The pros and cons of school uniforms

Aug 07, 2009 9:03 AM by Michelle McDermott

Posted in Living / School & Education / School Fashion

Real Moms Talk

School uniforms: Whether you're for them or against them, this hot debate refuses to go away.

Little Girl in School Uniform

Arguments in favor of children wearing uniforms:

Students experience less pressure in deciding what to wear each morning.
Uniforms cost less overall.
Student attendance improves.
Uniforms promote a more studious environment.
Students takes less time to get ready in the morning.
Children are free to concentrate on lessons.
Uniformity promotes a reduction of violence in schools.
Social conflict is reduced as students are no longer judged by the "fashion police."
Uniforms can be reused and recycled.
School intruders are more easily identified in a school of uniformed children.

Former President Clinton is perhaps the most famous and influential advocate of school uniform. In a March 1996 speech he said:

"If it means that the schoolrooms will be more orderly and more disciplined, and that 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 uniforms."

As in every debate, there are two sides to the argument. Here's what those who are against uniforms say.

Uniforms detract from a child's individuality.
Students will always find ways to express themselves, leading to less desirable forms of expression such as tattooing and piercing.
Schools should be a place where diversity is celebrated.
The cost of uniforms is prohibitive, especially when a family includes more than one school-aged child.
A child in a uniform may be the target of bullies from a different school.
Uniforms may lessen the child's comfort level while attending school.
Enforcing rules about uniforms is difficult.

Now that we have heard the arguments on both sides, what do moms really think about this debate? SheKnows interviewed three moms on opposite sides of the debate. Here's what they said:

Toinette Campbell, mom of two boys from Burbank, California: "Uniforms? I love them. The key word being uniform. It gives kids a level playing field and gets them away from one-upmanship on designer labels. It also gets kids used to taking care of their clothes. Getting rid of status symbols prevents children from being teased because they aren't wearing $150 jeans."

Carol O'Neil, mother of two boys from East Kilbride, Scotland: " I am totally for school uniforms as they keep children dressed the same and stop all of the nonsense with kids wearing designer gear. If kids are dressed the same, then they are less likely to be bullied." (In the UK, uniforms are compulsory in both state and private schools.)

Eduarda Schroeder, mom of two daughters from Chandler, Arizona: "Uniforms can be a financial burden for poor families because they are an additional expense for parents who pay taxes for a free public education. I am more in favor of a dress code."

It looks like this debate is not going to be resolved any time soon!

Comments

Comments on "The pros and cons of school uniforms"

My daughter attends a private school where uniforms are mandatory. We have not had one single problem with "individuality." I think some of these people are forgetting that the reason kids are in school is to learn. A big thing with the younger girls in a way to express themselves is with what they wear in their hair--many different types of bows or headbands. Athletic shoes are also varied. I never hear anyone squawking about their uniforms, they are easy to deal with and the focus is then more on education and being friends with everyone because, at least, during the day they are all on equal footing. Our school has a used uniform store so if you are inclined you may buy your uniforms there. As the uniforms are outgrown, and in good condition, they are donated to the store and then can be bought by others very inexpensively. Our public school system is now on uniforms and I'm very glad about that.

School uniforms don't have to be expensive. I have seen some school require the school t-shirt with slacks or a skirt, or a polo type shirt with slacks or skirt. Schools can also "recycle" uniforms by collecting outgrown uniforms to sell to younger children that come into the school. There are ways to individualize yourself when wearing a uniform other than tattoos or piercings. Enforcing rules regarding school uniforms should be no more difficult than enforcing a school dress code. I have seen the "dress codes" in place in the schools in my area and they are next to useless and really not enforced at all. I certainly don't advocate returning to dresses or skirts for girls and ties for the boys but there should be some modicum of decency and modesty.

I like school uniform, because everybody in the same dress is the practical and moral lesson of equality. On the other hand, students don't like wearing school uniform at school!

GO UNIFORMS!

I strongly agree with school uniforms! I have gotten bullied many times about what I wear. So i try not to wear any of those clothes again. GO uniforms and GO Marianna and Becky!!!!!!!!! They are awesome people!!!!!!!!!

I say that students should not have to wear uniforms because what if something bad happens in school and their parents come to find their child to see if they are okay and they have to search for them because they can't tell anyone apart because they are all wearing the same outfits.

