School Uniforms, Essay Example

The Benefits of Mandatory School Uniforms in Public Schools

Mandatory school uniforms were once primarily found in private schools, but in recent decades, more and more public schools have been adopting school uniform policies. According to one recent report, nearly 20% of all American public school students are now required to wear uniforms, and in some urban areas, such as the city of New Orleans, nearly 95% of all students wear uniforms. Proponents of school uniforms point to a range of reasons why they believe school uniforms are beneficial, noting that there are significant economic, social, and educational benefits to mandating that students wear uniforms. There are, of course, those who claim that requiring students to wear uniforms can have negative consequences but in the end, the potential benefits of school uniforms far outweigh any of these possible negatives.

The arguments in favor of school uniforms range from the practical, such as the potential savings of time and money for parents, to the theoretical, such as the notion that uniformity in school dress codes helps to alleviate or eliminate distractions in the classroom. It may be argued that the upfront costs involved in purchasing a complete set of school uniforms can be prohibitive; such arguments can easily be countered by pointing to the costs involved in purchasing complete wardrobes for students that are comprised of a variety of different types and styles of clothing. In some instances, parents facing economic challenges can be offered subsidies or other means by which the costs of uniforms can be reduced, further lessening the financial burden on parents.

The use of school uniforms also helps to minimize issues related to students from economically-challenged backgrounds being singled out or bullied for not wearing the latest fashions. When every student wears the same uniform, such “fashion wars” and other distractions are eliminated. Parents may also find that problems related to clothing choices and wardrobe are lessened in the home; if students are required to wear uniforms, parents no longer have to engage in arguments over appropriate clothing choices. This can also save time and aggravation on school days, when students are not faced with choosing outfits every morning. Once parents have acquitted the school uniforms, many of the problems associated with how students dress are minimized.

School administrators and teachers also see advantages to school uniforms. Besides the potential for uniforms to minimize distractions in the classroom and other school settings, school officials assert that there are some notable safety issues related to clothing that can be lessened by implementing uniform policies. While the issue of gang violence may be more likely to plague urban schools than those in rural and suburban settings, school officials in every region have genuine concerns about violence in schools. Loose-fitting clothes and jackets, baggy jeans, and other articles of clothing can be used to conceal weapons, drugs, or other contraband. In most instances school uniforms will offer fewer options and opportunities for students to hide such items on their person, further lessening the chances that contraband will be easily and readily brought into schools.

To be fair, there are some notable criticisms of school uniforms; perhaps the most commonly-heard complaint about mandatory uniforms is that they take away a significant means by which students express their individuality. These critics assert that the school-age years are when children develop their sense of identity, and the opportunity to wear different types of clothing is one of the most visible ways that students experiment with various identities and forms of self-expression.  While there may be some validity to this notion, it simply does not go far enough to invalidate all the potential benefits of school uniforms. Students still have opportunities to express their individuality with wardrobe choices outside of the school. The social component of the educational experience is crucial, but requiring students to wear uniforms does not undermine socialization to any great degree.

All schools have some form of dress codes; school uniforms are simply a more formalized set of codes intended to eliminate distractions from the primary educational mission. For every argument against uniforms made by students, parents, or other stakeholders, there are reasonable counter-arguments, as well as a range of options and choices that can lessen the impact of the possible negative aspects of uniforms. In the end, the minor inconveniences and complaints raised by critics are simply outweighed by the combined social, economic, and educational benefits of school uniforms.