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why public schools should have uniforms

by Kole Gottlieb Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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According to proponents, school uniforms:

  • Help prevent gangs from forming on campus
  • Encourage discipline
  • Help students resist peer pressure to buy trendy clothes
  • Help identify intruders in the school
  • Diminish economic and social barriers between students
  • Increase a sense of belonging and school pride
  • Improve attendance

Wearing uniforms enhances school pride, unity, and community spirit. School uniforms may improve attendance and discipline. Uniform policies save valuable class time because they are easier to enforce than a standard dress code. School uniforms prevent the display of gang colors and insignia.

Full Answer

What schools don't require uniforms?

Brisbane Independent School, Pullenvale Brisbane Independent School is a co-educational primary school that serves years Prep to 6 and has no uniform. The focus of the BIS curriculum is the holistic view that the child is the centre of the learning experience.

Why school uniforms may be a bad idea?

While school uniforms were not linked to any differences in bullying or social anxiety in children, those who had to wear them felt less sense of belonging in their school than students who attended school without uniforms. Researchers said the study can’t explain this finding just yet but there are some possible reasons this might be so.

Why do schools insist students to wear uniforms?

Wearing a uniform is a badge of pride, creates an identity for a school and is an important part of being a school student. “Uniforms show that you are part of an organisation. Wearing it says we’re all in this together,” Jason Wing, head teacher at the Neale-Wade academy in Cambridgeshire, says.

Are school uniforms a good or bad idea?

Are school uniforms a good or bad idea?. (Credits: AFP) An American study reveals that they have little or no impact on the behavior and attendance of students. On the contrary, they could even contribute to reducing their 'sense of belonging' to the school, and more broadly to a community, preventing them from expressing their individuality. AFP.

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Why do we wear uniforms?

Here is a list of reasons of why uniforms must be used in place of those clothes: 1.Equality: One of the most important reason for students to wear uniforms, is to give a sense of equality. In today’s world of fashion trends and brands, clothing has become a status symbol for children in schools. Uniforms negate that and instills a sense ...

Why is wearing a uniform important?

Wearing a uniform reduces absenteeism, promotes school attendance, pay attention to their studies and instills a lot of discipline, focus and good behaviour. Most importantly, it induces presentation skills, which help them talk with confidence and gives a sense of motivation and purpose. 5.Promoting school spirit:

How does the way we dress ourselves affect society?

We live in a world where the way we look and the way we dress ourselves determines our social standing and becomes the basis for acceptance in society. Glamorous clothes and fashion are idolized and people often try to follow such affluent things to conform to the society.

Why is it important to have a common dress code?

A common dress code enables a student to express and define himself be it in arts, sports, music, academics irrespective of the students’ background and will no longer use fashion as a means of defining their creativity.

Is school uniform expensive?

6.Economical: Spending large amounts of money on trendy jeans and other designer clothes is expensive for the parent. School uniforms are not very expensive and you can buy multiple sets for a much lesser price.

Why are school uniforms important?

Proponents say that school uniforms make schools safer for students, create a “level playing field” that reduces socioeconomic disparities, and encourage children to focus on their studies rather than their clothes.

Why do students wear uniforms?

Arnold Goldstein, PhD, head of the Center for Research on Aggression at Syracuse University, stated that uniforms help troubled students feel they have the support of a community: “There is a sense of belonging.” [ 31] A peer-reviewed study found that after uniforms were introduced, “Teachers perceived an increase in the level of respect, caring, and trust… throughout the school” and said “students are made to feel ‘important’ and as if they are a part of a team by wearing a uniform .” [ 20]

How much does school uniform cost?

A national survey of 517 US school leaders found that 94% of those surveyed believe “one of the main benefits to parents is that school uniforms are more cost-effective than regular apparel,” and 77% estimated the average annual cost of school uniforms per child to be $150 or less. [ 32] Without school uniform policies, parents may feel pressure to compete with other families by purchasing fashionable clothes for their children. [ 71]

Why do girls wear uniforms in school?