School uniforms should be required in schools. Have you ever seen somebody get bullied because of what their wearing? Well I have, a LOT of times. Kids shouldn't be crying or feeling sad because someone said their outfit looks funny. School uniforms are something that can stop bulling. We should all have school uniforms.

I go to a public school and I don't wear a uniform but I think that they are a good idea because it saves time and money.

I've really never had a school uniform so I wouldn't know what it is like, but in my school there is a lot of teasing of what people wear. If uniforms can stop that then I would be happy to have them!

i have experienced my life with both stages, when i was in my home town i was used to wear uniforms, and i didn't like them at that time. Now i miss wearing uniform let me tell u the truth girls and guys, every person in this world has his/her own opinion about one problem. every person is unique but from my experience i found out that uniforms a good way to teach yours kid to respects others, to be civilized and discipline.

I think that school uniforms are a better way to keep kids focused on school. Especially in their teenage years. Some teens go to school with the mindset, "I have to wear this tomorrow, everyone's going to notice me." School is for learning, it's not a fashion show. A lot of the issue on bullying comes from what others wear. People assume that just because someone doesn't have designer clothes they're not cool enough. For students that wouldn't be able to afford uniforms, there could be programs that could help with that. Just like the ACT's you can get a waiver if you meet the criteria. It's not about what makes you look cool, it's about learning and getting somewhere in life.

School uniforms are often worn shorter and/or tighter to show off how one's body looks. Even if the dress code is strict enough to prevent too much leeway, the focus will be less on the difference between clothing but how the clothing fits and how a kid/teen's body looks in the clothing. I would much prefer someone make fun of my clothing--as opposed to my figure and "WHO looks BETTER" in said uniform aspect. Moreover, an ordinary dress code is kinder to those who have awkward or less-than-perfect bodies. One who is self conscious of certain areas can dress to "accentuate" certain areas--or at least draw attention from whatever they are insecure about.

I'm in a secondary school where there is no uniform, and for me, it's great! You have the freedom to express yourself in any way you wish, and if anyone does wear designer clothes, nobody minds at all - the people who can't afford them or don't like them accept that those are the clothes some people wear, and the people that DO wear designer clothes never ever tease anyone about what they wear, even if it's no brand clothing. This may only be our school, but to be honest, in a lot of other respects it's not an *extremely* civilised school (although most people are generally nice to one another)so I don't understand why this shouldn't be the same in all schools.

Three of ny children went to parochial school and wore the uniforms for 9 yrs. my daughter couldn't wait for high school so she could get out of that uniform. For 3 weeks she enjoyed dressing up everyday and then was finally tired of it. Trying to be as cool as the next girl. Where did that blouse go I wanted tomorrow. She basically started wearing a uniform herself...not quite as strict as catholic school, but she was surprised when the idea caught on with quite a few others. Now my son still will not wear blue pants as they are uniform pants. All the garbage about not showing their individual serves is a bunch of stupid talk. All my kids had different personalities and they all shown through the uniform. I have smart, intelligent, cool kids and they did not think their uniforms were LAME. Now one wears a nurse's uniform everyday, 2 wear business suits everyday. One has to dress up everyday for her job(she owns a hair salon), same thing as a uniform.

i think uniforms are horrible because i am not allowed to wear my boots and i want to express myself

i think students need to have uniforms cause some kids get bullied cause they way the dress cause they are poor

I hated uniforms back when I was in school but now I miss the ease, comfort and sense of belonging that they gave.

I'm a middle schooler and I agree with uniforms. I'm always feeling the pressure of what to wear in the morning, I'll get dirty looks from some of the fashonistas with a 500 dollar outfits in the hallways when I throw on something in a hurry. Everybody would still be their own individual when wearing uniforms, but I think it would be a lot less costly for just one school outfit a year! I can't see myself getting tatoos and piercings just because I wear the same outfit everybody else does. Seriously. In my opinion, a more studious enviornment would be fantastic as well. I can't agree with the cons, but I can understand what they're talking about. I'm all for uniforms. c:

i am a middle school student and do wonder sometimes about whhat school would be like if everyone dressed the same. and then i think to my self, that sure would be nice having a lot of time in the morning, and not having to worry about matching. also not getting judged on what you wear. but then i realize that with that, comes that EVERYONE would be dressed the same and there would be nothing creative about any one. we would be one big plaid blob walking in the hall way. i say no uniforms! keep the personality of kids. dont take it away!

I say NO on the uniforms because i dont want to be a part of the crowd. i want to stand out and be me,MYSELF!