-image, bullying of students, and student’s academic behavior, but the stickers view (cons) outweigh the boomer's point of views.

Approximately 23% of all private and public schools around America have a uniform policy. The idea of bringing uniforms to schools is an issue that has been discussed and argued about for many years. There are very few students who believe that uniforms should be required, and other students just dislike the colors that come with them. Although uniforms have been known to make students look decent, there are many negative side effects that come with them. Some people think that a student wearing a uniform looks well and respectable, but many americans around the world strongly disagree with this statement. However, the popular opinion is clear. American say schools should not implement or enforce school uniforms because, they violate the

Dressing for success has always been an accepted concept. When you look the part, you feel better about yourself. When you feel good about yourself, you perform better. School uniforms are a perfect example of this illustration. When students wear uniforms, it makes school a better experience. This is because learning is made easier, safer and more fun. Many public schools have adopted uniforms for their dress code policy. Most private schools already require them. While there are many obvious benefits to schools enforcing the use of uniforms, some people may fear that making them mandatory will limit student’s self-expression and individuality. I would argue that while at school, the focus should always be first put on the task at hand, which is learning. Although not everyone agrees with policies that require school uniforms, the positive results far outweigh any negative outcomes. School uniform policies should be enforced throughout public schools because they improve academic achievement, increase safety measures and promote a sense of togetherness amongst students.

What if America could cut down the number of school shootings by changing one thing? Would they be willing to change it? What they could have a little more piece of mind when their children go on a school trip by changing one thing? Would they be willing to change it? What if someone knew that their child would not be sent home from school because of what they are wearing by changing a single thing? Would they change it? School uniforms are the change we need. A school shooter would stand out in a second. A child would be easily spotted in a crowd of people on that school trip. A girl would not get sent home from school because everyone could see her shoulder. School uniforms could save so many lives, from school shootings to a child getting lost on a school felid trip and much in between.

It is the age-old question, pondered endlessly by ancient philosophers and playwrights, scientists and mathematicians since the beginning of time: to uniform or not to uniform? Although uniforms were never a subject of choice for Hamlet, nor were they ever discussed by the great minds of history, there is some truth to the previous statement. Uniforms have consistently proven to be one of the largest debates regarding schooling, consistently showing to have two sides of seemingly equal strength. When looking at the opinions of students, the test subjects for this long-term experiment, the general consensus is that of opposition. Though they may not realize it now, however, there are real benefits in creating uniforms for students, both short-term and in the long run. All schools should implement uniform policies because of their ability to enhance students by improving well-being, creating safer communities, and teaching important life skills.

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

This not only affects how students perceive themselves but additionally shows what will happen if school uniforms are prohibited in all schools. Students will get bullied because of what they are wearing. This could affect how they perform socially but academically. If schools made a requirement to have school uniforms. Then this could help students worry less about their appearance and more about their education. Many studies are showing that if students are allowed to wear what they want they can wear clothing that harmfully threatens other individuals. Even though the first amendment states freedom of expression and individual should not have to criticized for being different.

“I went to private school for a very long time, and we always wore uniforms. Then in third grade, I switched to a public school, so I was so excited to wear what I wanted on the first day. I remember I chose this orange hoodie with a skirt, and it's so funny when I think about it now because my style really hasn't changed that much.” (Keke Palmer). Fashion is an extension of people. They define who people are and how they want people to see them. Private school, La Salle Catholic College Preparatory High School’s (LSCCP) dress codes are limiting students to show their true selves and mold the students into well behaved and well dressed students to create a classy and studious environment; especially the female students. There are significantly more rules that are set towards girls than to boys. Although, public school, Mt. Hood Community College’s (MHCC) dress codes are allowing their students to dress how they would like without harsh and specific rules as they dress themselves everyday. Therefore, LSCCP High School’s dress code is more sexist compared to MHCC’s dress code.

Why do parents send their kids to school? Of course, the answer to this question is to learn and socialize while having fun at the same time. But with the increased marketing and commercialization of celebrity-endorsed or branded-clothing and other youth-related products, these days getting ready for school, going to school, or staying in school is a challenge for students and parents. There is an increased pressure of keeping up with the dresses and appearances, especially for the students in schools with no uniforms. As a result of this increased pressure, students are constantly comparing and measuring themselves to their peers to fit in instead of focusing on education. All this constant comparison and measuring in turn results in behavior problems and violence related to clothing. In fact, the focus on fashion and appearance is so much that the true purpose of going to school is getting lost. In other words, with students placing greater value on dresses and appearances, there seems to be an increase in dress-related behavioral problems and violence in schools, and the best solution is to reduce such occurrences is to implement school uniforms.

According to Mehrotra (2011), The use of school uniform in the United States is slowly finding its way into public schools. The uniform policy was implemented in order to mold the students in a professional atmosphere and make them more responsible towards studies. When a student dons a school uniform, he/she is ushered into an environment which encourages learning and teaches the value of harmony and equality among the classmates. Many countries have school uniforms resembling military outfits. Debate over issues of making uniform mandatory in schools has sparked controversy in many parts of the world. Usage of uniforms is intended to blend the students irrespective of their caste, color, creed, and status.

Public school systems across the country are now requiring students to wear uniforms. Can uniforms really make a difference in a child's academic performance? Wouldn't uniforms infringe the child's creativity and self expression? The "clothes don't make the child" right (Hempill A15)? Wrong. School uniforms can drastically reduce school violence and help a student to focus on school work. In 1996, President Clinton endorsed public school uniforms in his State of the Union Address(Atkins 42). This created a rage among some education critics across the country. Critics complain that uniforms will lessen children's individualism and creativity, infringing students' rights and hint of racism. While proponents believe, uniforms will put the students emphasis on schoolwork instead of dressing coolly, and they will help to lower school violence. The idea comes from a Californian elementary school in Long Beach. "In 1994, Long Beach became the country's first public school district to institute a mandatory uniform policy"(Atkins 42). The results were so promising that they lead to the President's endorsement. The school saw a fifty-one percent drop in physical fights, a thirty-four percent drop in assaults and batteries, a fifty percent drop in weapons offenses, and a thirty-two percent drop in school suspensions(Mancini 65). All this in a time span of only one year. Proving that a child's clothes does make a difference in school violence. In a time when school children are getting