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Student Uniforms

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Mandatory Student Uniforms The irritating sound of your mom hollering “get up, time for school you’re going to be late” drives you from your sleepy slumber and into an ongoing dilemma. You have to get out of bed and deal with the constant chaotic chore of finding something appropriate to wear. Most public school systems find that teenage fashion is often not acceptable for class. To help solve these problems it would be a good idea if students were made to wear uniforms. I became interested in the topic of whether or not students should wear uniforms when my neighbor’s child got sent home from school because she did not pass the schools dress code. The child is in the sixth grade and the school sent her home that day because she had on a pair of shorts that the school said was not appropriate for her to be wearing at school due their length. Don’t get me wrong, I agree that girls shouldn’t be wearing “shorty shorts” to school for several reasons. One reason girls shouldn’t wear short clothing nowadays is because little girls are developing a lot earlier than when I was growing up. I also have had a little cousin sent home from school because of holes in the knees of her pants. The pants were made with the holes in them for style and were purchased at American Eagle which is a name brand store many teenagers love. In today’s time kids are doing things that are just unthought-of: an example is a little boy who goes to school with holes in his pants and next thing you know someone has put something in his pants. All this does is cause distraction in the class and causes the teacher to have to stop teaching to take of some nonsense because the kids want to act up and aggravate the child by sticking stuff in his pants. So it’s best that students don’t wear clothing with holes in them because it can cause distractions to the others in class.
So now I would like to do some research on student’s uniforms and find out what the pro and cons are for students wearing uniforms and find out whether or not schools could benefit from students wearing uniforms. It will also be interesting to find out if the teachers, parents, and students could benefit from mandatory uniforms being worn in schools.
Most teens want to wear the latest fashion trends whether it is appropriate for school or not. Each student would prefer to dress in his or her own unique way. In most children’s closets are styles they feel comfortable in and a way to express themselves. Peers and the media pressure kids to dress and look a certain way. Some clothing contains logos promoting drugs, alcohol or even violence. Midriff shirts, halters, and miniskirts are advertised everywhere. Since students want to fit in and be cool, they want to wear this type of clothing. In most school systems, however, it is not allowed.
The first reason students should wear uniforms are because they help eliminate these problems by all students looking similar and they all fit in. There are no distractions. Uniforms allow students to concentrate on learning instead of what they are wearing. But even a rumor of possible mandatory uniforms would cause an up roar throughout an entire school. Students unanimously find the idea lame and uncool. In school, one of the most important things to kids is their style. The more they have, the more popular and noticed they will be. (Meredith G., n.d.) With uniforms, there's no discrimination because of what they are wearing. Everyone is united under the same style. Uniforms require students to get to know each other by finding out about who they really are and not judging each other by what they have on. Common dress can also make students feel like they belong to the school community, increase pride, and even improve attendance. School uniforms take away some of the pressures on students to conform to the current fashion trends and gives them a way to avoid overspending on clothing that will go out of fashion very quickly.
Opponents against uniforms claim that uniforms limits rights of the students. They claim that uniforms are not a fix-all for the problems that plague schools, but instead, violate a student's right to express themselves, as guaranteed by the First Amendment. (Media, 2014) They claim that a dress code can provide guidelines and exclusions for certain types of dress, such as clothing with drug references or vulgar language printed on them, while still allowing students to make their own choices and be an individual.
Secondly, as for parents and faculty, uniforms would be a great significance in many areas. Many teachers are convinced that uniforms aid the teaching/learning process. It would rule out inappropriate clothing for boys and girls. For boy’s no more sagging pants or oversized shirts and girls no revealing tops and skin tight shorty shorts or pants. Children or teens are not yet adults and should not be dressing as stars or celebrities they see on TV. School is a place of learning and not a fashion show. Students need to learn it’s what’s on the inside that counts, not what’s on the outside.
Supporters of school uniforms often cite increased academic achievement as a main reason to adopt such a policy. Having to wear school uniforms is a way for a student who doesn't fit into a normal size range (either very tall, very short, very thin or heavier) to avoid being singled out for their lack of conformity regarding wardrobe trends. I will say I think children should be able to express themselves, but who’s to say they can’t do that with uniforms. A third reason for student uniforms would be less of a chance to carry concealed weapons. A pair of oversized pants or shirt would easily conceal any weapon. This is a good example of working to make our schools safer. Safety is a big concern and problem in school systems today. Uniforms can increase school safety. Uniforms allow staff to quickly identify people who do not belong on campus and limit the ways that gangs can identify themselves. Research shows that safer campuses and renewed focus on academics are the two broad benefits of public school uniforms. Specifically, uniforms are said to keep gang colors and other identifiable clique-related symbols off-campus, decrease violence and theft because of clothing and shoes, and instill discipline among students. (Maxwell, n.d.)
Uniforms also reduce the need for administrators and teachers to be apparel police, determining whether skirts are too short or whether trousers are in the sagging zone. Having proper fitting uniforms, metal detectors, and possible clear book bags would all be a great achievement. This just means less privacy for students but effective tools for faculty. School uniforms would surely be cheaper than going to the mall spending hundreds of dollars on name brand school clothes kids want each year. Affordable school uniforms can reduce clothing costs substantially. The average clothing cost per child in schools with a student uniform is markedly less than that in schools without uniforms. The typical uniforms cost $65-75 per year for a set of three -- far less than some students spend for one item of designer clothing. Basic uniforms may be obtained at local thrift stores, department stores, or uniform suppliers. Any parent would jump at the chance to save money when it comes to clothing their children. Not all styles are affordable. Students are ridiculed because they can't afford "in" clothing. Some may even feel pressured to steal to get the right clothing. Students having to wear uniforms will take a weight off the parents who can’t afford to buy their children the “name brand” clothes such as the latest Abercrombie & Fitch t-shirts and sixty dollar jeans from Aeropostale. (Butler, n.d.)
Although uniforms are initially expensive, they can be worn for years, making them cost effective and less expensive than regular clothes. Parents can buy the uniforms a little big if they feel the need to and hopefully the student could wear them for at least two years. If the uniforms are washed and taken care of properly they should last a long time. If parents saved money on clothing their children they may could put the savings toward college or other necessities for their child or children. This is just another reason for cost effective spending concerning school systems. There should also be a qualifying program for parents who would have trouble paying for uniforms.
Overall I believe school uniforms are a big plus for multiple reasons. From being an additive to school security and discipline to saving money for parents. Uniforms would serve as less distractive clothing for students in a classroom setting. Students having to wear uniforms would benefit the students in ways they would have never thought. Such as, those having the same clothing on will make students feel equal, and make them have to get to know who each of them really are as an individual, instead of just judging another student by what they have on. Uniforms will take distractions out of class time and allow the teacher to teach as they should be able to without having to take time away from the class to get on children for nonsense due to their clothing. Schools having uniforms will help improve safety and make it easy for the faculty and staff to pick out strangers who don’t belong on campus. They will take the place of baggy clothing and won’t leave room for the possibility of a student sneaking a weapon in so easily. Uniforms would also help the parents in many ways. Parents won’t have the stress of having to take their children shopping for high price designer clothes that they seem to want every year. Uniforms take the stress off of parents who can’t afford to buy name brand clothes for their kids. Saving money on clothing for kids could allow the parents to put money back in a savings account and allow them to send their kids off to college in the future.
The main reason some students and other opponents are against uniforms is because they claim that uniforms limits rights of the students. They say that uniforms are not a fix-all for the problem that plague schools, but instead, violates the student's right to express themselves. But let’s be honest, just because students are wearing uniforms doesn’t mean that they can’t express themselves in their own unique way. So as I researched I found that there are more pros than cons when it comes to having mandatory uniforms in schools and the teachers, parents, and students all can benefit from mandatory uniforms being worn in schools.

