School uniforms are becoming a popular trend amongst schools. Students and even most
parents don’t agree with the enforcement with school uniforms; stating that
uniforms take away the right of self-expression. School uniforms are not a negative thing
to have. Yes, uniforms limit what the students have to choose to wear to school
every day, but it doesn’t limit them from learning; the only reason they are in
school. Student treat school as a fashion show, so eliminating that puts the
students’ full focus on schoolwork. Although requiring students to wear school
uniforms may violate their self-expression in some ways, a uniform are supposed
to be looked upon as a positive thing, because they eliminate bullying, combine
social classes and gives the school campus a professional
look.
The most common argument against school uniforms is that they take away
the students right to self- expression. Yes, school uniforms limit what the
students have to wear, but he/she can still have their own ways of
self-expression. Students can
still express their style of choice by the way he/she styles their hair and what
accessories they choose to wear. Their shoe choice is also a form of
self-expression. Students can make the uniforms their own style without breaking
the dress code. Just because a student can’t wear the most fashionable jeans to
school doesn’t mean that his/her rights are taken away. School is a place to
learn. Outside of school, kids can wear and express themselves any way they
please.
Requiring school uniforms eliminates the chances of bullying. Bullies
usually pick on kids based on what they wear. What happens when they are wearing
the same thing? Everyone will be dressed the same, leaving less room to get
picked on. Bullies won’t have the
need to pick on someone as much as he/she would if uniforms were not required,
because everyone would pretty much look the same, including the bullies. When
people all look the same, there is really nothing for other kids to point out
and make fun of. Uniforms provide a more bully- free environment for the
students.
Having uniforms in schools also erase the defined line of the social
classes. Usually, popular kids in the higher social classes would only be
wearing the trendiest clothing. The poor, lower social classes would only be
wearing the latest shipment from the nearest Wal-Mart. School uniforms bring the
social classes together. Everyone would be wearing the same brand of clothes
from the same few stores that sell school uniforms. Nobody would be able to
determine what social class a person is in just by looking at what the other
person is wearing. Everyone would all blend together and be at the same level;
no upper or lower classes dividing the
students.
Schools the require uniforms look more formal and well put together.
Schools that don’t require uniforms have those few kids who don’t care how they
dress, or dress sloppy. There are kids walking around with pants sagging to the
ground and underwear showing. Some kids will even be wearing inappropriate logos
on shirts or jackets. That gives the school a bad look and reputation. Schools
with uniforms have all the students dressed nicely in the assigned uniforms. The
school looks well put together and well maintained. Students who don’t have to
focus on what to wear to school are going to focus more on academics, which
leads to improved grades. The school will look better presentation wise and
academically.
Overall, school uniforms are a great thing to have. Even though this
argument whether or not school uniforms violates the students right to self-
expression will be never ending. There seems to be more positive outlooks than
negative on schools that require school uniforms. Having school uniforms be
required for the students to wear gets rid of the bullies who pick on other
students based on what they are wearing. Uniforms eliminate the separation of
social classes, especially when that is mainly determined by what brands of
clothing a person wears. Last but not least, school districts that require
their students to wear school uniform have more of a formal look to the school.
School uniforms are a positive thing, because they take away bullying
opportunities, judging of social class and make the school look more
professional.