Do school uniforms really address the problems that they claim to solve, or are they a temporary distraction from them? Let’s explore:
Sense of Self
First off, high school is a time for self-discovery. This is often reflected in the clothing choices that teenagers make: everything from a t-shirt displaying the name of a favorite band to a nose piercing. While this can still be accomplished to a degree under school uniform policies, it is limited to an extent that makes it almost nonexistent.
Adolescents should be gradually given more responsibility as they transition into adulthood, and making decisions about their appearance is a good jumping off point.
Conformity
While supporters of uniforms may assert that they cut down on discrimination based on class and culture differences, they are simply sweeping the problem under the rug. In other words, they aren’t giving students the tools needed to understand and respect those who are different from themselves. The idea behind uniforms seems to push the idea that it is easier to make everyone appear the same than to encourage and appreciate the things that make us different. They promote conformity rather than individuality.
We don’t all come from the same background (and that’s okay!). Isn’t that the message we should be equipping these students with as the enter the world outside of high school?
Crime
Uniforms don’t actually make crime go away. Do you think that kids aren’t smart enough to hide contraband in their khakis? Do you think that they can’t find a way to show their gang affiliation while they tuck in their polos? Teenagers are more clever than we like to give them credit for, and this sometimes takes the form of some not-so-savory behavior.
Bullying and crime exist in school. There are more direct and productive ways of addressing them than changing what students wear. All the research that suggests that uniforms cut down on bullying is questionable at best. Schools should be beefing up on security and demonstrating positive values if they want to see real change.