References
Ashley, B. (2014, June 25). Uniforms. (A. Ashley, Interviewer)
Butler, C. (n.d.). How do you feel about uniforms in school? Retrieved 6 25, 2014, from Narragansett-SouthKingstown Patch: http://narragansett.patch.com/groups/opinion/p/how-do-you-feel-about-uniforms-in-public-schools
Maxwell, B. (n.d.). Uniforma can help teachers and students. Retrieved July 6, 2014, from The Gainsville Sun: http://www.gainesville.com/article/20101104/GUARDIAN/101109774?p=3&tc=pg0
Media, D. (2014). Everyday life. Retrieved June 20, 2014, from globalpost: http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/reasons-schools-should-shouldnt-use-uniforms-16854.html
Meredith G., B. M. (n.d.). Student Uniforms. Retrieved July 6, 2014, from Teen Ink: http://www.teenink.com/opinion/all/article/10102/School-Uniforms/
Uniforms, P. S. (n.d.). Why Uniforms. Retrieved June 25, 2014, from Parker School Uniforms: http://blog.parkersu.com/tag/cost-savings-of-school-uniforms/
Wilde, M. (1998-2014). What research says about school uniforms. Retrieved June 23, 2014, from Great Schools: http://www.greatschools.org/find-a-school/defining-your-ideal/121-school-uniforms.gs?page=3

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