I remember when I was in middle school; I didn’t wear the fanciest clothes or was with the current fashion trend and was often left out when my friends were talking about clothes. I felt like I did not belong, but I did not want to buy expensive clothing just to feel included by my friends. Even though students' individuality is important to express one's self, uniforms should be adopted in some public schools because they lower disciplinary referrals and help students focus on learning. Many students of public schools believe that school uniforms should not be introduced, because it is restraining people's freedom of expression and does not create diversity. One example of how uniforms restrict learners is that "without the outlet of expression in their clothes, students may turn to inappropriate hair styles, jewelry, or makeup".
By being forced to wear school uniforms, teens are unable to express their individuality and a students' right of self-expression is deprived. Uniforms will not stop the many cliques that schools, and society alone, have. People have cliques because they have the same interests as each other, they can relate with each other, and get along with one another, etc., not because they shop at the same stores and have a certain look. Individuality is what makes going to school interesting. There are other ways to be an individual and express yourself besides your clothing, but it does play a big role in showing others what you are like and finding out who you want to be.
Conformity in Schools Although many people think schools should be conformed to show who has control, conformity actually just takes away from students individuality as proven by, schools making students dress a certain way, what classes are mandatory, and telling students how to prepare for standardized tests, illustrating that conformity in schools makes students less individualized. Schools making students dress a certain way takes away from their individual expression. Some schools ban kids from wearing any kind of logos/symbols/colors because of gang affiliations. If such rules are so severe, students may take extreme measures to change their look. For example, wearing crazy accessories, hair style, decorating backpacks, etc.
Sara Jane wears dresses almost every day to school. She says she likes them and they show who she is and her sense of style. According to “Uniforms, Dress Codes, and Choice,” by Arturo Reyes “Those opposed to uniforms and dress codes argue that they infringe on the students’ right to express themselves.” Many kids like Sara Jane can’t express themselves through their clothes, and in some schools their right to do so is not fulfilled. However, people who agree to dress codes and uniforms say it makes the school as a whole look neater. When there are codes limiting to what students can wear they won’t wear anything too indecent.
With high teen pregnancy rates, the lack of social exposure with homeschooling appeals to concerned parents. With a more controlled environment, and parents able to monitor their children’s activities it brings a sense of security. School administration as well as teachers disagree and argue that children who are homeschooled are not getting proper social exposure or education. Teachers feel that some parents lack the proper credentials to educate their children. Since there are no education requirements for those who choose to homeschool their children, this is a legitimate concern.
Usually private schools have uniforms more often then public schools, and it keeps the focus on school and not on who is wearing what. Some students might wear what they want anyways, or re-designing their uniforms themselves to add their own style to it, which might or might not be allowed. There could also be financial problems with uniforms. Parents might not be able to afford them. With schools so focused on dress codes and uniforms, they won’t focus on other important things such as bullying and violence.
I understand his idea, but the fact is that uniforms did not help the students. One of the critical reasons parents believe that students to wear school uniforms is that uniforms provide safety for students. What they mean is that it will eliminate bullying and violence in schools since students will not judge each other on what they wear. Parents also mention that since all the students wear the same uniform, it is easier to identify people that are not from the school, creating a better safety for the students. Another important reason parents explain is that in a uniform-worn high school, students seem to act more discipline.
No uniforms! Teenagers, these days, have such a great sense of their own unique style and they should be able to show this but, schools are making us wear uniforms. How are we, as students, going to express our style? Some of my friends say that the school uniforms make them uncomfortable and aggitated. Some of my friends say they look fat or the colors don't look so great on them.
Counterargument cons school uniform Pros put forward “School uniforms can be expensive, but compared with the cost of at least five nonuniform outfits and shoes, parents can put the outlay into perspective. Arguably, clothes do not have to cost a small fortune, but anyone with kids knows about peer pressure and the latest trends.Some schools offer financial assistance to families on low incomes so they are able to purchase uniforms.” According to (Burgess, Alex. "Pros & Facts About School Uniforms." EHow. Demand Media, 09 Feb. 2011.
Lastly, school uniforms do not provide an academic advantage, which makes them have no upside to casual clothing schools. School administrators should not make school uniforms mandatory for students because of the many downsides they have, for the few unproven benefits they are theorized to have. Firstly, school uniforms restrict students’ freedom of choosing their own clothes and do not allow for students to express themselves freely. Clothing is a major way of expressing one’s culture, sexual orientation, feelings, and emotions and by forcing students to wear and dress a certain way, this is not possible. In fact, the First Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees that all people should have the right to express themselves freely.