School Uniforms - The neverending debate
There are definitely an equal number of opposers and supporters when it comes to school uniforms and if they should be made mandatory in public schools. Many wonder if making school uniforms mandatory will decrease violence in schools. Also, it has been stated that those students who are required to wear them have better overall academic achievement and behavior than those who do not.
Some of the advantages stated with students wearing school uniforms are that they have a better scholastic performance, there is better student security and discipline and overall morale of the schools. In public schools where this has already been implemented, teachers and administrators have already found that there is in fact a better class room setting because it has curbed gang tension and the things that associated with brand name clothing. In wearing school uniforms, they no longer have the social status that is carried along with what they are wearing. Not only that, but they give them a sense of pride about their schools and being affiliated with them.
The opposers to this idea have many reasons why mandatory school uniforms are just a bad idea. First of all, there is the cost argument. School uniforms are not free by any means. Some have stated that regular clothing can be relatively affordable, much less expensive than wearing unified school uniforms. They also argue that a mandatory dress code will not eliminate the bullying that occurs in schools because no matter what is required of the students to wear, they will always find ways to pass judgment on their peers. Opposers also believe that this does not let the students express their individuality which is important for children to learn at a young age.
It seems that one of the only points both opposers and supporters are able to agree on is that mandated school uniforms will make it easier to identify those who are not from the schools which in turn will increase schools security. This way, anyone walking around in a t-shirt and baggy jeans would be easy to search for immediately. However, the opposers still believe that this will not stop the students from sneaking in weapons and stop the beatings that sometimes occur in schools.
And so… the debate continues. Should school uniforms be mandatory for all students in schools? I am personally torn on the issue. I went to both private and public schools growing up, all the way until my senior graduation, and I really didn’t have a problem with wearing a uniform. Unfortunately, many of the problems that exist in schools today didn’t exist when I was a child, so I can’t say for certain that I believe one way or another.