The National Association of Secondary School Principals stated that, “When all students are wearing the same outfit, they are less concerned about how they look and how they fit in with their peers ; thus, they can concentrate on their schoolwork.” [ 15] A study by the University of Houston found that elementary school girls’ language test scores increased by about three percentile points after uniforms were introduced. [ 1]

How much do Americans spend on school uniforms?

Americans spend around $1 billion on school uniforms every year. [ 43][ 74] Retailer J.C. Penney Co. says school uniforms are “a huge, important business for us.” [ 44] In one year alone, uniform company Lands’ End spent $3 million on marketing efforts directed at public schools and districts. [ 14] Multiple studies used to promote the effectiveness of uniforms were partly funded by Lands’ End, and at least one of those studies is “so wholly flawed as to render itself useless,” according to David L. Brunsma, PhD. [ 14][ 32] Reuters reported that retailers were “sensing their opportunity… stepping up competition in the uniform aisles and online. Walmart has set up ‘uniform shops’ or temporary boutiques within some stores.” [ 74]

What is the difference between uniform and regular clothes?

A 1994 peer-reviewed study found that students in uniform were perceived by teachers and fellow students as being more academically proficient than students in regular clothes. The study also found that students in uniform were perceived by peers and teachers as having higher academic potential, and perceived by peers as being better behaved. [ 4]

How much did the absence rate decrease after uniforms?

A study by researchers at the University of Houston found that the average absence rate for girls in middle and high school decreased by 7% after the introduction of uniforms, and behavioral problems lessened in severity. [ 1] A Youngstown State University study of secondary schools in Ohio’s eight largest school districts found that school uniform policies improve rates of attendance, graduation, and suspension. [ 27]

What happens when students dress alike?

When you have students dressed alike, you make them safer. If someone were to come into a building, the intruder could be easily recognized.”

Is there a difference between school uniforms and dress codes?

There is however a fine line between school uniforms and school dress codes. School dress codes tend to be more relaxed, but can be more restrictive than school uniforms in extreme cases.

Do schools have dress codes?

The issue of school uniforms and school dress codes, tend to have people leaning one way or another. In America, most public schools do not require a school uniform, but many do implement a dress code. As America becomes more diverse in political and social issues, Supreme Court rulings tend to be in favor of the students when it is regarding school dress codes or school uniforms.

Why do some public schools have uniforms?

In the 1980s, public schools were often compared unfavorably to Catholic schools. Noting the perceived benefit that uniforms conferred upon Catholic schools, some public schools decided to adopt a school uniform policy.

Why is it so hard to implement uniforms in high schools?

Because, says Brunsma, “It’s desperately much more difficult to implement uniforms in high schools, and even middle schools, for student resistance is much, much higher. In fact, most of the litigation resulting from uniforms has been located at levels of K-12 that are higher than elementary schools.

Why did Draa not connect uniforms with academic improvement?

She was unable to connect uniforms with academic improvement because of such complicating factors as changing instructional methods and curriculum.

What is the debate over uniforms in schools?

The debate over uniforms in public schools encompasses many larger issues than simply what children should wear to school. It touches on issues of school improvement, freedom of expression and the “culture wars.” It’s no wonder the debate rages on.

Why did Vermont suspend a student from wearing a T-shirt?

The school had suspended the student, not for the anti-Bush political statement, but for violating a dress code that prohibits drug and alcohol images.

What is a dress code?

What’s a dress code? Generally, dress codes are much less restrictive than uniform policies. Sometimes, however, dress codes are nearly as strict, as in the case of a middle school in Napa, California. This particular school’s dress code required students to wear solid colors and banned images or logos on clothes.

What percentage of students dislike uniforms?

