Why Do School Uniforms Reduce Gang Violence?

In areas prone to gang activity, school uniforms have displayed the greatest impact. In 1996 the city of Long Beach, California; schools K-8 struggled with gang violence in the classroom leading to the implementation of uniforms district-wide; a first for the United States. This decision was controversial during an era when such restrictions were unheard of. During this time, school uniforms were only mandatory in private schools. Many peer-reviewed studies have shown that after implementing school uniforms, there was a decrease in police intervention related to gang violence on campuses. There were also reports of less vandalism, student fights, and gang activity. Many of these gang related incidents had been connected to wearing gang colors.

Agreement with the opposition stems from the fact that school uniforms can be quite costly, especially elaborate outfits. The idea of uniforms should help families reduce the costs of clothing throughout the year. Children in elementary and middle school experience the greatest growth rate and the cost can be overwhelming. School uniforms can be cost effective, saving family’s money and relieving the pressure to purchase fashionable clothing for their children. Public schools in Mohave County require their students to purchase shirts and sweaters and adhere to a normal dress code. These shirts cost roughly $5 and are much more affordable than elaborate uniforms seen in some private schools requiring boys to wear blazers, for example. According to David L. Brunsma, author of Uniforms in Public Schools: A Decade of Research and Debate "one of the main benefits to parents is that school uniforms are more cost-effective than regular apparel". The thought that paying roughly $65 a year compared to an estimated $200 a year for basic clothing, would be much more appealing to the families of students in public