Arguments About School Uniforms in Public Schools

Arguments about school uniforms in public schools are nothing new. On one hand, parents and students who support school uniforms say they lead to better discipline, student attitudes and even academic performance. On the other hand, parents and students who are against school uniforms say they are too military, stifle freedom of expression through dress and help create a culture of conformity in the schools.

The arguments for school uniforms in public schools

Many people feel that discipline and student attitudes in the public schools are often poor. School uniforms are seen as a way of helping correct these problems. People who support school uniforms say that they help students feel more serious and studious, while clothes students choose for themselves are often sloppy, and that loose, baggy fashions and gaudy jewelery are even disruptive to the learning process. Furthermore, some feel uniforms take away the financial and social pressures of students and their families having to buy trendy clothes, particularly in the middle and high school years.

The arguments against school uniforms in public schools

Not everyone feels that school uniforms are a good idea. Youth in general, and adolescence in particular, are seen as a time for young people to find themselves. Developing a sense of personal style in clothing is part of this, and opponents of school uniforms feel that uniforms stifle an avenue for individual students to express themselves. Also, opponents note, uniforms are associated with conformist - even fascist - cultures.

While some people feel that uniforms are a key part of an ordered and academic school, others feel that uniforms stifle individual expression and lead to conformity. In any event, this debate is likely to remain a hot one as more and more schools explore requiring their students to wear uniforms.