School Uniforms Help Children

People say uniforms help children in more ways than one, but those people and facts are not completely correct. David Brunsma, (2005) a University of Missouri assistant professor who published the book The School Uniform Movement and What It Tells Us About American Education: A Symbolic Crusade, writes, “Perceptions aren’t reality. Perceptions sometimes are important interpretations of reality, but often they can mask deeper issues.” (P.1- 2) One of those issues people ignore because they think uniforms fix all problems is uniforms take away the comfort and individuality of the child. In many situations uniforms are uncomfortable for children to wear because of their body type. Julian Cavazos (2009) Writes, quoting uniform expert Matt Buesing, ¨One thing he

´Due to embarrassments, some schools have backed away.´¨ (P.4) Other times, it is uncomfortable for children because they are forced to wear clothes that do not protect them from harsh weather conditions. Alice Clarke (2016) writes recalling her childhood, “The news of that petition coincidentally hit 1 year to the day since I got the call telling me not to come back to my second high school, officially because I wore the ‘boys’ winter uniform. I grew up in the mountains where it can get pretty cold, occasionally even snowing, and not one could tell me why the boys were allowed to wear woollen pants, while the girls were forced to wear skirts that hit above the knee with thin stockings.”(P.2) Uniforms also do not allow children to act their age due to the restrictions of the uniforms; such as, little girls not being able to play and jump around because they are expected to wear skirts as their uniform. Alice Clarke (2016) states, “Even in high school, the apparent desire to make students uncomfortable is strange. Why not let the run around and have a good time before the crippling pressures of adult responsibilities weigh them down?.