The debate of children's school uniforms is ongoing. Before you form your opinion, take a look at a few issues and reasons for and against school uniforms
“If it means that the school rooms 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.” [Bill Clinton, former president of the United States, Long Beach, CA 1996]
School uniforms is an issue which has caused a lot of debate in the last few years. Many students feel they lose their identity when everyone is required to wear the same clothes to schools. Others feel a school uniform makes students equal. Many teachers and school administrators are looking to a school uniform or a uniform dress code as a means for instilling a feeling of discipline in the classes as well as an atmosphere of learning.
Some English students have recently come out in support of school uniforms. According to a survey of 1,300 teens, 67% of the boys and 52% of the girls prefer wearing uniforms to school.
So, as a new or seasoned teacher, where do you stand with regard to the uniform debate? Here are some pros and cons to help get you started.
Reasons For Wearing School Uniforms
It helps save time in the morning
It stops feelings of jealousy
It helps reduce discipline problems – teachers can teach and students can learn.
It sets the tone for a proper work attitude
Reasons Against Wearing School Uniforms
It takes away students’ freedom to make decisions
It hurts the need for self-expression
It stops students from feeling unique and special.
Students don't want to wear what everybody else is wearing.
At a recent lesson, the topic of school uniform was presented to the class and the students were asked to do the following:
Survey different classes in your school to find out if the students are for or against school uniforms. Present your findings to class.
Decide in pairs or in groups, decide what kind of school uniform you would want. Present your ideas to the class.
New teachers were amazed at the enthusiasm for the topic, but many students were and continue to be against school uniforms. New teachers identify with the fact that the teenage years are a time when young people try to express their identity in many different ways, especially through fashion. The students claimed that school uniforms, or any set dress code can only hurt this need for self-expression.
Over to You
You may not have all what it takes to change a school policy, but it is important to know what sides your students are on in order to get a feel of the students' opinions.
The copyright of the article Children's School Uniforms in New Teacher Support is owned by Dorit Sasson. Permission to republish Children's School Uniforms in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
It's not fair for teens to have to wear what everybody e;se is wearing! It
takes away our indivualality!
May 1, 2008 8:38 AM
Guest :
I belive that school uniforms are stupid! I think that forcing teenagers to
wear the same thing will make problems worse,and end up causing more
problems as well. As a student, I feel I deserve the right to express
myself and school uniforms would take that right away from me all together!
I think that the school board should think about other things going on in
their school district besides if all the students are wearing matching
clothes. Before they make the decision I think they need to put themselves
in the students shoes and see how they would feel if the right to express
themselves was taken from them.
May 1, 2008 10:13 AM
Guest :
school uniforms are not right next the government will take away the recess
because kids get hurt
May 3, 2008 2:53 PM
Guest :
i am a student who has been to both a public school and a catholic school.
i am a 9th grader and i feel that wearing uniforms do help children. less
people get picked on and you can focus more on studies. also u only have to
pay for uniforms once in your 4 years of highschool and in public schools
with no uniforms you need need new cloths at least 2 times a year. thats 8
shopping trips just to keep up with what "everyone else" is
wearing. Kids in my school wear their uniform with pride and there are no
issues. also we do get to express ourselves when we have dress down days.
No we cant wear shirts with inaproriate saying but we do get to express
ourselves and there are other better ways to express yourslef then wearing
cloths that are "in"
thank you =]
May 5, 2008 5:12 AM
Guest :
I think keeping school uniform is a good thing because it allows children
to feel the same in all aspects without them feeling jellus and so they
dont have 2 keep up with the'coolest'trends
May 5, 2008 6:27 AM
Guest :
I dont see y this is such a good topic because uniforms r not cool.:(
May 5, 2008 8:03 AM
Guest :
school unifroms do take away kid's freedom and way of expresion!! i don't
see how they help at ALL
May 5, 2008 9:31 AM
Guest :
It don't help at all!!
May 5, 2008 1:20 PM
Guest :
School uniforms should be inforced!! GO UNIFORMS!!
May 6, 2008 3:12 PM
Guest :
Uiforms blow
May 6, 2008 3:13 PM
Guest :
Uniforms take away what makes students unique. They force them to all look
alike and uncomfortable.
May 6, 2008 3:15 PM
Guest :
i say no uniforms for children!!!
May 6, 2008 3:15 PM
Guest :
i say no uniforms for children!!!
May 6, 2008 3:17 PM
Guest :
I say that this so not fair for kids to wear uniforms because you have buy
uniforms every month and that is a lot for a year!
May 7, 2008 9:24 AM
Guest :
what is the point of wearing school uniforms. even if you wear the uniforms
negative behavior can still increase.some people might change the ways they
act some will not. i believe the reason why we have to wear uniforms is
because they think that it will prove the fact that kids will change the
way they act .i don't think so. kids are going to be kids,just like grown
ups will be grown up's. most kid's may not follow the dress code,that do
not mean that other have to be punished.
