Pros and Cons of School Uniforms

We have worked with schools across the UnitedValues:
States, and believe us, you are not the only personSchool uniforms stress that individuality and
asking this question! The answers that we haveself-expression are not determined by designer
heard from our customers are as varied as ourclothing or the latest fashion fad.
customers are. The debate over school uniforms isLow Cost:
complicated, so we've included highlights from bothSchool uniforms are a bargain. They are becoming far
sides for you to consider:less expensive than many other clothes. Schools
Professional:argue that school uniforms are economical, especially
Some say that a child in a school uniform is morecompared to designer clothing, and parents agree
likely to take school seriously. Putting on the schoolgiven school uniform durability. They say school
uniform signals he or she is going to school just likeuniforms last longer because they are made for
dad dresses up to go to work. Schools report thatrepeated wash and wear. Many schools capitalize on
when students dress in "work clothes" rather thanthis by starting used school uniform stores or swap
"play clothes" they take a more serious approach tomeets. Parents can get used school uniforms at
their studies.discount prices, or just use them as hand-me-downs
Promotes Good Discipline:between siblings.
Many think that school uniforms help maintain schoolSchool Spirit:
discipline, decreasing the amount of disciplineSome feel wearing a school uniform helps build school
problems. The argument is that children today arespirit. It instills a feeling of belonging. As the Beach
lacking in self-discipline because parents refuse toBoys said, "Be true to your school." Schools report an
discipline them. This makes it more difficult on theincrease in school pride.
teacher who has to deal with classes of 25-30Individuality:
students at a time.Supressing individuality is the most commonly cited
Reduces Fighting and Violence:objection to school uniforms. Educators argue that an
Schools report that school uniforms decrease fightingacademic program encouraging students to pursue
and violence that arrise out of arguments overindividual thought is much more important than what
fashionable clothes. Children invariably tease thosethey wear. They inhibit creativity and self-expression,
who do not have trendy clothes. Those who can'tforcing students to conform.
afford name brand clothes are often sensitive aboutCauses Discipline Problems:
their clothing. Schools struggling with gang problemsSome students reject any rules. Forcing them to
report that school uniforms help ease tensions.wear school uniforms only aggravates their rebelious
Distractions:spirit. They alter their school uniform by tightening,
Many parents believe that students wearing schoolwidening, shortening, or lengthening them, and
uniforms look nicer and that a school uniform policyteachers are given the impossible task of policing the
ensures that children will come to school instudents on a daily basis.
appropriate clothing, avoiding distractions such as fadsLittle or No Relationship to Academics:
considered to be outlandish or overly revealing. SomeOpponents insist that their is no credible evidence
students have turned school into an unending fashionthat school uniforms improve school discipline or
show. This disctracts from learning, as some kidspromote higher academic acheivement. The principal
spend more time focused on thier clothes than onargument is that some great students are terrible
homework.dressers. Dress does not necessarily improve learning.