Debate On School Uniforms

However, most public schools are turning to something more casual and more acceptable to parents and students: khakis or jeans and knit shirts of varying colors. The latter appear to be more affordable too because they can be used outside of school. Many school districts that have implemented school uniforms have provided some sort of financial assistance for families that can not afford the extra expense.

2. Potential Benefits of School Uniforms

* Decreasing violence and theft because of clothing and shoes

* Instilling discipline among students

* Reducing need for administrators and teachers to be 'clothes police' (for example, determining whether shorts are too short, etc.)

* Reducing distractions for students

* Instilling a sense of community

3. Potential problems of School Uniforms

* Students and parents argue that uniforms violate their freedom of expression (see below for more about what the Supreme Court has to say on this)

* Parents raise concerns about the cost .

Note that all of the following were from middle schools. In Long Beach, officials found that the year after their mandatory program with parental opt-out was implemented, overall school crime decreased by 36%. In Seattle, Washington, which has a mandatory policy with an opt-out saw a decrease in truancy and tardies.

PRO 1

School uniforms would save parents money.

PRO 2

School uniforms would save parents time. Kids in the morning would not have to make up their minds on what to wear.

PRO 3

Kids who's parents would not or could not buy them the newest fad, would not be embarrassed or harassed because of their cloths.

PRO 4

Kids social standing would be based more on individual character and less on their clothing style

PRO 5

Lots of gangs use cloths to identify themselves and other gangs.

CON 7

School Uniforms are expensive and have no use out side of school.

CON 8

School uniforms will do nothing but cut down on a students individuality. A uniform is not the way to cut down on school violence.

PRO 9

What is wrong with sending our kids the message that they are in 'the business of learning' by enforcing dress codes, or even ascribing a uniform?

CON 9.1

School is also the place where the next actors, writers, artists, politicians, inventors, designers and and musicians are trained. School uniforms send a clear early-life message to students that conformity is

important and creativity is not, that authority is allowed to abuse it's power and constrain our constitutional right to free speech and expression. Students learn from uniforms that their individuality,

political opinions and religious rights are unimportant, as is their education: students are regularly suspended for non compliance to the uniform code even if their school work is excellent. If

uniform-requiring schools were actually in 'the business of learning' this would not occur.

PRO 10

Uniforms make it easy to identify kids who belong in the school and those that don't.

principals felt that school uniforms offered many positive benefits to their students. Students are able to stay more focused and disciplined throughout the school day. Principals reported that children often feel less social pressure when everyone in the school dresses the same way. Uniforms act as social equalizers. Students who can not be fashionable due to limited family finances are made to feel more comfortable among their peers

uniform wearing has eliminated brand-name envy and peer teasing of students who can not afford designer clothing.

creativity is expressed in many ways and has little to do with what you are wearing.

The wearing of uniforms affects students' perceptions of school climate. Students are made to feel as if they are a part of a team by wearing a uniform. School climate is improved considerably because kids perceive that they fit in because they look like everybody else If students were dressed in uniforms, there would also not be the distraction of revealing clothing that often appears in the hallways of our public schools

Too many students are preoccupied with how they look and what they wear, rather than their studies. Schools have become