Should students wear uniform?

Should students wear school uniforms? The only people left who are agreeable to uniforms
are children when they are young. To them, it is a rite of passage to the grown-up world. As soon as
they become teenagers, it becomes a subject for debate. By the time that they hit the adolescence
stage, this is when they try to express their individuality and mostly, it’s through fashion. This
introduction is aimed to help you have an idea of this hotly debated topic. If they had a choice, a
majority if not all of the teenagers would opt out of wearing the uniform. What role does school
uniform play? Making school uniforms mandatory is a way of taking away the freedom of choosing
what to wear and in the long run, it causes more harm than good to the students. Since this is what
they use to express themselves, it leads them to lose a sense of who they are. There will be no
creativity, diversity or individuality. The fact of the matter is that everyone is different because no
two people are alike in this world, but then again, this is a learning institution we are talking about.

In the same breath, the schools do have good reasons for having all students wear the same
uniforms. They do it to instill discipline as they know the importance of school uniform in learning
institutions. Also, uniforms do help in the elimination of school violence and better the grades of
students, especially for those with low self-esteem and low social status. Since this debate evokes
passionate arguments from both sides, here are some of the pros and cons of wearing school
uniform that can help you finally decide if it is a nay or yay on this topic.

Here, we will look at specific factors that can be considered significant in students wearing
uniforms.

As earlier mentioned, by wearing school uniforms, the rate of bullying in schools has significantly
reduced. Bullying occurs due to cultural differences amongst students. You will find that different
cultural groups have unique beliefs and values that are unique to one another. The act of bullying
occurs as students tease those of different cultures from them. By wearing the school uniform, it
reduces the victimization since all students appear the same.

School uniforms help in saving parents money since they are cost effective. Wearing trendy and
designer clothes every day to school is an expensive affair, especially to those parents that strain to
make ends meet for their children. When it is back to school, there are fewer things to buy more so
the everyday clothes. The uniforms can be purchased once a year and be worn all through the year.

School uniforms go a long way in promoting the school’s spirit. A spirit of togetherness and unity is
inspired. You can witness the spirit when the students are participating in school activities such as
competitions outside of the school. The uniform automatically ignites a higher sense of school pride.

The primary reason as to why the society and schools emphasize on the uniforms is to create a sense
of equality for the students in the learning institutions. Not all students are privileged and come
from wealthy families. By wearing uniforms, social status for more unfortunate students will no
longer be an issue. It leaves students who face low self-esteem with one less problem to make them
worry.

Wearing school uniforms encourages discipline in school. It is a constant reminder to the students of
where they are, making them pause and think of the consequences most of the times before
impulsive actions.

Where there are pros, there have to be cons as well. Wearing uniforms limits some factors
for both the school and the students. There has been a growing debate regarding this in recent
times, to the point that some schools don’t require their students to wear any uniform. However,
the number of such schools is way smaller in comparison to those still requiring every child to be
dressed in proper school uniform. All in all, some of the cons of having students wear school uniform
include:

Self-expression and creativity of students get hindered. Their identity is stripped, and a lot of
students tend to feel oppressed.

The issue of comparison, more so for the girls, is inevitable. Who wears it best is what they strive to
achieve with the school uniforms and it may even create a more significant divide than when not
wearing uniforms.

Resentment of the students towards the school and its administration happens because they feel
like they have been forced to wear the uniform. A majority of students do not want to wear the
uniforms, and as a result, behavioral problems around the school occur.

School uniform acts as a band-aid to more significant issues. There are those who believe that the
uniform is meant to try and solve much more significant problems like bullying and school
attendance. The clothing that students wear has a small impact. The more prominent issues should
get addressed on a higher platform rather than laying the entire burden on uniforms.

Even after some well-written outline of essays on school uniform, the argument on whether
a school uniform violates the students’ right of expression will remain a never-ending discussion. But
the truth is, wearing of uniforms should all depend on the circumstances and the image a given
school is trying to portray. Regardless, the importance of school uniforms seems to win the day
today even as I write this conclusion and even after so many school uniform essays have been
written. On a final note, we should try and find permanent ways of solving the growing issues faced
by students. We should not rely on school uniforms to swipe the problems under the rug, this does
the students no good.

Should university students wear uniforms?

This is a contentious and much debated topic amongst the academia and other social circles. Be it in
Pakistan, or around the world, this idea has been discussed multiple times and on different forums.
However, I feel that university students should definitely wear uniforms, and here are a few reasons
why:

Saving money

An average student spends around Rs50,000 a year on clothes for university. Having a couple of
uniforms instead of fashion statement clothes for the university will not amount to more than
Rs10,000 per year. This means that an average of Rs40,000 can be saved per student. Multiply this
by a 1,000 students and we are saving a huge bundle by simply enforcing uniforms. The students can
pool in the savings and set up other state-of-the-art facilities, like food courts or better labs.

