Today, many parents and teachers struggle with the idea of school uniforms and whether it is the right decision for their child and school. Positive and negative effects for the student can be seen in public and private schools on this topic. School uniforms can improve the cost of school clothes, the violence in school, and the achievements made in school. All United States public schools should require school uniforms.
Many feel that buying uniforms cost a lot of money, but in actuality they are saving money. For example, many kids feel pressure from their classmates to wear the most expensive brands and to have the latest fashion. In junior high school English Teacher Peter Caruso’s article, he states that “In Chicago, some
…show more content…
It becomes easier for the student and parents when there is no pressure about having to pick out what to wear each day. Having less focus on superficial styles helps the student’s better focus at school when they arrive to start their day. According to one article, “In 1996, President Bill Clinton praised school uniforms as a way to help “put discipline and learning back into our schools (“U.S. Department of Education Backs School Uniforms”). Clinton directed the United States Education department to produce a manual on school uniforms and distribute it to the nation’s school districts (“U.S. Department of Education Backs School Uniforms”). When everyone shows up to school in a uniform, distractions will drop significantly. In Caruso’s article, he states that “experts in psychology generally agree that clothing and appearance influence individual and group behavior. Clothing can provide clues to the status of person or groups as well as being a reflection of values” (85). Regardless of a financial status, all students are essentially the same when the students are in the uniform. This makes each student feel like an equal which helps boost …show more content…
Caruso discusses, “There are two main reasons of conflict on school uniforms. The reasons are: a student’s right to their opinion and having a school safe environment for the students” (Caruso 86). Many students feel angry towards schools for perusing school uniforms because many feel they express themselves only through their clothes. Students that feel they cannot express their style through clothes at school may later on rebel against the school and their parents. Uniforms to some may feel uncomfortable and may not be universal to all body styles. If students feel apprehensive about how they are dressed then the learning discontinues in the classrooms. Some parents feel it is cruel to not let their children express themselves the way they want and end up switching schools for a better fit for their child’s needs. In Sarah Kizis’s article she states, “Opponents say they infringe on students’ constitutional right of self-expression and do not address schools’ real problems”
Having some sameness can create a safe environment in schools. Having school uniforms can help decrease in-school violence, theft rates and gang colors. School uniforms can also eliminate distraction that clothes can cause. According to a study done at a Long Beach middle school overall school crime decreased by 36% when they enforced a mandatory program. If people did not have to wear school uniforms gang rates may go up, theft rate would be higher and it would help the school see who belongs at school and who doesn’t. You need school uniforms to have a safe environment for people to teach and learn.
It is a great idea for schools to implement a policy on school uniforms because statistics show that students who wear uniforms make better grades. Additionally, male students are not distracted by what female students are (or aren't) wearing. Moreover, students feel a sense of fairness with one another as they are all wearing the same things. When students are at one with one another, their confidence soars, which leads to better academic performance. Student uniforms help reduce the amount of bullying, and students who would normally be bullied now have a much better disposition while at school.
School uniforms are affecting the amount of money spent on clothing in a negative way. Many people think parents/guardians are saving money, but really, they are just spending more money. If one were to think about it, school uniforms can’t be worn outside of school. Why would someone want to spend $300 on school uniforms, and then have to spend $200 on clothes worn outside of school?
Mentioned in Pros and Cons of School Uniforms, “When children wear their own clothes into school, this then becomes a time for them to judge each other, so it prevents competition and teasing” (Pros and Cons of School Uniforms). When you have school uniforms you won’t be wearing different things so you will become more equal. If the students are equal, it then reduces judgement and bullying between the students and makes the school a better place. Another positive statement on how school uniforms are beneficial comes from, Pros and Cons of School Uniforms, “Many educators believe that students who wear school uniforms perform better academically in school, and a study done in 1988 by Notre Dame shows a slight statistical evaluation in student performances among students who wear uniforms” (LoveToKnow). School uniforms will remove the clothing distraction and increase the amount of time given to the academics. Some students take time in the morning to get ready for school, uniforms will allow that time for sleep and studies. According to Procon.org, “Parents can reduce their financial burden when their children are limited to wearing one outfit everyday” (ProConorg Headlines). You won’t feel the pressure to buy clothes that are in style, or expensive and trendy. Uniforms are easier to maintain. They tend to last longer and can be washed easier than other clothes. Wearing school uniforms create a community of higher educated students and equality to
Uniforms in our Public Schools. School Uniforms are a logical choice for the public school venue. Uniforms prevent students from a lower income background from being singled out for poorly made or cheap clothing, prevents use of gang colors, allows for certain safety measures, and allows teachers to form impressions of students based on actions and work rather than dress code choices. Since the 1990s schools have reported amazing results by mandating a school uniform policy. Konheim-Kalkstein, Y. L (2006): “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, reduction in social stratification, and lower rates of violence and crime.