May 8, 2008 6:54 AM
Guest :
Dress code sucks it is always demanding and every time I buy clothes I
can't wear them at school!!!
May 8, 2008 8:25 AM
Guest :
Sucks for you. No school uniforms for me!
May 8, 2008 2:54 PM
Guest :
school uniforms are awesome ask your teacher for a dress code it rocks
May 8, 2008 7:21 PM
Guest :
i hate the fact he my school board is voting on our school system to wear
unifomrs. I mean we should have the right to express ourselves with our
clothes.
May 11, 2008 2:30 PM
Guest :
school uniforms are just not the business!!!!!!!!
May 12, 2008 7:40 AM
Guest :
The "Reasons Against Wearing School Uniforms" is pitiful.
Uniforms have no place in our schools because they do not save time or
money. They do not create a better work attitude or help our children score
better on tests. They do not reduce discipline problems. Years of studies
have proven that uniforms provide nothing positive to help our children.
May 12, 2008 3:34 PM
Guest :
kids can still bring weapons
May 12, 2008 3:36 PM
Guest :
Many people believe that having a uniform creates less gangs and violence,
but this is not true. From experience, there are still going to be gangs
and cliques whether the school has uniforms or not. Making all of the
students look alike is not going to make them behave the same way. It is
human nature for someone to be attracted to one person or group of people,
but dislike another. There is no way to change that.
May 12, 2008 4:35 PM
Guest :
what is the point of school uniforms??????????//
May 13, 2008 1:46 AM
Guest :
Most uniforms are grown out of before they are worn out, and it is not as
if anyone wears them anywhere else but school. (who would wear a uniform to
the movies?) Students forced to wear uniforms are more likely to start
wearing makeup and other acessories at an earlier age because of the want
to self-express themselves in different ways.
May 15, 2008 5:57 AM
Guest :
I hate school uniforms they have no use
May 15, 2008 10:37 AM
Guest :
no uniforms!!!!!!!!!!!
May 15, 2008 12:29 PM
Guest :
yeah your right NO UNIFORMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 15, 2008 12:42 PM
Guest :
they are just a wast of your childhood and self expression
May 15, 2008 10:41 PM
Guest :
School uniforms r okay if they look fine. But I agree with uniforms. Have u
tried uniforms???????????????
Aug 25, 2008 6:48 AM
Guest :
If you have to express yourself with name brand clothes, that says a lot as
to where our kids and schools are going today. By wearing uniforms, it
makes kids stand out in ways other than their clothes -- like their
athletic ability, scholastic ability or other creative ways verses the
showing off their latest Abercrombie and Fitch t-shirt.
Sep 1, 2008 7:03 AM
Guest :
Guest, The biggest issue is the fact of losing individuality, but is
there really anything being lose when they tend to copy each other anyway.
They need or desire is already there to wear what everyone else is wearing.
With uniforms guess what they are wearing what everyone else is wearing!
Sep 3, 2008 7:39 AM
Guest :
This is all a bunch of nonsense. They say that making kids wear uniforms
makes them less likely to be bullied. I can kind of see where they are
coming form. But uniforms are so expensive,I used to wear uniforms all the
time. And personally they aren't flattering in anyway. It's like they are
all trying to get us to conform. Sure they don't want kids to feel like
they have to fit in just because they don't have the same clothes as other
kids, but if you feel like you have to fit in all the time then you need to
get some help. It's bad for your self esteem to think that you have to be
like everyone else. just be yourself, if that's who you are, then show it.
I mean show it in appropriate ways, like not wearing provocative clothing
to school. But still. And the school board thinks that making the students
wear uniforms will cut down on the violence and kids misbehaving, well it
won't. Just because you change someones clothes, doesn't mean that you
change their personality. It's like taking a bunch of convicts and making
them all wear uniforms, does that really solve anything. Does it change who
they are? Are they any less of a murderer than before they wore the
uniform? So anyway, that was my oppinion on this subject.
Sep 4, 2008 2:22 PM
Guest :
Ok, a school in my area just got a school uniform/dress code thing and the
only thing that students dont like is that they have to tuck in their
shirts.... and plus who realy cares about what your wearing at school? you
are there to leanr, not to show off you clothing as if you were at a
runway. school unoforms do increase dicipline and academic skills [which
everyone needs to get by in life] so whats the big deal? and no one will
feel excluded just because they can't afford nicer [and much expensive]
clothing
Sep 9, 2008 7:52 PM
Guest :
i think that students SHOULD wear what ever they want
Sep 11, 2008 1:31 PM
Guest :
we need to express ourselves. no school uniforms!!!
Sep 11, 2008 5:35 PM
Guest :
I think that school uniforms should be required. Everyone feels equal, and
it sets the tone for learninhg!