Less time consuming

A boy who studies at a university spends about 20 minutes to get ready in the morning, and most of
this time is spent in selecting an outfit. The same goes for the girls who end up wasting at least 30
minutes in getting dressed. Having a uniform would mean that each university student would save,
on average, at least 15 minutes per day, which now they can consume doing something constructive
instead, like spending some quality time with their parents before leaving or having a proper
breakfast instead of rushing out the door.

Physical fitness

Considering how unflattering most uniforms are and what a poor job they do in camouflaging curves
and flab, students will have to work much harder to look good in their uniforms. This means
students will be spending more hours in the gym now, causing the rates of Diabetes Mellitus,
Hypertension, Cardiac diseases and other obesity-related problems to decrease.

No room for excuses

In cases where teachers and students indulge in illicit affairs, the usual answer brought forth by
teachers, after being questioned, is,

‘Oh, I didn’t know he/she was a student. I thought he/she was a colleague.’

When the student is in a uniform, this excuse will no longer remain valid.

Research polls

Though no survey on this topic has been done in Pakistan, in Thailand a Suan Dusit poll conducted
just last week (September 14-17, 2013) showed that 94.4% of 1,293 university students in greater
Bangkok think uniforms are “necessary” to maintain order and their identity. 70.96% think they
should wear the uniform everyday while they attend classes. So if they are okay with it, what issues
do we have?

A symbol of being a student

Often when I am standing behind someone in a line, I have heard the teller ask for a student ID card
and more often than not, the person has left it at home. When he/she is wearing the uniform,
getting student discounts on coffees, fast food, and even travel will be a piece of cake. If someone
asks for a student ID, simply do a twirl and show them your clothes as identity of being a student.

Difference between students and teachers

When I was teaching, it was often hard to differentiate between the throngs of students roaming
through the college and the dozens of Teacher Assistants (TA) who had barely graduated a month
ago. Sometimes I would invite a girl to grab coffee with me and only later on realise that she is a
student and not a TA. Had the students been in uniform, this problem wouldn’t have taken place at
all.

Appropriate dressing

As someone who has taught at two co-educational institutes, I have seen it all from plunging
necklines to pants which disappear at the thigh to the I-am-not-sure-you-want-to-know. Though I
don’t mind all the scenery, I think boys spend about 60 minutes every day just ogling their
colleagues. That’s again a lot of time spent doing nothing. If this time was to be used on learning
Maths, our country would be rich in engineers and mathematicians. Uniforms can maintain an equal
standard of dressing for all students.

What’s the harm?

Lastly, my question is, why not just wear a uniform? Not wearing them is not making our students
any smarter, sharper, or better! Then why not just wear them and make life easier for all?
Hence, with so many positives and useful reasons, I see no point as to why students should not wear
uniforms.

Need To Wear School Uniform?

The reason why school uniform is compulsory because some students in lower classes, middle
classes, upper classes. However, the rich student wears expensive dress to the school and distracts
the other who can’t able to buy the same cloth to the school. Therefore school is a place where we
come to study, not to show our wealth. By wearing the uniform it shows all are equal. So, we need
to wear school uniform.

Why School Uniform Should Be Mandatory?

Having a uniform helps to students & parents to resist peer pressure. If there is no uniform to
school, the students may feel to wear the fit dress, and also by wearing such types of dresses it’s
more expensive to buy.

Top 10 Reasons School Uniform Should Be Mandatory

1.Increases student safety & less on campus crime

The main role of the school is to keep the students safe. The parents also sure want their kids to be
safe at school. But we can’t keep our eyes closed but some of the stats that leads to injuries at
schools. Wearing school uniform has this impact on students thinking as well. By wearing the school
uniform 50% of the students changes there policy and maintain their discipline.

When we talk about the safety and keeping an eye on students it feels like shame and easy to
manage them at filed trip and outings. All kids similar wear the same uniform it makes easy to
identify them.

2.School uniform – improves professionalism & enhances image

When children grow up professionalism is very important in their life, especially when they enter
into a corporate setup. Of course there are no uniforms in the offices. But the uniform- friendly
children tend to exhibit more than casual kids. Parents also want their kids to be well mannered &
behaved. Study proves that wearing of uniform in schools has given more benefits in life.

3.School uniform – enabling students concentrate on studies rather than clothes

The most important point we have to focus in the school is whether they are studying or not? When
we come to studies mostly people want to share their felling with friends about their clothes.
Wearing school uniform enables a student to concentrate more on studies and less on clothes &
other non productivity activities. Students in a similar outfit also make students less concerned
about what other people are wearing.

