Bridget McAree

Communications

Ms. Levesque

24 January 2017
Uniforms

Uniforms have been a debated topic between schools, teachers, and students for

years. Schools around the world use uniforms because of its benefits and impact on

students. Reasons why the majority of schools still use uniforms is because it is less of a

hassle for students, teachers, and parents; it gives a sense of sophistication and

confidence to the student, and equalizes the schools community.

Uniforms make it easier for students to be prepared for the day. In 2010,

researchers from the University of Houston tested this theory and assigned uniforms to an

all girls school. The results showed that the schools average absences decreased by 7%.

Uniforms also make it simple for parents when buying clothes for school and saving

money as well. In 2013 a national survey of 517 US schools took place. 94% of the

people who were surveyed believed that, One of the main benefits to parents that school

uniforms are more cost-effective than regular apparel. On August 20th, 2015 a research

on uniforms was conducted. The average cost that parents had to pay for school uniforms

was $128.29, compared to everyday outfits, which was $165.79. Uniforms are an easy

disciplinary lesson for students by ensuring that students will not start wearing outfits

that are revealing and inappropriate for school. A study conducted at the John Adams

Middle School in Albuquerque, NM. During the first semester, uniforms were declared

mandatory. The results communicated that their discipline referrals for clothing decreased

from 1,565 to 405, which was a huge improvement!

 Uniforms look sophisticated, which results in the student having more confidence

and school respect. A supporting idea is that a uniform signifies the schools history and

community. In 2007, Christopher P. Clouet stated, Uniforms give a sense of pride to the

students for enrolling in the schools community. Corresponding to the statement that

dressing neatly raises the students expectations of themselves, produces the students

having more self confidence. On November 15, 2015, Alun Jones, president of the Girls

School Association and the principal of St Gabriels Independent Day School in the UK,

spoke about the impact uniforms had in her school, in an article titled Skirts at Tops

Private Girls School Become Longer as Teachers Try to Combat Bullying. Jones states

how uniforms are essential and important in a schools society, especially for women.

With uniforms, female students can feel comfortable about walking into school, knowing

that no one will judge their style of clothing. Jones also stated that, They like to look

smart - which is one of the huge benefits of a uniform - and that also means that they

don't have to rise to stereotypical images and behaviours and therefore can be

themselves." Sophisticated uniforms also benefit teachers when educating the students

about correct clothing choices for extravagant occasions. The uniforms show that

students should cover up and be mindful to clothing restrictions in the future.

Uniforms equalize a school's community and refrains students from judging each

other based on their clothing style. According to the National Association of Secondary

School Principals, When all students are wearing the same outfit, the student is less

concerned on how they look to others and are focused on their work. Another supporting

example is when the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP)

constructed a survey about the enhancement uniforms have had on schools. 86% of the
answers approved of the message that uniforms have improved peer pressure. Another

64% of the answers agreed that uniforms have reduced bullying. Another supporting

illustration was a study in 2007 at the Oxford Brookes University in the UK. Their

mission was to go around the school and hold questionnaire with students about their

thoughts are uniforms. The product of the study was that many of the students

questioned agreed that uniforms give a sense of respect and school pride, avoiding the

idea of what peers would think about their clothing choices.

A common counterargument would be that uniforms are a hindrance to a students

creativity. Though they prevent stereotypical that students have of each other, that does

not conclude that uniforms change a person mentally. The student is still able to be

creative with or without a uniform, and they are able to accessorize with little things.

Such as by wearing a different hair style, shoes, bracelets, bags, and through their school

supplies as well. Uniforms do teach students from going crazy with their attire, but they

are still able to be creative with the objects around them.

Uniforms have been around for decades and have benefitted school's communities

in the long run. Though they are continued to be deemed as useless, uniforms should be

mandatory to many schools around the world due to the positive effects they have on

peers and the student themselves.

 Work Cited

"School Uniforms - ProCon.org." ProConorg Headlines. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Jan.

2017.

"Should Students Have to Wear School Uniforms? - School Uniforms -

ProCon.org."

ProConorg Headlines. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Jan. 2017.