We Need To Implement Uniforms In Public Schools

School Uniforms have become more and more common throughout the years in the United States. Many parents and students do not agree with the implementation of uniforms because they believe it takes away their child's own “style” or “creativity”. However, some parents feel that uniforms add an extra safety barrier for their children. Although some may say school uniforms limit their students’ freedom of dress, school systems should implement uniforms because uniforms create an equal environment for all students, uniforms keep students focused on their education, not the clothes others’ are wearing, and school uniforms increase student safety.

Although usually favored at private schools, school uniforms are now being preferred in Public Schools. The first implementation of school uniforms in the United States was in 1987, in Baltimore at Cherry Hill Elementary School. When the parents first found out about the uniforms they were against the idea, however, after the school uniforms were implemented at the school, many parents and students loved the idea, parents saying “the dress code had

already reduced the preoccupation of students with expensive designer clothing for school wear and eased the financial burden that placed on the students' families” (Daniels). By the fall of 1988, forty one public Washington, DC schools had implemented a mandatory uniform policy. Since then School Uniforms have been endorsed by many, including former President Bill Clinton, saying “[if wearing uniforms] mean our young people will learn to evaluate themselves by what they are on the inside instead of what they're wearing on the outside, then our public schools should be able to require their students to wear school uniforms."
Many schools who have implemented a uniform policy have done so because they want all students to feel “equal”, meaning all students should be treated the same.

Bullying has become a major problem in Public Schools, and can be caused by many different reasons, however many students are bullied for not wearing the “right” clothes, meaning the nicest, most up to date. Implementing a uniform policy will help those kids who may not be able to afford the newest, nicest clothes. According to a report published by the National Association of Elementary School Principals, “eighty six percent of all principals surveyed believed that uniforms have made a significant, positive impact on peer pressure and sixty four percent believe that it has made an impact on bullying.” With School Uniforms, there would be less judgment about clothing choices, brands of clothing, or physical

appearance.