The answers
that we have heard from our customers are as varied as our customers are.
The debate
over school uniforms is complicated, so we've included highlights from both
sides for you to consider:
- Author
The Pro’s
Professional
Some say
that a child in a school uniform is more likely to take school seriously.
Putting on the school uniform signals he or she is going to school just like dad dresses up to go to work.
Schools report that when students dress in "work clothes" rather than "play clothes" they take a more serious approach to their studies.
Putting on the school uniform signals he or she is going to school just like dad dresses up to go to work.
Schools report that when students dress in "work clothes" rather than "play clothes" they take a more serious approach to their studies.
Promotes
Good Discipline
Many think
that school uniforms help maintain school discipline, decreasing the amount of
discipline problems. The argument
is that children today are lacking in self-discipline because parents refuse to
discipline them. This makes
it more difficult on the teacher who has to deal with classes of 25-30 students
at a time.
Reduces
Fighting and Violence
Schools report that school uniforms decrease fighting and violence that arise out of arguments over fashionable clothes.
Schools report that school uniforms decrease fighting and violence that arise out of arguments over fashionable clothes.
Children
invariably tease those who do not have trendy clothes.
Those who
can't afford name brand clothes are often sensitive about their clothing.
Schools
struggling with gang problems report that school uniforms help ease tensions.
Many parents
believe that students wearing school uniforms look nicer and that a school
uniform policy ensures that children will come to school in appropriate
clothing, avoiding distractions such as fads considered to be outlandish or
overly revealing.
Some
students have turned school into an unending fashion show.
This
distracts from learning, as some kids spend more time focused on their clothes
than on homework.
School
uniforms stress that individuality and self-expression are not determined by
designer clothing or the latest fashion fad.
School
uniforms are a bargain.
They are
becoming far less expensive than many other clothes.
Schools
argue that school uniforms are economical, especially compared to designer
clothing, and parents agree given school uniform durability.
They say
school uniforms last longer because they are made for repeated wash and wear.
Many schools capitalize on this by starting used school uniform stores or swap
meets.
Parents can
get used school uniforms at discount prices, or just use them as hand-me-downs
between siblings.
School
Spirit
Some feel
wearing a school uniform helps build school spirit.
It instills
a feeling of belonging. As the Beach Boys said, "Be true to your
school."
Schools
report an increase in school pride.
The Cons
Suppressing
individuality is the most commonly cited objection to school uniforms.
Educators
argue that an academic program encouraging students to pursue individual
thought is much more important than what they wear.
They inhibit
creativity and self-expression, forcing students to conform.
Cons
Some
students reject any rules.
Forcing them
to wear school uniforms only aggravates their rebellious spirit.
They alter
their school uniform by tightening, widening, shortening, or lengthening them,
and teachers are given the impossible task of policing the students on a daily
basis.
Opponents
insist that there is no credible evidence that school uniforms improve school
discipline or promote higher academic achievement.
The
principal argument is that some great students are terrible dressers.
Dress does not necessarily improve learning.
