What is your opinion of school uniforms?

Question

Just wondering..
I'm all for individuality and expressing ones self, but I think that if all schools forced students to wear a uniform it would make a lot of things easier.
*Less money spent on school clothes
*Less fortunate kids couldn't get picked on for not have name brands and whatnot
*Makes the school seem more respectable

What do you think?

Answer 1

I taught middel school for 10 years at a racially mixed, rural school with lots of problems. When the school went to uniforms the school climate improved. The kids tried to pull crap such as packing a different set of clothes in their bookbags, but the climate of the school was better. However, it lasted only a year because the parents complained that their kids whined too much!! The school system caved in. Boy, that sure explained A LOT about why we had so many problems. The parents had no backbone.

Answer 2

I do think school uniforms are a good idea but can't agree with your reasons
"*Less money spent on school clothes. Have you ever PRICED school uniforms? They don't cost any less than regular clothes and usually only the "high end" stores carry them.

*Less fortunate kids couldn't get picked on for not have name brands and whatnot...No they'll get picked on for other reasons just like they do now. That's a part of school life, there will ALWAYS be someone getting picked on...human nature.

*Makes the school seem more respectable. Since when? The worst schools I know of have uniforms. They also have a major gang population as well as the worst grade averages in the state. That's not respectable to me.

Answer 3

Our school is a uniform school. If you think that uniforms are cheaper you are wrong. In fact one school in my area MADE the parents buy them from Norstroms. Cheap? I think not. They were given a booklet that they could choose from. This was a public school. Plus when you have uniforms you have to buy two sets of clothing...one for school then things for them to wear at home and on weekends.

I also don't think it makes a bit of difference as far as teasing goes. All schools have an Opt Out form and the student's parents can decide not to do it. You still can tell who has better clothing and who doesn't. Kids still will be wearing hand me downs from older siblings.

Around here, it's only the grade schools that wear uniforms, the Jr. High and High School get to wear what they want. I think if you're going to enforce uniforms it should be then because the girls dress like tramps around here and the boys have pants like three sizes too big and you see their boxers.

I'm not really for uniforms, the little kids don't get to wear cute clothes. Everyday it's tan pants, white shirt. Kind of like clones.

BTW there are name brand uniforms.

Answer 4

I went to both kind of schools and I like the uniform one better. It teaches teenagers to do laundry otherwise they will get into trouble if their uniform is dirty or made fun of if it is smelly. It is more expensive to buy a uniform but it pays for itself in the long run. I loved getting up in the morning and not having to decide what to wear. Everyone at school has done every combination of different shirts with pants or kilts.
You can wear different shoes and coats to show individuality. They also allow out of uniform days about once a month.

Answer 5

I think uniforms are very important in keeping everyone at the same level of dress standard. Kids have after school, weekends and holidays to express their individuality with their clothing.

It costs me $200 to completely kit out my daughter for uniforms which last 1-2 years - compared to the $700 a year I used to spend on other clothing for her..CHEAP AS CHIPS!!!

Answer 6

I go to public school hoever my elder sister goes to private school. They have a strict dress code. Her blazer alone cost 200 hundred dollars, her kilt cost about 190.. Then she had to get it tailored.. She has 2 kilts, and mulitple blouses, socks, shoes, blazers, sweater, gym wear, tie, sweatshirts etc... My Mom probably spends about the same for beginning of the year school shopping.. Though it does dave some money, okay a lot of money. I like to express my individuality thru clothing, and would feel like just a number, and you owuldn't get to see what kinds of people your friends are thru clothes..

In some ways I agree with uniforms, because there's no teasing. And I might be friends with completely different people.. I think there should be both, so if it doesn't work for you then you can swtich.. I would love to try a uniform for a year.

Answer 7

I am a teacher here but I am from another country and in my country school uniforms are required.
i agree with them since when the students have an uniform there is no social discrimination if your clothes aren't as cool as your partner's. on the other hand, the discipline is better since there is nobody with clothes that calls the attention to much and also teaches the children that in the real world you have to follow rules for succeding.
And the security improves since if a foreigner gets in the school is easier to spot!

Answer 8

My kids wear uniform and the good thing is its a no brainer in the morning they can get their own clothes out of the closet. The down side is they can only weat the uniform and school jacket so if the jacket or sweater is dirty and its cold then guess what? They must freeze.

Answer 9

I'm all for individuality as well. I grew up in England where there were uniforms. I feel it's just less stressful to be "cool" or "popular."

Uniforms can support individuality. For example--there are choices of accessories. You can make have a unique look even while wearing a uniform.

Uniforms--I believe--make kids take school more seriously. At my old job I sat behind a phone where no one saw me except co-workers. We had a certain dress-code. I remember thinking--when you're dressed sharp, you have a higher confidence about things. This would eliminate kids who cannot afford to dress sharp as, they'll already have their uniforms.

I'm all for uniforms in schools. I think public school systems in the US need structure.

Answer 10

I'm in Australia and nearly every school has a uniform. I love uniforms as there is no competition for who looks the coolest. The girls can't wear short skirts that draw attention to them. They are at school to learn not to be a fashion icon. Expressing yourself can be done on the weekends and after school.