For many decades now, the debate over uniforms in schools has raged on. With compelling points being made on both sides, it’s easy to see why there’s so much tension surrounding the topic. Let’s take a look at what people are talking about.
Pro: Uniforms put the focus on education, rather than clothes.
It’s much easier to focus on your homework when you aren’t worried about which outfits will make you fit in the most. Thinking less about those designer jeans will help you ace your physics project.
Con: They put a restriction on students’ freedom of expression.
High school is a time to (awkwardly) discover who you are. This often means experimenting with different clothing and hairstyles that aren’t compatible with most school uniform policies. Say goodbye to that Slayer t-shirt.
Pro: They have the potential to save parents a lot of money.
Trends come and go, and it can be very expensive to try and keep up with them. If you can buy simple outfits that will last for a while, you can use that money you save to go toward more important things. The only one hurting is Hollister.
Con: They promote an idea of conformity over individuality.
According to young adult books, what do all dystopian societies have in common? Everyone wears the same thing. We should be teaching students that it is okay (and encouraged!) to distinguish yourself from the pack. The importance of diversity is not always shown to students required to wear uniforms.
Pro: They level the playing field.
It’s easy to forget how much of our perceived social status is tied to our clothing, but it is nevertheless the first thing many people notice about us. School uniforms aim to cut down on discrimination based on wealth by smudging the dividing lines of class distinction. You can’t make fun of someone wearing a polo and khakis if you’re wearing the exact same thing.
Con: They aren’t great for morale.
Students oppose uniforms. In a recent study, it was found that 90% of students interviewed didn’t like wearing uniforms in school. Shouldn’t students have their voices heard on the issues that affect them (and pretty much no one else) directly?
Pro: They are much easier to enforce than a standard dress code.
Arguments about what’s too revealing or what sags too low can’t really exist in an environment where everyone dresses the same way. It’s pretty easy to see whether or not you meet the standards being shown by everyone around you.
Con: They are a band-aid covering the issue of school violence.
While school uniforms are said to cut back on gang violence, it can just as easily be argued that they are simply meant to distract from the fact that most schools are doing very little to reduce crime in schools. There are much more proactive measures that some schools are taking, such as increasing security and pushing for more parental involvement.
Pro: They help to create a sense of unity.
When you’re dressed exactly like the people around you, it’s easier to see the other similarities you may share. This can lead to a deeper value of community and a sense of school pride as your differences melt away.
Con: They can stunt the transition into adulthood.
Some job settings call for uniform dress, but for the most part, adults are given the freedom to express themselves in the workplace. So much of identity is attached to clothing choices, and denying adolescents this luxury can delay their development into self-aware adults. Kids need to get all those mohawks and halter tops out of their system before they reach the workforce.
