Do you like the idea of school children (Pre-K to Senior Year) wearing uniforms to school?

Question

Why or why not?

I grew up in England where uniforms weren't even questioned...it was "normal." I think it worked much better because we all had our individual personalities and still expressed them but not to the degree I see in American schools. It isn’t about taking away a child’s creativity or anything like that. It’s not about anything really--it’s just the way it is. I don’t know how there could be a problem with uniforms, personally. It saves parents money, makes education the top priority, and while it doesn’t resolve the problem of teasing--it cuts down on it! Thank you all for you opinions and answers!

Answer 1

I think it is a great idea. I should first confess I am a bit prejudiced. I went to Catholic Schools through elementary school and high school. But I did hate the uniforms then:) I also send my kids to Catholic Schools--which still have uniforms. And I teach second grade in a Catholic School.

Now that I have revealed by bias--let me tell the objective reasons I favor uniforms.

It is good for kids that either can't afford the newest fashions (or their parents won't buy them or they are too nerdy to pick them out).

It is good for parents in not having to buy so much stuff.

It eliminates all the problems of dress codes. You do not have to worry about inappropriate clothing e.g. overly revealing, inappropriate sayings, on T-shirts (or elsewhere), etc.

With older kids in many parts of the counrty there is big problem with gangs and gangsta clothing. Uniforms eliminate that problem.

There are studies that show students are better behaved in schools where uniforms are mandatory.

There are studies that show students do better academically in schools where uniforms are mandatoy.

Answer 2

No. I wore uniforms for two years (4th and 5th grade), and absolutely hated them. For anyone who says uniforms make school less stressful, I once wore the wrong color socks to school by accident and spent the entire day terrified that the bottom of my pants leg would come up to high and I'd get a uniform violation. And there's also the worry that you'll forget about a free-dress day and wear you uniform to school and look like an idiot. On the other hand, in the 11 years that I didn't wear uniforms, I don't remember being teased even once for what I was wearing. The only time I ever worried much about what to wear to school was when I DID have to wear a uniform. Those two years that I had to wear uniforms were at a school where the principle was known to measure the distance between your knees and the bottom of your skirt to make sure it as long enough. How is that not more stressful that which brand of jeans to wear?

I assure you that kids can still find reasons to criticize each others appearance even if their skirts are all the same color. There's the matter of pants or skirt, knee socks or tights, white shoes or brown, green skirt or plaid. There's make-up, hair style, jewlery, and what kind of boxers are under your uniform skirt. And there's also what you wear on weekends. I distinctly remember discussing what clothes other girls in my class had even though they weren't allowed to wear them to school.

There's also the little matter that uniforms are almost invariably horribly itchy and uncomfortable.

Answer 3

I'm on the fence with this one. It sure would be easier to decide what to wear if they have to wear a uniform and kids would not be tormented because they do not have the "right" jeans on. On the other hand, kids also need to express their individuality. Sadly, alot of the time, individuality is not appropriate for school.

I would not mind seeing a dress code with choices though. I think there can be a happy medium with a few different colors to choose from in a uniform setting. My idea would be choice of Khaki or blue chino style pants for girls and boys with an option of the same color skorts for girls and a few different colors of polo style shirts (maroon, navy blue, white)

Dress codes like the girl above me dont work. The rules are there but not enforced.

Answer 4

I am a parent of two children in school who do have to wear uniforms , I am against uniforms..
The school systems seem to be out of control with the uniforms
they are even going as far as to say what jackets kids can wear. It Just seems to me it goes farther and farther each year the control they have over our children's lives.
This year my daughter was told Jackets had to be a solid color no hoods and no name brands..To me this is going over board. There is talk of the shoes becoming an issue in the future, they are taking about making them all wear the same shoes.. It just seems to me they go way too far with this power.

the reason they say kids need uniforms is to make them equal.. Please give me a break kids are not stupid. they know who has what and who lives where. They also say that they don't want kids wearing regular clothes because the kids wear them hanging off their butts, I have seen kids with uniforms doing that.. And In my opinion that is a parent issue Start suspending these kids and this wont be an issue.

I think parents should be able to control their own children without the schools interference.

Answer 5

Yes, but not the uniforms people typically think of. Not the everyday, same thing, navy skirt and a white polo shirt or whatever they are. I think uniforms would be great for dealing with dress code issues, but I agree that everyone should be able to express themselves. They should have a uniform, but a uniform that has many different pieces to it, skirts, pants, sweaters, t-shirts, jeans even. that way each day they can still pick out what they want to wear, but it's more likely to go along with school dress code rules.

Answer 6

NO!!! Because of creativity and individuality reasons. I wore uniforms before. Hated it. I suggest a dress code (for gals, I studied in an all-girl school):

-No very short skirts and shorts, only knee length.
-No strapless, backless, see-through, bare-midriff or other showy clothing.
-No big brand logos, icons, or cartoons.
-No flip-flops.

These codes should be ENFORCED, with someone checking on the students' outfits and giving them proper punishment.

I also suggest a price limit so there's more equality(rich kids don't look cooler), and less money will be used.
Or, have the kids design their own uniforms!

I like Little Angel's idea of a uniform with different pieces. In my school before, the teachers had different uniforms for each day.
And if they wore the wrong outfit on the wrong day, it was still OK.

Answer 7

I'm in favor for a couple of reasons.

1-Status. Given the choice, kids will spend as much as possible on wardrobe to increase their social status. Thus, poor kids lose out. Private schools around the world use uniforms as a tool to remove wealth as a social factor in schools.

2-Creativity. School is not about physical appearance, it's about skill development. Those students whose only skill is the wealth to buy clothing would instead have to distinguish themselves by being an excellent scholar, althlete, or artist.

3-Safety. In areas with high violence, the uniform is a "no gang affiliation" mark that protects kids going to and from school.

Answer 8

I like the idea of school uniforms. School is suppose to prepare you for life, every job/career has some sort of uniform or dress code, children should get use to that. Studies have found that schools with uniforms have less aggression and episodes of violence. Personal expression can be saved for the weekends.

Answer 9

yes, I think the emphasis on personal appearance is reduced and the child can focus on things to develop themselves insteadof having the latest fashion or spending the parents money on new clothes to meet peer pressure.

The downside is that students will use accessories as a means to distinguish themselves or even hairstyles whatever. But this is better than needing to have the latest $200 shoes or jeans.

I dont think it suppresses individuality either. In the end, the student can focus more on intellectual ways to exhibit their individuality. At least you hope so.

Answer 10

Yes I do. Here in Australia it is compulsory at most schools to wear a uniform. I am glad I don't have to worry about buying what is the latest fashion just to wear to school. 1 less thing for kids to pick on other kids about. No arguments in the morning about what to wear to school that day. You get the idea.