Sarah Brown Mrs. Popejoy Written Communications 17 April 2014 The School Uniform Debate Dwight D. Eisenhower, past president, once mentioned, “When you put on a uniform, there are certain inhibitions that you accept” (“Brainy Quote”). Most private schools in the United States, which have enforced school uniforms, are known for having a better education system and an overall better experience for the students (“Dress for Success?”). Usually having a dress code, public schools do not enforce an entire school uniform. The debate on school uniforms is split between many different school administrations (“Dress for Success?”). The OTHS administration, who has enforced a strict dress code, does not find it fit to enforce an entire school uniform. …show more content…
Even though students should have the choice of what they wear, school uniforms can improve their future. Self-expression, important to a student, helps a student find themselves personally. By wearing uniforms, students will feel a sense of equality among them, are better prepared for their future, their overall performance at school will increase, and their self-esteem can rise dramatically (“Dress for Success?”). School uniforms, which restrict a student’s individuality, can actually make him or her feel good about themselves and their future. Different clothing styles, which make a community diverse, are not the only way a student can be unique. Wearing certain clothing, students believe that their clothes can make them feel better about themselves (Jolley, Southward, Swafford). By wearing the same clothing, students feel less self-conscious and more equal to their peers. Equality, which brings people together, is important to have. A sense of equality is created when students wear …show more content…
Dramatically reducing bullying, school uniforms can reduce many problems in the school environment. By implementing school uniforms, OTHS can solve their own problems. Wearing school uniforms is believed to resolve the conflicts that arise in a school environment (“Dress for Success?”). Many students, including me, have seen acts of bullying in the school environment, whether it was verbal or physical. Even though some students are completely against school uniforms, they do not realize the long term effect it could have on them. Lee Ann Jolley, Leigh Southward, and Melinda Swafford, authors, mentioned, “The teen years are often depicted as being full of conflict, turmoil, alienation, recklessness, risky behaviors and challenges. Conflicts and challenges often surface over issues of dress between parents, school administrators and students. Adolescents may view these conflicts and challenges as a violation of individual rights”. During the teen years, students’