Sep 13, 2008 11:32 AM
Mary Ann :
I wore pretty traditional school uniforms at Catholic school for all of my
school years, including high school. I think that uniforms are an important
part of developing character during those formative years.
It
seems society has slowly shifted from groups of people with shared values
to an individual ego-centric me-first mentality. And encouraging kids to
have this me-first mentality and an anything-goes mindset with unrestricted
rules for dressing themselves at school, makes it much more difficult for
teachers to get past social distractions such as what is my friend wearing
today, and allows schools to focus on education and character building.
Catholic schools have known this for 50 years, and it works. I have
seen from personal experience that traditional looking school uniforms help
students focus on learning, and help promote a calm classroom.
As an individual, I cannot say that I always liked wearing them, but when
you put it on it prepares you for learning mode, as opposed to social
mode.
Our uniforms were collared blouses, sleeveless dress
jumpers, and knee-high socks. And when you put that on, you definitely feel
like it is time to concentrate and go to school.
I would like to
see public schools in the USA adopt similar uniforms like the Catholic
schools have.
Sep 15, 2008 3:03 AM
Guest :
i prefer 2 wear a uniform that being bullied for not having expensive and
in style clothing. Not everyone can afford such a life!!
Sep 16, 2008 10:12 AM
Guest :
School uniforms are a MUST. It helps cut time, money, and judgement.
Yeah, it make take away creativity but you hang out with people
outside of school, save your cool clothes for then. Uniforms help to
give a "business" enviroment. When you get a job in the
world and have to wear a uniform are you going to whine to your boss about
lack of creativity? -- most likely that answer is no. So why not learn
now?
Sep 16, 2008 5:44 PM
Guest :
i think school uniforms create a connetion with the student in the
class.
Sep 17, 2008 6:44 PM
Guest :
School uniforms take away individuality!!! Kids need to express themselves.
Its our right and the fact that no matter what we wear, kids will always
make fun of you, cliques will always be around, pple will still be who they
are! uniforms dont change anything! SAY NO TO
UNIFORMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sep 18, 2008 8:34 AM
Guest :
There is always distraction in school and no matter one kid is wearing or
another. uniforms don't let people express themselves not letting them to
be original which is what this country is about- letting people bring there
own original ideas together. Also when you get out in the world you'll have
to dress yourself, you wont have a one set of clothes everyone wears. Also
Because of uniforms you wont know what works or not. You may wear something
way to formal a job interview for a sports newscaster and they may not even
take you seriously because of what your wearing. Lastly i believe cliques
of people will form anyway the only difference is with uniforms there all
wearing the same thing.
Sep 22, 2008 10:52 AM
Guest :
i think the uniforms are stupid and pointless
Sep 22, 2008 11:43 AM
Guest :
uniforms suck because not all people look good in uniform and they will
look stupid
Sep 23, 2008 1:41 AM
Guest :
If who you are is determined by what you are wearing on the outside of your
body, the future of the world is in trouble. Who you are, your
individuality, is determined by the the life you live and the experiences
you have and how you deal with these issues. You don't spend all of your
time in school...and for most students, school is over before you know it!
Sep 23, 2008 4:31 AM
Guest :
I think school uniforms help you academically in the school and allows you
not to be persecuted because people don't like the way that you dress.
Sep 23, 2008 10:00 AM
Guest :
I think everyone shhould get the chance to wear what they want without
being told... we especially 9th graders know best..but its sooo boring
seeing what you wore the day before on mostly everybody else.!!!!
Sep 24, 2008 3:30 PM
Guest :
I'm feeling a little neutral on this topic, because school uniforms i
belive would help alot. Kids would come to school ready to learn, they
would have a feeling of ok i'm coming to a place of work to get my work
done not play around during class time.Also i do think that it would keep
students who can't set fashion kids less prone to being picked on. I could
go on and on. However, also i think that I wouldn't necessarily lose a
sense of who i am but what girl doesn't want to look cute? It isn't always
about trying to out do someone else its about wanting to look a certain
way when i step out the house because i care about myself that much. And
every know an then it wouldn't hurt for a school that had uniforms for like
1 or 2 days out of the week everyone can just wear their regular
clothes.That' my persona on this issue.
Sep 26, 2008 2:53 PM
Guest :
I believe school uniforms are a good idea if implemented correctly. Yes
having to wear a uniform in a high in tight manner does take away ones
individuality; but if students are allowed to express there individuality
while wearing the uniforms such as rolling up the sleaves, not tucking in
the shirte, wearing ties (if there is one) loosly, decorating blazers with
pins or patches then individuality is not lost. While the uniform continues
to function as it should. Creating a unified and focust environment. I also
believe that the uniform should have some variety that students can choose
from on a daily basis long or short sleeve pants, shorts or skirts, button
down or pull over sweater blazer or no blazer. footwear and accessories
should not be regulated. I also believe that if a school is going to
implement a uniform then the entire student body should be allowed to vote
on the style of the uniform. If you would like examples of how one can
express individuality while wearing a uniform look at japan nearly all of
there schools have uniforms, they have great school spirit are more
responsible, better educated and display there individuality every day. But
again this is just my belief.
