The Truth About School Uniforms
The United States has always valued independence, individuality, and assertiveness. Our country also continually places a great emphasis on physical appearance. It is a cultural belief that how you dress is a reflection of who you are. Being able to express yourself through what you wear, especially throughout a child's primary and secondary education, is an important way of establishing your own identity. When growing up, choosing your own sense of style can help improve a child's self esteem, uniqueness, and individuality. Many school systems, however, feel differently and require that school uniforms be mandatory for all students. I firmly believe that school uniforms are not necessary or beneficial; sometimes they can actually have negative effects on the student's personal growth and sense of well-being.
In recent years, schools across the country have experienced violence, gang activity, and thefts of clothing and accessories. Many school boards, mindful of their responsibility to provide safe school environments for students, have implemented policies specifying dress codes or the wearing of unifoms. As many as 25 percent of the nation's public elementary, middle, and junior high schools were expected to implement dress-related policies during the 1 school year, according to the California School News (March 31, 1997). Ten states allow school districts to mandate school uniforms.
Schools have a dual responsibility to educate students and to develop
productive, creative individuals who will grow up to lead the nation and
bring innovation to our country.
The discussion of whether or not children should have the choice of what to
wear to school each day has become highly debated. Numerous opinions can be
found on the topic, from teachers who believe that it will help with behavior,
to students who simply do not want to look exactly like everyone else.
Educators and the public are divided over the value of implementing
school-uniform policies in the public schools.
This paper examines arguments for and against school-uniform policies.
reasons why schools want a uniform to be mandatory
reasons why school uniforms should be banned from primary and secondary schools