The vast majority — 90 percent of students — reported that they disliked wearing uniforms. However, other data showed more nuanced results. For instance, 54 percent of students agreed that they still had their identity while wearing a uniform, and 50 percent agreed that uniforms saved their families money.

Why are school uniforms important?

Some people think that school uniforms can help make schools safer for kids. When Long Beach, CA, required all students in grades K–8 to wear uniforms, reports of assault and battery decreased by 34%. 1 

Why do kids wear uniforms in school?

School uniforms can keep kids in the classroom more and prevent staff from wasting time trying to enforce policies.

Why do people wear uniforms?

Some people feel students are better able to concentrate on school when they all wear the same clothing. Researchers in Australia noted that students who wear uniforms had improved discipline and academic performance. 5 

Why do parents spend less money on school clothes?

Parents may spend less money on school clothes when kids wear uniforms. There is less pressure to buy expensive name-brand clothing, and school uniforms might be more affordable.

Why is clothing important for students?

Focus on Education. For many students, clothing can be a major source of stress. Not having certain brand name clothing or not wearing fashionable items could lead to feelings of insecurity. Some people feel students are better able to concentrate on school when they all wear the same clothing.

What is dress code enforcement?

Dress Code Enforcement. Many school officials spend a lot of time policing dress codes. Enforcing policies can require a lot of resources as teachers may send kids to the office, and administrators have to determine whether clothing is too baggy, inappropriate, or revealing.

Do uniforms improve grades?

Not all studies have found that uniforms improve grades, however. In fact, at least one study found that school uniforms had a negative effect on achievement. 6 

Why are uniforms important in school?

The Benefits of Public School Uniforms: Safer Learning Environment. Many school administrators and parents believe that uniforms create a better learning environment at school. First and foremost, many administrators claim that students are not as distracted by how they look, and therefore, spend more time learning at school.

Why should school uniforms not be required?

School uniforms should not be required because it promotes the idea that everyone is the same. Also, it is like forcing people to do something that they should not have to do. Most people normally don't use their uniforms at home. They wear normal clothes so then they have to spend more money on something they don't use normally. It might affect someone's growth and affect what they think about themselves.

Why are uniforms bad for students?

The opponents of public school uniforms, as outlined by the ACLU’s argument for the First Amendment, argue that uniforms stifle a student’s need for self-expression. By denying students the opportunity to fully express their unique personality through the clothing they select, individualism is unable to develop to its fullest capacity. When children select their own clothing, they are able to develop confidence and independence, characteristics vital to personality development and adult success. Denying students the ability to express individualism and belief in a sub-culture, whether preppy, hip-hop, punk, or jock, could stymie the students’ transition from childhood into adulthood. Controlling the socialization process could harm the student as an adult, as they are not prepared for the real world, where they will indeed be judged by their appearances.

How many schools have uniforms?

Approximately 22% of elementary schools, 19% of all middle schools, and 10% of high schools currently require uniforms, and this trend continues to accelerate. Although uniforms have been a mainstay of private schools, ...

Why is stylish dressing important?

The peer pressures of stylish dressing with the “best” brands are alleviated, especially when students may not wear any uniform pieces from name brand companies. This allows students to focus more on their schoolwork, rather than social appearances.

What color shirts are allowed in schools?

A school may only allow green or yellow polo shirts and khaki bottoms, for example, preventing students from wearing the traditional gang identifying colors of red and blue. Accessories such as bandanas, another distinguishing gang clothing characteristic, can also be eliminated from the school dress code.

When did school uniforms become mandatory?

Although uniforms have been a mainstay of private schools, public schools didn’t jump on the bandwagon until 1994 , when the Long Beach California School District integrated school uniforms to address safety issues challenging the district. According to the school district data, within one year after the implementation of uniforms, the fights and muggings at school decreased by 50%, while sexual offenses were reduced by 74%. Across the country, similar statistics abound; for example, at Ruffner Middle School in Norfolk, VA, the number of discipline referrals decreased by 42% once uniforms were enforced.

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