School uniforms have been a commonly debated topic for many years. Some schools feel as though having uniforms is requisite for better school programs. In fifth grade, I attended a school that required students to wear uniforms. I did not like the idea of uniforms initially, simply because I wanted to wear the clothes that I chose, but as time progressed, I realized that all that time I had been reaping the benefits of having school uniforms. Uniforms are advantageous for a school because they help improve the behavioral issues found in students, level the playing field among social classes, and provide a safer environment for students and staff.
Some schools that have implemented a uniform policy have seen a decrease in disciplinary actions needed and the amount of bad behavior from students. In the article, “Schools Say Uniforms Lead to Better Academics and Behavior, “Principal Lauri Heward states, ‘Since uniforms were implemented, disciplinary issues have dropped more than 75 percent... It is amazing the difference that it makes.” This shows that uniforms are affecting student behavior by dropping the number of disciplinary issues in students. After researching three middle schools with newly implemented uniform policies, the students at the University of Nevada, Reno College of Education stated that ¨discipline referrals were reduced by about 10 percent the first year the uniform policy was implemented. Additionally, school police data showed a 63 percent reduction in police log reports during the first year of implementation.” After arranging to have a uniform policy, schools saw a decrease in problems with the police and minor problems within the school. Both pieces of evidence show that having students wear uniforms around school helped to minimize some of the behavioral problems.
Studies have shown that they help to level the playing field between social classes. Students are often judged by what they are wearing and are constantly being compared to other students. If all students are wearing the same thing, when compared to other students, a child cannot be judged on their clothing, which also reduces bullying problems on campus. In Flynn O’Hara Uniforms’ (a clothing company) article, “The Benefits
School uniforms are a very diverse topic today. Many people people believe that they are very beneficial, but others may argue that they are irrelevant. Schools implementing strict dress codes, or uniforms, is a good decision because it prevents students from bullying each other based on appearance, and it may help some families financial situations.
School uniforms should be required in every school. They are inexpensive compared to designer clothes that you traditionally see in schools. Uniforms lets you broadcast your personality but in a subtle way. I grew up wearing uniforms and it didn’t put limitations to my creativity. You’re still able to wear your regular clothes on weekends and you can still wear some of your clothes but just in modernization. This gives people a chance to know the real you. It puts away all labels and brings an equality that we as students need. This lets students be genuine and see each other inner
Critics of school uniforms insist they do not improve academic performance, behavioral outcomes, or attendance. Yet, there are several empirical studies that will state quite the opposite. A study conducted in an elementary school in Florida, indicated the average number of juvenile referrals and violent occurrences were significantly reduced between pre-uniform policy and post-uniform policy (Han 3). A second study that took place in Texas, involving two middle schools; revealed a decrease in disciplinary reports and problem behaviors of both severe and minor nature (Hughes 51). A mandatory dress code helps to prevent the presentation of gang insignias or colors, therefore,
Uniforms are argued to positively affect student safety by: lowering student victimization, decreasing gang activity and fights and differentiating strangers from students in school building. Dress codes in public schools would be good, in order to cut down the violence, which would eliminate the problems of
It is a belief that school uniforms teach students to respect their learning environment and behave themselves, and, therefore improving discipline. However, that assumption isn’t entirely correct. Researchers have actually found that school uniforms don’t make students better behaved. According to a study of more than 4,500 students, those who wore a school uniform did not have fewer behavior problems or better attendance. Forcing students to wear uniforms lead to more problems and misbehavior instead of encouraging discipline. Students could get into trouble if they did not wear their uniforms correctly. Many kids in today’s society cannot stand the thought of someone telling them what to do, especially what to wear. Instead of encouraging respect, uniforms may cause rebellions. For example, in 2009, a group of students at John A. Ferguson Senior High School rebelled against their school uniforms. Instead of following their school uniform requirements, the students wore what they thought would be a better school uniform to school. Not only uniforms don’t earn schools the respect from its students, but it may also lead to more problems.
Several public-school systems across the country have instituted school uniforms for various reasons. The most common being to improve overall school performance and to reduce negative behavior. Standardized school clothing has become a heated national debate with experts, educators, and community members taking stands on both sides of the dispute. The commonly cited advantages of uniforms are increased academic performance, reduced behavioral problems, increased social harmony, and reduced costs of clothing students. Commonly cited cons of school uniforms include a reduced amount of opportunities for self-expression, a reduced sense of individuality, possible increased costs in clothing and possible reduced comfort. Many educators and experts believe that, although in theory uniforms should improve academic, behavioral and social outcomes they do not.