4.School uniform – the best solution to bullying

Mostly bullying can be controlled by considering the level through implementation of school
uniform. There are some students who can’t afford expensive or designer clothes are often an easy
target to bullying. Students who don’t give much importance to their dressing and are careless
towards what they should and shouldn’t wear at school.
Uniform plays a vital role in reducing peer pressure and raise the levels of acceptability. Students in
the uniform feel united & connected.

5.School uniform for unity, pride & good community spirit

According to the study school uniform has a major role in building up the feeling of pride amongst
students towards their institution. The feeling of pride is developed amongst the students in the
institute. Study also says that student uniform is likely to build a sense of community spirit. Mostly
teachers observe that the wearing of uniform enhance the level of respect & care and improves
team play.

6.School uniform can solve valuable class time

The 2 things that come to our mind are “discipline” and “rules”. Good portion of this valuable time
can be saved if we have a strict uniform at school. People in charge would not have to worry about
checking each and every student of what he or she is wearing and whether it is acceptable at school
or not. Valuable amount of time can be utilized more productively if the school management doesn’t
have to worry about the dressing of individual students.

7.School uniform – preventing gang colors and insignia

One of the most problems facing in our generation is gang culture. Mostly students at school should
be wear uniform and should avoid the gang colors.

8.Uniform can improve punctuality

Uniforms are mandatory. Getting dressed up is hassle free if you know what you have to wear. This
can helps students to get ready in the morning quickly and lessen the chances of missing school. By
wearing of school uniform it improves punctuality in student.

9.Uniforms are cost effective

“School uniform should be school & not a fashion show”. Uniform polices at school helps family to
concentrate where it matters the most that is on the quality education of their children. Mostly
school uniform makes easier on families to shop for the school clothes. Mostly uniforms are cheaper
than other clothes.

10.Uniforms are not boring or dull

Most students feel that wearing a school uniform is boring. Most school uniforms are pretty
terrifying. It put a little excitement in the average teen’s morning by repeating the same thing you
wore the day before? Your life would be get little bored. Forever we should allow expressing
ourselves, school uniform would ruin our self image

They come in soft yellow polo shirts. They come in white blouses. They come in plaid skirts
or jumpers. They come in pleated pants, navy or khaki. They are all made of durable fabric. They
come in all sizes. They are school uniforms. And despite their name, uniform, which means
"remaining the same in all cases and at all times," school uniforms can still look different from one
student to another.

Over the past twenty years, school uniforms have become a big business. In a 2019 study, the
National Center for Education Statistics found that during the school year 2015–2016, approximately
21% of the public schools in the United States required uniforms.1 That same school year, annual
school-uniform sales (including parochial, private, and public schools) totaled an estimated $1
billion.2

School Uniforms Defined

Uniforms used at schools can range from the formal to the informal. Some schools that have
implemented them have chosen what one usually thinks of in connection to private or parochial
schools: nice trousers and white shirts for boys, jumpers and white shirts for girls. However, most
public schools are turning to something more casual and more acceptable to parents and students:
khakis or jeans and knit shirts of varying colors. The latter appears to be more affordable too
because they can be used outside of school. Many school districts that have implemented uniforms
have provided some sort of financial assistance for families that can not afford the extra expense.

Pros of School Uniforms

“Uniform of a soldier and uniform of a student both are equally needed for the nation.”

― Amit Kalantri, (author) Wealth of Words

Some of the reason offered to support school uniforms are the following:

 Preventing gang colors, etc. in schools

 Decreasing violence and theft because of clothing and shoes
 Instilling discipline among students
 Reducing need for administrators and teachers to be 'clothes police' (for example,
determining whether shorts are too short, etc.)
 Reducing distractions for students
 Instilling a sense of community
 Helping schools recognize those who do not belong on campus

The arguments for school uniforms hinge on their effectiveness in practice. Anecdotal information
from administrators in schools that have implemented uniform policies point to the fact that they do
have a positive effect on discipline and the school. Note that all of the following were from middle
schools.

The first public school in the nation to require K-8 school uniforms was Long Beach Unified School
District, 1994.3 In 1999, officials found that criminal incidents at the district's schools had decreased
86%.4 Test scores and grades rose and absenteeism, failures and discipline problems declined.
However, administrators point out that uniforms were only one of several reforms made, along with
class size reduction, core courses, and standards-based pedagogy.