Sep 26, 2008 5:33 PM
Guest :
In my oppinion, school uniforms should be worn Monday through Thursday, and
on Friday you could wear whatever you chose. This is because when you
inforce school uniforms, the process of discipline and learning is at a
greater level of accomplishment. then, on the last day before the weekend
you get to wear what you chose and enjoy the short day. Uniforms also
improve school spirit and counsel. Thankyou. MeG :)
Sep 26, 2008 5:43 PM
Guest :
it taks away the indvisoual of each person and i do not want to wear the
same clothes that other people are wearing
Sep 29, 2008 6:52 AM
Guest :
I feel that children should be able to express their ideas and be uniqe
Sep 29, 2008 7:48 AM
Guest :
I strongly believe that children should not not not not not wear dumb
uniforms. they look boring, uncomfortable, and dumb.
Sep 29, 2008 4:37 PM
Guest :
the uniforms are bad for children
Sep 29, 2008 4:42 PM
Guest :
IT'S UNFAIR FOR US.
Oct 1, 2008 7:41 PM
Guest :
i have a group of friends in private school and they all have good grades
but not as good as me and my friends at public school.i have no problem
with uniforms it's just the reasons for them that i dont agree with.wearing
a specific type of clothing required from a school doesnt make the level of
your intelligence rise.that all happens from the help of teachers.i myself
find uniforms to be an excuse, or an easy way out for a teacher to not have
to take the blame for the knowledge thier students recieve.
Oct 1, 2008 8:53 PM
Guest :
I feel dat in a way the idea of school uniforms is not COOL :( becasue of
the fact that it does take away the ieda of having your own identity. But
in away it could be a good idea because teens don't have to worry about
getting teased becasue they are not able to buy the "coolest
trends".
Oct 3, 2008 9:43 AM
Guest :
I don't think it is right for teens to wear what everyone else is wearing.
I'm in band and I hate wearing our uniforms. So does everyone else. They
are completely stupid.
Oct 5, 2008 2:26 PM
Guest :
i just really dont understand how putting us in uniforms will change our
attitude and the way we act....it makes absolutly no sense. just leave us
alone!!!
Oct 7, 2008 6:06 AM
Guest :
I don't thin people should wear uniforms! Because-
When
you wear uniforms you can’t express yourself through your own clothing
Uniforms are expensive
If you are forced to wear
uniforms, you couldn’t wear religious clothing
They are
uncomfortable
Some families can’t afford it, and if they can’t
afford it, they would probably leave the school Which, would bring the
number of people in the school down.
Uniforms are pricey, and
if the child is still growing, they will eventually outgrow their uniform,
and will have to buy another one. Which, is not cheap.
If you
forget your uniform, you can’t just grab some clothes to wear, you would
have to either skip school, or go back and get your uniform.
If
a stealing of some kind would just happn to happen , how
would you describe the child when they’re all wearing the same clothes?
Oct 7, 2008 3:55 PM
Guest :
Im a 8th grader at choudrant and we dont have to wear uniforms because our
parents vote and they have always voted no and we got a new principal so
the dress code isn't that strict. Last year we couldnt wear cut up jeans at
the bottom or any holes.... but I like the fact that the parents have to
vote because if they didn;t we would be wearing unifroms which take out our
personality. and I HATE looking alike!!!!!
-Jennifer
Oct 8, 2008 9:02 AM
Guest :
uniforms suck a nut, they all need to be burned.
Oct 12, 2008 10:22 AM
Guest :
It is stunning how most of people and comments tend to be against dress
code. In fact, what is a dress code? A way to define how a certain group
could work and recognize each others troughout some clothes?! The cashier
at the next liquor store has a "special" shirt for working. This
guy at the gas station wearing dark blue shirt and pants. This lawyer
carrying its suitcase while walking away with his black and white suit. Yet
all those characters are under a certain dress code. Are they feeling
biased? Under pressure? Violated in their rights? No, they all submitted to
some kind of dress code. It is only a way to get children ready to the big
world and open their mind, telling them that a bikini is maybe not the
right outfit for a trial...
Oct 14, 2008 10:50 AM
Guest :
you cant show your personality
Oct 15, 2008 8:40 AM
Guest :
i believe they should let the students pick the uniforms i live in
louisiana and our school uniforms are required to wear khaki pants and
a polo.. to me i think they should let the students pick the
uniforms because oure uniforms are tacki.