The next advantage of public school uniforms can be identified as the reduction of bullying behaviors. Everyone benefits by adopting the uniform policy. It helps students to unite and share a same goal – learning. Also, by adopting the
When students wear uniforms, students do not improve in any way. Student’s academic scores do not go higher when they wear a uniform. Researcher Virginia Draa found that “implementing a uniform policy in schools did not have any impact on academic performance”. If schools are hoping for their student’s academic scores to go higher by implementing uniforms, they would be better off without uniforms. Wearing uniforms don’t help a student’s attitude. A 2010 study in a large urban school district in the Southwest found that asking students to wear uniforms did not result in any change in the number of suspensions for elementary school students. Student’s behavior won’t change, if schools wanted to implement uniform. Uniforms don’t have any positive impact on students,
School uniforms should definitely be used in school systems. Uniforms are both good for schools as well as for the students. Wearing uniforms will help build a sense of unity within the school. Instead of everyone as a separate team, everyone will be in the same team. Wearing uniforms will help free students of the stress of what to wear in the morning. Wearing school uniforms will help improve student individuality and improve their self-esteem.
Uniforms are globally used at schools around the world, especially schools in Asia. In Asia, the policy of wearing uniform enforces strongly during school hours and whenever at schools. The policy is enforced because schools want to teach discipline to their students and prevent unanticipated troubles at school. The policy of school uniforms is not completely implemented in the United States, especially public schools. According to the US Department of Education, only about 23 percent private and public schools in the United States have a uniform policy (School Uniform Statistics 1). In Asia, almost all of public and private schools strictly enforce the policy. In my country, Indonesia, all of students have
School uniforms also promote school pride and safety of the students. Teachers and staff want their students to have school pride to show support and to promote the school. Students that have a strong school spirit will most likely have a superior attendance, school uniforms encourage this. In 2007 a peer-reviewed study showed that once school uniforms were introduced to teachers they soon felt an increase of trust and respect from students. Students also felt they were part of a team (School Uniforms). Students feel as if they are a whole when everyone is wearing the same attire. Nobody is left out and everyone is comprised. Student safety is extremely monitored in school systems and uniforms could help accomplish this problem. If an intruder were to enter the building, students would easily spot the intruder due to them not wearing the correct dress code. Uniforms promote school spirit and keep the students protected from danger.
An advantage of having school uniforms is it maintains students focus on education. Students are more likely to be centralized on the information taught by teachers. They will not be concerned about others clothing because everyone is wearing the same outfit. School uniforms improve the learning environment because it decreases the amount of bullying. Therefore, students get a better education because they are relaxed and can concentrate to their best. School uniforms prepare students for the real world. “Students learn responsibility by having a dress code because they have to keep the uniforms clean throughout the week” (Can the use of School Uniforms). When it comes
School uniforms can make life also easier for the parents. Some parents might struggle with money and with having uniforms it can make it easier on the parents because they don’t need to buy as much clothes, they can just keep washing them and reusing them. Majority of all private schools have school uniforms and it would be a good idea to just make all schools that way. Another pro to school uniforms is if there was an intruder or someone that does not belong to that school you will be able to tell easily. The common argument against uniforms is that they limit self expression but there are other ways you can express yourself. Not only can you express yourself in your personality but you can join other clubs to be involved and express yourself in them. With uniforms there is different options on what style/brand/color you would like to wear it doesn’t just limit you to one color and style.
The majority of public schools in the United States did not expect students to wear a specific brand or clothing, but roughly 160,000 children miss school due to fear of attack or intimidation by other students. It was mandatory for me to wear a uniform throughout middle school. I hated it everyday because I wanted to show off my own clothes, but now I realized how it could be beneficial. Uniforms prepare students to be in the mindset of a school environment that they are in school to learn, prioritizing education and not attention. Dress codes or uniform policies still face both approval and hatred through many school districts today. Every school district across America should make it mandatory for students to wear uniforms since the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. School uniforms can be convenient for an individual and family, reduce judgments on looks, bullying, and economic classes of students, improving professionalism and enhances image along with school pride.
For centuries the public-school system has been plagued with crime, bullying, and peer pressure. The time have come for administrators to put student’s safety first and consider a policy that will help to ensure that our children are getting the best education possible. Most public schools in the United States have adopted a school uniform policy to account for the safety and well-being of their students. However, some public schools have not adopted the school uniform policy. This essay will explain why all public schools should adopt the school uniform policy. I will discuss the advantages of the policy and an argument against the policy. Therefore, all public schools should adopt the school uniform policy because, it will help to reduce bullying, prove a safer learning environment, and help to recognize gang affiliated members.