Argumentative Essay: The Trouble With School Uniforms

School uniforms: it’s been the subject of debate for several years and here is my opinion on this. I am against the idea of having school uniforms. First and foremost, I find that school uniforms restrict creativity and goes against individuality. Despite the positive aspects of uniforms that people often talk about, there are multiple flaws that can be found in them and drawbacks.

This is one of those debates that happens over and over again. My judgement on school uniforms is a yes and a no. It would stop bullying over clothing but it basically tells the kids that they can’t express themselves at school. School uniforms would stop distractions but the children would feel like they can’t show their differences in clothing like some kids like colorful stuff and some have traditional clothing and some like certain things that they like to dress in. School uniforms are not a bad idea but the flaw is how the uniforms affect the students minds.

In the article, Arguments Against School Uniforms, it says “ policies(dress codes) place limitations on freedom of expression…” This quote explains why most kids think dress codes are living nightmares. When all students look the same, it doesn’t let them express who they really are. Whenever kids wear what they want, they can express their personality through what they wear. On the contrary, the only problem about not having dress codes is that some kids bully each other for what they wear, which is totally unacceptable.

In 2007, “87.9% of the students were opposed to uniforms at MD public school” (Wharton). There is a debate between parents, students and teachers about school uniforms being enforced in public schools since the 2000’s. Many people say that school uniforms shouldn’t be worn in public schools, while others disagree. Despite the debate, there shouldn't be a need to wear school uniforms. School Uniforms should not be worn because they violate a humans right of freedom of expression.

School uniforms can restrict students from expressing themselves, according to the first Amendment of the US Constitution it guarantees that all individuals have the right to express themselves freely so if the constitution says that than schools should not have school uniforms (supreme court). School uniforms also promote conformity over individuality and at a time when schools are encouraging an appreciation of diversity, enforcing standardized dress sends a contradictory message that many people disagree with (Howe II). School uniforms do not stop bullying and may increase violent attacks, overall, there is no evidence in bullying literature that supports a reduction in violence due to school uniforms (Jeffords). Students just don’t like school uniforms a peer-reviewed study by researchers at the University of Nevada at Reno found that 90% of seventh and eighth grade public school students did not like wearing uniforms (Wharton). Overall, I think the reasons to implement a school uniform outweigh the reasons to vote against

The idea of school uniforms in public schools is often controversial among students, parents, and staff. I believe the enforcement of uniforms would create a positive learning environment, improve the safety of students, and promote, equality, dignity, and responsibility. Those who are against a uniform policy may argue that some students would purposely disobey the policy to get call out of class, that academic achievement should be the primary focus instead of a uniform policy, and that uniforms decrease individuality. A uniform policy improves the safety of students by reducing bullying, preventing females from being targeted sexually, and prohibiting clothing that suggest violence or gangs. In Steffen 's article, he states, "Educators report a decrease in violence, a reduction in fights at

Envision waking up every morning to put on the same outfit and walk out the door, stress free. People would not have to worry about what fits, or what is fashionable at the time. Schools would not have to worry about inappropriate clothing but at the same time, that clothing may be a way for a student to express himself. Many schools view uniforms as a solution to several problems, but many schools view uniforms as a lack of self expression. School uniforms should continue, even though children may not get to express themselves, because they prohibit violence, provide cheaper lifestyles, and promote better education.

In the article An Argument against School Uniforms Joel M is trying to make a point that it is not a good thing to make kids wear uniforms to school. He points out there are some really good reasons on why kids should be allowed to choose what they were to school. First off he makes the point of saying that when we force kids to wear uniforms it takes away their ability to choose freely. Secondly he asked some of the students and teachers at the schools he visited what they thought about uniforms some said that it would make dress code easier other said that it would only create problems for the teachers because what do you do with the kids that don’t where it then you have another problem and some said that they couldn’t afford to buy the uniform.

Over the last 20 years, many schools have shifted away from fairly unregulated student dress codes to more stringent dress codes, with some schools implementing voluntary or mandatory school uniforms. There are several positions on the dress code issue, each of which have their own persuasive arguments to support them, which can be evaluated to examine their validity. One position in favor of implementing dress codes is that these standards can improve student safety and perhaps even student performance at school. There are variations on this position that favor strict standards on what students can wear, while others want to implement school uniforms in public schools. The opposing view is that students should not be subject to any dress codes on the grounds that they restrict students' freedom of expression, and that they may place unfair cost burdens on poor families.

Many students that know uniforms will be beneficially, but don’t agree with school uniforms will continue to disagree with implementing them. It can be easily agreed that school uniforms may take away their self-expression in school, but what matters more in school is the way of learning. It can also be agreed that many students do not accept the self-expression of their classmates and make fun of them. Students, parents, and school administration should be able to recognize the benefits that school uniforms come with.

This shows uniforms can remove distractions from what students wear. School uniforms create a level playing field among students, reducing peer pressure and bullying. When all students are dressed alike, competition between students over clothing choices and the teasing of those who are dressed in less expensive or less fashionable outfits can be eliminated. Research by the Schoolwear Association found that 83% of teachers

In the article of Dr. Alan Hilfer from 2009, “Disadvantages of a School Uniform Policy” stated that “We need free thinking children of to become thinkers of tomorrow, not droned who will continue making the mistakes of previous generations”(Hilfer, 2009). Feelings on school uniforms seem to differ as much as the reasons for having them, hate it, or love it. Recent studies done in the University of Alabama states that: “Student Uniform use was not significantly correlated with any of the school commitment variables. In addition, students wearing uniforms did not appear to have any significantly different academic performance” (Brunsma & Rockquemore, 1998). The problem whether schools should still be continuously implemented is a highly debatable topic.

Are School Uniforms Beneficial? A major topic in schools now days is school uniforms, are they becoming more subsidiary in school environment and how they going to benefit the school system. School uniforms are very benign with bullying and cutting down time in the morning to deduce what you are going to wear to school. Kids everywhere are bullied because they do not wear what is “socially acceptable” whether it is not what they like or if they just cannot afford it.

By enforcing school uniforms, schools hope that uniforms will decrease the pressure felt by students to wear the most popular trends and lessen the harsh judgement of other students. As stated by the website ProCon.org, “when all students are dressed alike, competition between students over clothing choices and the teasing of those who are dressed in less expensive or less fashionable outfits can be eliminated” (“Should”). By having students dress in uniforms, schools create a new normal that is more equal for all students. Unfortunately, not everywhere as made this change. People are still greatly pressured to fit in by others who believe keeping up with trends is a normal, important aspect of

If schools don’t have uniforms then it pressures students to get all the cool and expensive brands because all their other friends are wearing the brands. With the school uniforms all of the students are of equal footing because everyone is wearing the same thing. Some people might get bullied or made fun of at schools without uniforms, but since everyone is wearing the same thing with uniforms they can’t be making fun of what you are wearing because that is also what they are wearing. When wearing uniforms the students don’t have any stress of what to wear because it is the same thing every, but without uniforms it is definitely not the same. In the website EBSCOHost: School Uniforms: An Overview it says.