We Are Not our Clothes - The Case for School Uniforms Essay

The prominent reason behind the various overdone school rules regarding dress is the loose power that administrators have been given. They have been “reserve[d] the right to determine if a clothing item or accessory is appropriate for school” (Carroll High School Student Handbook 2010-2011 18). The officials at school are using their own personal opinions to judge the students’ dress. Since styles change as time goes on, the generation in control and the

Schools sought out to fight the war against bullying with the idea that having fewer differences in dress code would slow down or end bullying. This simply is not the case. Bullying is a universal happening that is predicated on the behavior of students toward their peers, not the clothes they wear. This could occur over a number of different reasons none corresponding with what the students wear. In addition, students still can choose different name brand forms to their uniform choices therefore, there still remains the disconnect in regards to stopping bullying through what the students are allowed to wear. The conclusion on this matter is that with schools taking away clothing options privileges it only succeeds in establishing new tactics for bullies to employ instead of abolishing bullying altogether.

Dress codes in middle and high schools are a form of discrimination against teenage girls in today’s society. Parents and students all over the country argue that dress codes are directed mainly at girls and are a blatant example of gender inequality. The idea behind the strict enforcement of a dress code is that it will teach self-respect and raise moral standards for the students. However, when the reason for many dress code violations is questioned the rationale is often to prevent distracting the male students. Young women across the country are being shamed and punished for wearing what schools consider immodest and being a distraction to their male peers. This discrimination against female students results in their clothes being strictly regulated and dress coded more often than male students’ clothes are. The enforcement of these discriminatory dress codes has become a form of public humiliation for female students. Theoretically, a dress code makes sense and should be effective. In reality, it does not affect how students dress but causes a distraction and interruption of a girl’s education.

School uniforms do nothing to prevent bullying. Linne Hoofnagle’s article goes on to say that, “If we convince ourselves that placing limits on clothing choices will eliminate school bullying, we are kidding ourselves” (Hoofnagle). The idea that all the harassment that takes place in school is centered around student’s wardrobes is preposterous. If you make students all dress alike the center of the bullying may move to if they have money, the presence or absence of glasses, condition of their skin, height, and weight. School faculty and administration are just looking at the superficial causes of bullying and not looking at the root of the problem. As a result, they are not only punishing the bully by

The anonymous author of Rules of Fashion says that the dress code is one thing that has served to lower crime, violence, and increase attendance and increase learning at a lot of schools. And a dress code itself and important statement because we want our young children, whether rich, poor, or middle class, when they're in school to define themselves primarily in terms of what's going on inside, not what they're wearing not he outside (Anonymous 2).

My reply to the editor of Northwest Florida Daily News is that there is no concrete way which will ever guarantee improving attitudes. To ensure better behavior is more complex than merely using material means. Proper education and parental guidance are also keys for good character formation. Nevertheless, removing features like fashion trends and gang symbols that could amplify distinctness could lessen bullying and discrimination at school. Without school uniforms, the cliques and outcasts are easily identified; delinquent gangs can have violent propagandas on their attire; and intruders or people without appointments can roam freely inside the campus.

“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 uniforms” This statement from Bill Clinton was what started a movement toward using uniforms in-state school in the United States in 1996. Since then school uniforms have become a common thing in the school system in the United States. There is no doubt that school uniforms can lead to loss of students’ rights to express themselves and that school uniforms will not generally stop bullying even though they might increase student’s safety.

In high school students use their outfits to show their individual characteristics. Many have the money to buy the stylish clothes but do not because they would rather have something they find more appealing. Not to mention trends set today are primarily focused on people with a certain body type. Thus resulting in the factor that even if the family had the money to buy the certain item many students would refuse it due to the fact that they do not feel comfortable in it. Instead of being able to individualize themselves many children get bullied because they are forced to fit in with the crowd to please them. Penrod once said “For the sake of [individual] kids, we all need to “lay off” a little” (762) showing how this is not the most important topic right

In addition to the apparent bullying over style trends and choices, another issue that could be eliminated through the incorporation of uniforms is the lessening of disciplinary action directed towards students for dress code violations. Almost daily, students are sent to the office for dress code checks which are most often handled by the Vice Principal. Students are commonly sent for checks based on the following items that are considered questionable: midriff revealing tops, ripped and low-rise jeans, short skirts and shorts, exposed shoulders and necklines and spandex for the girls. Then there are ill-fitting jeans and inappropriate slogans on t-shirts and sweatshirts for the boys. A uniform policy would eliminate the need for dress code checks, which would enable the vice principal to concentrate on more important issues within the high school. Not only would uniforms eliminate this disciplinary issue of student dress, but the incorporation of a uniform policy would better prepare students

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

President Bill Clinton caught word of the new trend of school uniforms on January 23, 1996 prepared the State of the Union Address at the United States Capitol where he addressed the subject. In this speech he, “challenge all our schools to teach character education, to teach good values and good citizenship. 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”. President Clinton called for the children of the nation to evaluate themselves on who they are and not what they look like on the exterior. He acknowledged Long Beach public schools for wearing uniforms and even visited the students. The New York Times reported on the President’s speech saying he is “putting discipline and learning back into our schools”. Interestingly enough, President Clinton was first introduced to the idea of mandatory school uniforms from the First Lady. The New York Times reported that this was in no way mandatory for all states to adopt and this

He proposed a challenge to all public schools by saying, that he challenges all of our schools to teach character education; along with good values and good citizenship. If it means that our teenagers will stop killing each other over designer labels, then schools should require students to wear a uniform everyday to school. (Brunsma, 2006) His speech was just the beginning of the very controversial uniform debate, and people on both sides of the arguments have been trying hard to make sure that their case is heard.

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.

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

     Going to public schools all my life, I heard the gossip of "fashion" and "whose wearing what,"pretty much everyday; at least in the four years of high school where it seemed that looks mattered the most. As people grow up, the way they present themselves becomes more and more important. Leaving a good mark in high school means a lot to some people, and some are ready to do whatever it takes to make that mark, whether it be putting someone down for their clothing or being an individual and not caring what others think of you or what your wearing. Having friends from middle school that branched out and went the alternative route; private schools, one of the first things that came back