More recently, a 2012 study found that after a year of having a uniform policy at a middle school in
Nevada, school police data showed a 63% decrease in police log reports.5 In Seattle, Washington,
which has a mandatory policy with an opt-out, school administrators saw a decrease in truancy and
tardies. They had also not had a reported incident of theft.6

As a final example from Baltimore, Maryland, Rhonda Thompson, an official from a middle school
that has a voluntary policy noticed a "sense of seriousness about work." Whether any of these
results can be directly linked to school uniforms is hard to say. However, it can be said that
something has changed to make the officials take notice. We can not discount the coincidence of
school uniforms with these changes either. If you would like more information about schools that
have implemented uniform policies, see the Department of Education's Manual on School Uniforms.
Cons of School Uniforms

“[On school uniforms] Don't these schools do enough damage making all these kids think alike, now
they have to make them look alike too?" -George Carlin, comedian

Some of the arguments made against uniforms include:

 Students and parents argue that uniforms violate their freedom of expression.
 Some students might choose to express their individuality through other means such as
body piercing which is harder to regulate.
 Parents raise concerns about the cost.
 Because uniforms single out students as being from one school, this might lead to trouble
with students from other schools.
 Families fear it might interfere with religious clothing like yarmulkes.
 A new policy for school uniforms can be time-consuming and difficult to enforce.

There are concerns that uniforms are often associated with low-income, urban school settings. The
Institute of Educational Science National Center for Educational Statistics noted that in 2013–14:1

A higher percentage of schools where 76 percent or more of students were eligible for free or
reduced-price lunch required school uniforms than did schools where lower percentages of students
were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.

Other concerns have been raised by David L. Brunsma, an associate professor of sociology at the
University of Missouri-Columbia. He analyzed data from schools nationwide, and published research
with co-author, Kerry Ann Rockquemore that concluded that 10th-grade public school students who
wore uniforms did no better than those who did not in attendance, behavior, or drug use.7

Conclusion

The effectiveness of uniforms will be a subject of continuing research as more schools look for
solutions to socio-economic problems of attendance, discipline, bullying, student motivation, family
engagement, or economic need. And while a school uniform may be only a small part of the solution
for all of these ills, they do solve one major issue, the dress code violation. As Principal Rudolph
Saunders explained to Education Week (1/12/2005) that before school uniforms, “I would spend 60
to 90 minutes a day on dress-code violations."8

Of course, there are always those students who will try to alter a uniform for individuality. Skirts can
be rolled up, pants can be dropped below the waist, and (inappropriate?) messages on T-shirts can
still be read through issued button-down shirts. In short, there is no guarantee that student wearing
a school uniform will always meet the dress code standard.

Supreme Court Rulings

In Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School (1969), the court said that a student's
freedom of expression in school must be protected unless it would seriously interfere with the
requirements of appropriate discipline. In the dissenting opinion written by Justice Hugo Black, he
said, "If the time has come when pupils of state-supported schools ... can defy and flout orders of
school officials to keep their minds on their own schoolwork, it is the beginning of a new
revolutionary era of permissiveness in this country fostered by the judiciary."

Students are still protected under Tinker. However, with an increase in school violence and gang-
related activities, the political climate seems to have turned more conservative, and the Supreme
Court has begun to return many decisions back to the discretion of the local school board. The issue
of school uniforms itself, however, has not yet been dealt with by the Supreme Court.

Schools must educate students in a safe environment. Over time, education has often slipped away
as the main focus of schools. As we have unfortunately seen, school safety is such an enormous
issue that it is hard to come up with policies that truly work without turning a school into a prison
camp. After the mass shootings at Columbine High School in 1999 where students were singled out
partially for what they wore, and after numerous thefts and murders over designer shoes, it is
obvious why many school districts want to institute uniforms. We must realize that learning cannot
take place without some sense of decorum and discipline. Possibly instituting school uniforms might
help bring back that sense of decorum and allow teachers to do what they are hired to do: teach.

Parent and Student Support for Uniforms

 Many schools have in fact made the choice to have students wear school uniforms. Until the
Supreme Court rules otherwise, this is entirely up to the school district. However, they do
still have to follow state and federal anti-discrimination laws when they make their
polices.Following are some ideas to make the use of uniforms easier to accept by students
and parents:
 Make uniforms more casual - jeans and a knit shirt
 Allow students an outlet for their own expression: buttons to support political candidates,
but not gang related paraphernalia
 Provide financial assistance to those parents who can not afford the uniforms
 Accommodate students religious beliefs. This is required by the Religious Freedom
Restoration Act.
 Make your program voluntary if community pressure is too large
 Institute an 'opt-out' provision. Not including this would probably cause a court to rule
against your program unless there is proof that lesser measures are ineffective.
 Make uniforms an integral part of the school safety program.