What Are the Pros and Cons of School Uniforms?
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The use of school uniforms is a topic of hot debate among parents and school administrators. Some argue the benefits of school uniforms, while others believe that the downsides are far more numerous. While you probably cannot influence what your school has already decided, you may have a voice on the issue of school uniforms in PTA meetings. You also have the choice of sending your child to a school that does or doesn't require school uniforms. If that is the case, here are a few pros and cons you should keep in mind.
PROS
- Experts believe that children who wear school uniforms do better academically. This is due to a myriad of reasons, including not wasting time in the morning getting ready, lack of distractions, and a more formal studying environment.
- School uniforms may significantly reduce peer pressure. With students not having to worry about their looks, fitting in not longer becomes the main worry in kid's lives. School uniforms may also provide a way out for poor children who otherwise couldn't keep up with the trends and would face ridicule or pressure from other children.
- On the same note, while the initial investment to get school uniforms may be high, children can then wear the same outfit without having to worry about owning a large change of clothes. Uniforms are usually made out of durable, easy-to-care for materials that do not require frequent replacement.
CONS
- School uniforms may hinder self expression through clothing, forcing children to find other ways to put across who they are. Children who wear school uniforms are more likely to use makeup early, and many resort to extreme accessories or to alter their uniforms to differentiate themselves from others. For example, many girls shorten their skirts as a way to rebel against the severity of school uniforms.
- Self expression and individuality is important to a child's development. Wearing school uniforms may teach children that is OK to conform to standards, even if you don't agree with them. It also sends the child a mixed message, as the real world does not allow for safe options such as wearing a uniform.
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New: Discuss this ArticlePosted by: anon14625
"Um ya Anon I think it is, Maybe you should look at the fact that your school is catholic? Ya maybe that's y there's no fights, and maybe also cuz the fact that ur school probably only has like 20 kids. Not everyone goes to a prep catholic school." I guess school is not your focus any ways!
School uniforms are really a blessing, they minimize the parent child struggle on a daily basis about what is or is not appropriate to wear to school. It places children with different economic backrounds, in the same category. They become less focused on what people are wearing and hopefully focus on their academics which is why a person goes to school. I do not feel that a child is unable to express themselves in any way, it just gives them the opportunity to find more productive ways to do so. Vanity is not such a good thing. School uniforms can give kids the chance to look past what another student is wearing, and therefore judging them based on that. I once wore a short skirt and was called a slut, why I didn't have that reputation and I was not one, it was a unjustified opinion based on what I wore and not the person wearing it. The cost of clothes is so outrageous, and school uniforms are pretty affordable, so as a parent I would welcome that. It was stated in another comment that this person wouldn't send her kids to school where they had to wear uniforms, and my response to that is well I will send my kids to the best school that I possibly can, uniforms or not because their education is the most important thing here. Posted by: anon14535
i think uniforms aren't that bad. i wore them to high school and everyone got along with it. we had dress down days occasionally. no one rebelled and no one cared that we wore uniforms. yea some students accessorized with cute shoes and hair thing and jewelry but it wasn't like super bad. some people exaggerate too much.
Posted by: anon12950
Um ya Anon I think it is, Maybe you should look at the fact that you school is catholic? Ya maybe thats y theres no fights, and maybe also cuz the fact that ur school proly only has like 20 kids. Not everyone goes to a prep catholic school.
Posted by: anon11858
i believe that school uniform should be a part of our environment, because they make our schools equal. They also help by a lot of kids get bullied by the way they dress. kids mostly judge what students wear instead of getting to know then first! we should be wearing uniforms 4 times a week and then on friday we can wear what we would like. by:chantal grenon St.joseph'catholic school.
Posted by: anon11553
Just reading over the comments, and noticing people putting down school uniforms. A lot. I'm a high school kid, I go to a catholic school. Our uniforms aren't extremely restrictive, we wear polo shirts and nice pants that can be black, khaki, or navy. We aren't allowed to wear certain materials, but personally I think it's great. I've been going to catholic schools and wearing school uniforms since kindergarten. There've been very, very few fights at my schools, nobody really bugs anyone based on what they wear. People find other ways to express themselves, and very few people conform to the latest fads. From what I've experienced, school uniforms make you value your personal identity and expression even more, and open your eyes to new and more creative and constructive ways to express themselves. Not only that, but you pretty much have to learn to think about people based on who they are, rather than what they wear. I, personally, LIKE school uniforms.
Posted by: anon11190
school uniforms are a bad idea if you force your kid to do that they will most likely end up in jail or doing illegal things.
Posted by: anon10356
School Uniforms are a waste of time and money. Just because everyone dresses alike doesn't make peer pressure go away. People actually don't judge you for where you buy your clothes, but your personality. Also in public school if they have to issue the uniforms for free then taxes are raised and who wants that, but if they charge for them what about the kids who cant afford that.
-grace klumpp Posted by: anon10054
I don't think there could be any proven pros that are more than just a theory. In the real world, kids' personalities wont change because of the clothes they wear. Trouble makers will still cause plenty of distractions. We will still have cliques or else we wouldn't have any friends. Cheerleader will still hang out with cheerleaders and nerds will still hang out with other nerds. We will still be judged on the way we perform daily activities and what our social lives are like outside of school.
~a concerned teen Posted by: anon8883
sweet, just what i needed have a big speech i have to do.
Posted by: anon8799
School uniforms are a bad idea because they would take away our freedom of expression and not let us be ourselves. Where is the fun in going to school if everyone looks the same?!
Posted by: anon8649
I don't think that school uniforms affect bullying. Kids that do that are looking for attention and to feel better than other people. Uniforms won't address those issues. Personally, I don't like uniforms and I won't send my kids to a school where they are told what they can and can't wear. I went to a school where we didn't have them and the dress code was more based on common sense than anything. Sure, there were some pressures to get the latest shoes or clothes but nothing that really distracted from school.
Posted by: anon8534
Uniforms at an early age probably aren't a good idea, but high school uniforms for all public schools would be great. Then boys wouldn't wear their pants down to their knees or whatever. Plus, some people who aren't fashion designers will actually be able to dress to school and look good... Some people don't know what clothes look good, unfortunately.
Posted by: anon7933
i think that those are really good! could you put more on, i have a report to do on it on Feb. 13
Posted by: anon6798
There seems to be a lot more pros then cons but one thing I have noticed one thing has never been said. Bullying-what do school uniforms do for that? I myself have been looking for an asnwer to that question.
Editor's reply: good question. check out our article, How Can a Child Deal with Bullying?, hopefully you can use the advice.
Posted by: anon6160
this was a big help can u get more of this i have to do a report before jan
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