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