While the school administration argues that the dress code brings school unity, they are wrong because it takes away a sense of individuality from each student (Logos, concede). In today’s society, people use fashion and their daily outfits as a key way to express themselves. Students are constantly told throughout their school careers that they should demonstrates what makes them “different”, yet uniforms deny that sense of self-expression. According to Grace Chen of the Public School Review, uniforms may result in students turning to “other avenues of self-expression that may be viewed as even more inappropriate than clothing” (Ethos, professional credibility). This includes a nontraditional hairstyle, make up, or acting out towards authority at school or at home.
The “Pro & Con Arguments: Uniforms in Schools” article states. ” When students have to wear the same outfits, rather than being allowed to select clothes that suit their body types, they can suffer embarrassment at school… students, especially girls, tend to compare how each other looks in their uniforms. Child and teen development specialist Robyn Silverman states. “This is a huge problem, uniforms are supposed to help keep that kind of thing away from people and make everyone feel equal and the same; but, kids have found a way to get around that and make each other feel bad about their bodies, causing them to want someone else's. If uniforms aren’t doing what people want and if school kids have found a way to get around what they are trying to prevent, then why keep uniforms?
Parents agree with this 38% and teachers agree with this 81% “School Uniform Statistics”. Uniforms abate distraction, sharpen focus on schoolwork, and cause the classroom to feel like a more resolute environment. The more focused and time students have for the school will leave them diminished in stress and better off in the long run. When you proceed to your first job interview you want to look professional. How can students do that if their entire life, they have spent wearing whatever they want in a laid back environment?
It also says that students will be less focused on what they’re wearing, if everyone looks the same in a uniform. Additionally, some students may not be able to afford the newest styles, causing them to be more comfortable if everyone was wearing the same outfit everyday. Making students wear uniforms may also prepare them for the future where they will have to wear proper attire. Dress codes puts the spotlight on what’s important in schools: learning. “ Rules of fashion: should school officials tell students what they can wear?”
School uniforms. When one thinks about the idea of wearing them, one can imagine a crisp, freshly laundered white button down shirt and generic navy slacks for boys with the same on top for girls paired with a pleated, plaid skirt. One might imagine that the uniform would do just that: keep things uniform, and that there may be something to be said for this. While some think the school uniform may help curb bullying by making everyone look the same, because no one student could be singled out for their unkempt appearance, for example, in my opinion, uniforms can create more problems than they solve.
Emotionally these uniforms take a toll on students as well. Girls are left feeling like a target because boys seem to not get dress coded as much. The rules that students are forced to follow are body shaming their bodies, girls the most. It is almost impossible to go shopping and find the perfect length for a skirt, or pants that aren't distracting, or shirts that aren't too revealing. Every girl is built differently with various proportions: small, medium, and large do not fit everyone the same.
According to the article, “School Uniforms: Should…”, “Opponents [of dress codes] insist that fashion is an important venue for young people to display their individuality and identity.” Also from “School Uniforms: Should…” Opponents [of dress codes], however, argue that uniforms stifle creativity. Another problem that arises from the lack of individuality is the fact that student are not getting the experience of picking out clothes for school. According to Soraya Chemaly, there are times when dressing more mature is just fine for students, especially girls. (Chemaly 40).
According to an online article entitled 5 Reasons Why Wearing A Proper Uniform is Important (2015), the use of uniforms, can unite everyone regardless of social status which creates a feeling of oneness among those following the dress code. In this statement, we will objectify social status as the students belonging to different organizations in the college, as defined by their course. When a student enters a classroom and observes the blending in of the various program groups, as identified by their respective shirts, the student will feel the idea of living together in harmony. Not only that, an article entitled School Dress Code Pros and Cons List (2015), expresses how students will be able to concentrate better and see each other more as equals. Conflicts will be avoided because of the friendly interaction that these groups have among each other, and also, disparities will be reduced because students will see other students on the same level as them, thus building a social balance funded by equality.
There are three major positions on this issue. The first position is that student dress codes are necessary to produce a safe and productive environment for students, which will facilitate high achievement. The second position goes even farther, and says that dress codes should mandate uniforms for all students, claiming that the uniforms will make students focus more while removing concerns about fashion differences that would otherwise harm their self-esteem. Last, there is the position that school uniforms are unnecessary, and that they pose an unfair cost burden to families and restrict students' constitutional rights to free expression. Each side has some evidence in its favor, but ultimately the lack of hard statistics on costs and grading effects from dress codes make it apparent that more research is necessary to figure out what position has the best support for
But by limiting what a student can wear, are schools limiting their creativity and self-expression? By implementing dress code policies or requiring students to wear uniforms are schools creating gender inequalities? Are they creating socioeconomic inequalities? Do uniform policies decrease behavioral problems in a school? Do they create a safer environment that can then be used to create higher academic achievement?
This is true due to all statistics stated by many studies, if we want to live in a world where kids want to be able to be themselves everywhere then we must think more deeply about not just our thoughts on uniforms. We must ask ourselves, we must ask ourselves, “should we really be spending money on useless uniforms Kids hate to
Many students that know uniforms will be beneficially, but don’t agree with school uniforms will continue to disagree with implementing them. It can be easily agreed that school uniforms may take away their self-expression in school, but what matters more in school is the way of learning. It can also be agreed that many students do not accept the self-expression of their classmates and make fun of them. Students, parents, and school administration should be able to recognize the benefits that school uniforms come with.
This shows uniforms can remove distractions from what students wear. School uniforms create a level playing field among students, reducing peer pressure and bullying. When all students are dressed alike, competition between students over clothing choices and the teasing of those who are dressed in less expensive or less fashionable outfits can be eliminated. Research by the Schoolwear Association found that 83% of teachers
They claim that uniforms limit the student's freedom of expression and individuality. However, school uniforms have many benefits to the students and society as a whole
The most common argument against implementing school uniforms are student’s self-expression. School uniforms may limit what a student can or not wear with it, but they still can have their own ways of self-expression. One way is by having a different hairstyle, or include accessories, or by even wearing a different style of shoes. School uniforms are the most appropriate way of students expressing themselves without breaking any dress code rules.
