School Uniforms: for or Against?

School uniforms always cause a huge debate amongst parents and students. The big controversy surrounding school uniforms is whether or not they are great for schools. While most parents and students argue that they save time while other parents argue that some parents cannot afford their child's uniform because it is too expensive. Most student's complaints about school uniforms are that they look like everybody else and have no freedom to express themselves with school uniforms. Many parents believe that if their children have uniforms it will keep them focused on school and no their clothing. Also, they believe it may deter crime and gang violence. On a further note, some people argue if you are dressed better you are more than likely to succeed than students who can choose their clothes.

The many benefits of wearing school uniforms is that it saves time in the morning, also studies show that wearing school uniforms tend to decrease bullying and deters anarchy. Henceforth why so many schools feel the need to have school uniforms. In the Today Show Educational Phycologist Michele Borba states “having kids wear uniforms will reduce bullying because kids won't pry on each other for how they are dressed.” Borba is saying that if we have all the kids dressing the same then it will lessen bullying because there is no need to nitpick and critique each other's clothes if were all wearing the same uniform.

Borba also declared “ it is not the stuff you wear, it's the stuff on the inside. Let's start getting kids to be expressive in terms of their thoughts, their words, and their deeds.” Borba is stating that students should express themselves through their thoughts no their clothes and outfits. To elaborate on Borba she also stated “ When you walk into school, let's be dressed for success and ready to learn.” Borba is explaining that if students are dressed and ready they will do better than with their regular outfits. On the website procon.org one of the many pros that is listed one of the ones that caught my eye is that school uniforms may deter crime and increase student safety. Tampa Bay Times has an article about school and the article stated “ We really like it.

It evens out the playing field for the kids. We include name tags as a part of the uniforms so that adults in the building can call every child by name.” This piece from the article is stating that it is good to have uniforms because all the kids are equal and not get distracted by other students' form of attire that they are wearing. In addition to that, the article also stated “ If you have uniforms nobody is wearing gang colors. Nobody is being teased or bullied because of what they are wearing. These are solid reasons.” This specific piece in the article is targeting that school uniforms will reduce gang violence and reduce bullying because of what the student is wearing or how they are dressed.

There are also many cons to wearing school uniforms one of the many is students lose their freedom of expression, promote conformity over individuality, and school uniforms don't stop bullying they only increase violent attacks. According to Robyn Silverman “ At a time where preteens and teens want to express themselves, clothes provide a vehicle, to allow them to express themselves and say ‘I'm different’ without having to approach more risky ways of saying the same thing.” Silverman is basically saying you have to let kids express themselves through clothes or they will find riskier ways than just dressing up to express themselves. Furthermore, Silverman also said that causing females to dress the same it could allow for students to have body issues “ So if you have a body that's a plus-size body, a curvier body, a very tall body, a very short body, those girls often feel they don't their best. Procon.org states “ Overall there is no evidence in bullying literature that supports reduction in violence due to school uniforms.” This is stating that there is no evidence to support that bullying leads to bullying. Students often complain that their freedom of expression is taken with school uniforms.

According to Procon.org “ allowing students to choose their clothing is an empowering message from the schools that a student is a maturing person who is entitled to the most basic self-determination.” This is stating that if students can choose their outfits then they can express themselves and do better in class. George Carlin's opinion on school uniform is “ Don't these schools do enough damage, making all these children think alike? Now they're gonna get them to dress alike too?” Carlin's opinion kids shouldn't be forced to dress the same and think the same because they are already thinking the same so why have them dress the same too. Many students and parents do not want to be dressing like their peers because they feel it takes away their freedom of expression. In addition to all the cons, procon.org expresses “School uniforms don't improve attendance, academics, preparedness or exam results.” I this excerpt it is stating that it doesn't really benefit the students' performances.

On the whole debate of school uniforms, there are some students and parents that are against the idea and some who are for it. The benefit is that it saves time and effort in the morning. However, there are some students and parents who can't afford the uniform because it is too costly. In conclusion, there is always going to be controversy on whether or not school uniforms should be mandatory in all schools in the United States and in many places overseas as well. The percentage jumped from 12 percent to 20 percent in the 2015-16 school year.

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