To begin, school uniforms are economic. When schools have a uniform policy, it makes it easier on the children and parents. It is convenient because a child can just go to their closet and pick out a uniform and be ready for school. It is also very cost effective. Parents can outfit their children twice a year, warm and cold weather uniforms, rather than spending hundreds of dollars trying to keep up with expensive, name-brand clothing. In addition to being economically beneficial, school uniforms also help reduce distractions in the classroom.
The issue of wearing school uniforms has been subject to debate over a number of years. It is important to note that initially, the concept of students wearing school uniforms was not widely embraced. Initially, the concept of wearing school uniforms was mainly practiced in private schools and public schools begun to apply the concept as recently as 1994 (Chen, “Public School Uniforms: The Pros and Cons for Your Child”). This move was mainly implemented to address safety issues that have been affecting academic institutions. However, there are still different schools of thought that have reservations when it comes to the issue of wearing school uniforms. This boils down to the question of whether school uniforms are beneficial or they have
By requiring school uniforms in public schools, education will be improved. A dress code will enforce discipline toward learning. Uniforms improve a person’s outlook toward success. Students generally act the way they are dressed. With fewer distractions, students see the school as a workplace for teaching and learning. Students also have less stress in their lives because they are not in a fashion competition. Dress codes also lead to a change in grades. Mainly this happens because the student’s attendance comes up. There is also a change in grades because it is easier to focus when everyone looks alike.
The most common argument against school uniforms is that they take away the students right to self-expression. Yes, school uniforms limit what the students have to wear, but students can still have their own ways of self-expression. Students can still express their style of choice with their hair and what accessories they wear. Their shoe choice is also a form of self-expression. Students can make the uniforms their own style without breaking the dress code. School is a place to learn. Outside of school, self- expression is limitless. Some parents also believe that it could interfere with students' natural behavior to experiment with different identities. Having uniforms in schools helps erase the defined line of the social classes. Typically, popular kids in the higher social classes wear the trendiest clothing...
“We cannot forget that reinforcing economic differences drives students further apart when schools should be drawing them closer together.” There are many problems in public schools with no uniforms. The use of school uniforms could eliminate some of these problems. Although school uniforms may take away a child’s individuality, there are more benefits than disadvantages to having school uniforms in public schools because school uniforms lessen the money spent on the latest fashion trends and school uniforms provide a positive school climate. A school uniform should be a simple outfit.
Did you know that as many as twenty-five percent of the nation?s pubic elementary, middle, and junior high schools have successfully implemented a school uniform policy? (Isaacson, 1998) School uniforms greatly benefit both the students and faculty by creating an atmosphere in which the students are able to get the most out of their education. I believe that all students should wear school uniforms regardless of whether or not the school is public. Below are clear-cut arguments in favor of school uniforms.
In my opinion, I believe that school uniforms bring many benefits for the schools, the parents, and most importantly the children.
Students are distracted by the variety of clothing they choose to wear it takes away from them gaining inner knowledge. Students choose to wear fancy, strange, or bright colorful clothes. Students become more interested in paying attention to what other students are wearing and what they have instead of focusing on the subject they are being taught in class. Students should be focusing on gaining new knowledge and skills. Wearing uniforms would teach students how to focus on their personalities, inner beauty, rather than their
Uniforms in public schools are becoming accepted throughout the world. The public school systems would benefit significantly if this policy were to be accepted. Wearing uniforms in public schools result in positive effects.
Point 1 (Brian): Having school uniforms will greatly lift the feeling of teamwork and sense of school spirit and belonging, and is a benefit for students. According to SafeSchools.edublogs.org, school uniform programs make it easier for students to develop a sense of belonging at school because greater attention is given to who they are instead of what they wear. School uniforms will make students feel that they are ...