An Argument Against School Uniforms

Enos Ephraim L. Lola

G-11 HUMSS 3

POSITION PAPER

There is an ongoing discussion in this school about school uniforms, whether or not they

help with behavior problems, and increase test scores. As an eleventh-grade student at Trece

Martires City Senior High School, I do not want school uniforms. In this paper I will present the

argument against wearing school uniforms. I will include, personal opinion and will also site

research.

Kade A., a sixth-grade student, when asked about school uniforms said, “No, I don’t like

them, because they are uncomfortable, and make you feel like you are in your church clothes all

the time.” Daycen J., another student said, “I don’t like school uniforms because they take away

student’s individuality.”

Dr. Alan Hilfer, senior psychologist in Brooklyn’s Children’s and Adolescent Unit at

Maimonides Medical Center states:

"Clothes are a source of expression for children, and as kids get older, they become increasingly
resentful of uniforms….By instituting a uniform policy, schools are taking away kids’ individuality---
schools need to decide if that sacrifice is worth making.”

Dr. Hilfer was talking about whether taking away student’s individuality was worth the

payoff of the decreased behavior problems, and increased test scores. A study done by David L.

Brunsma , University of Alabama and Kerry A. Rockquemore of Notre Dame, entitled Effects of

Student Uniforms on Attendance, Behavior Problems, Substance Abuse, and Academic

Achievement, showed that uniforms did not lead to an improvement in these areas. The

researchers’ conclusion was:

 “Student uniform use was not significantly correlated with any of the school commitment variables such as
absenteeism, behavior, or substance use (drugs). In addition, students wearing uniforms did not appear to
have any significantly different academic preparedness, preschool attitudes, or peer group structures with
preschool attitudes than other students.”

One area that might be of concern was the lessening of gang related problems, and

fashion wars. A study published in 1995, by Lillian O. Holloman, a clothing and textiles

professor at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, entitled “Violence and Other

Antisocial Behaviors in Public Schools: Can Dress Codes Help Solve the Problem? explores the

problems the students can get into because of the way they dress”. The study says:

“Gang colors and insignias, whether worn intentionally or unintentionally, can get a student jumped or
worse. Status clothes, such as team jackets of professional sports teams, leather coats and designer sneakers,
have led to thefts, sometimes by knife or at gunpoint.”

This may be true in some areas of the country, such as low-income, inner city areas, but I

do not believe this to be true in the public-School District Division of Cavite. I cannot recall any

accounts of violence against students caused by a student’s clothing selection. I believe that

before you put into action a school uniform policy based on such fears, you need to take into

account the area the school is in, the economic level of the population, the number of people

involved in gangs and the amount of gang related activity in the community.

Most of the articles that I have read about whether wearing school uniforms changes

behavior and increases test scores, are inconclusive. Most of the time other rules are put into

place along with the school uniforms, which may lead to a desired behavior. However, the

uniform itself cannot be entirely responsible for the change.

Middle School/ Junior High is a time of maturing, physically, mentally, academically,

and emotionally. Schools need to create an environment that encourages student’s individuality
and motivate them to challenge themselves and inspire self-confidence. I feel that school

uniforms diminish creativity and self-expression.

“WHAT YOU ARE IS YOUR GIFT FROM GOD, AND WHAT YOU BECOME IS YOUR

GIFT TO GOD”

Prepared by

ENOS EPHRAIM L. LOLA

G-11 HUMSS 3 Hope