The subject of school uniforms always causes debates. Those on both sides of the issue are staunch in their convictions, sometimes failing to see the rationalities of the opposing view. All parties involved — parents, administrators, teachers and students — have differing opinions, and they’re not always what you’d think. The following paragraphs detail both sides of the controversy.
Those in favor of school uniforms have many experts on their team. It’s believed that school uniforms allow students to perform superiorly than students without uniforms. The reasons for this belief are manifold. The main argument suggests that uniforms decrease distractions in the classroom, which allows students to focus on their work instead of worrying about the outfits of their peers. A students’ style should not affect his learning. Bullies tend to pick on others because of their clothes; eliminating that factor eliminates the potential for conflict.
Uniforms also make it easy for students to decide what to wear and it lessens the burden on parents to fulfill their child’s need to follow the trends of their peers. Lower-income families often prefer school uniforms for this reason and because the clothes are durable.
Those who disagree with school uniforms cite children’s needs to express themselves through clothing. Kids choose what to wear as a way to define themselves in their early lives. Supporting a band by wearing that band’s T-shirt can make a student proud and provide a chance for other students to relate with him. Taking away a student’s ability to express himself can hinder his personality, which could spill over into his performance at school.
Many on this side have argued that mandatory school uniforms cause children to rebel in ways they might not have without the extra rules. Adolescents especially tend to rebel against authority. If they’re forced to wear uniforms, they may feel the need to express themselves in unacceptable ways.