The uniforms that students put on when going to school may look like any other clothe worn as a formality. In reality though, the uniforms are of prime importance and paramount meaning (Alexander, & Alexander, 2005). They are associated with so many positive attributes of the social setting. Psychologists have gone the extra mile in trying to describe the importance of school uniforms for students, especially those in the grades k-12. According to psychologists, the uniforms make the students interact on the same platform. They have further explained that the uniforms enhance equality among the young ones who typically come from different backgrounds in terms of financial stability and religious beliefs. This paper focuses on the merits of encouraging school uniforms for the students in grades k-12.
The fundamental assumption held by psychologists is that uniforms bring about equality. It is true that the way in which a person dresses tells a lot about what type of person he or she is (Ross & Mathison, 2008). It also tells what kind of backgrounds the people come from. For instance, it is clear that a rich man’s child will not dress exactly like a street urchin. The logic here is, when the children come to school in clothes other than uniforms, there will be chances that some children will discriminate others along the lines of class and financial background. This may cause inferiority complex in the mind of the kid that is being discriminated against. Inferiority complex is a mental hurdle that can cause a child to perform poorly in his or her studies (Delanay, 2008). As such, uniforms should be encouraged.
When given the liberty to come to school in clothes of their choices, students are likely to engage one another in style battles (Brunsma, 2004). These are silent or express competitions based on fashion, style and latest trends. Such things may cause the children’s attention to divert from studies. It may make other children feel more superior to others. This may result into bullying and taunting among the children. Bullying is an act that can prove really costly. When something is said to be costly in this sense, it means that the thing is expensive in monetary terms as well as mentally burdening. A good example of such costs is where a child has been bullied, and opts to move from the institution in search of a better place. First, the child becomes mentally disturbed. Secondly, the parents incur a lot of money in effecting the transfer.
Research has indicated that uniforms are more cost effective on the part of the parent. Considering that the child spends a good part of the week in school, a kid that goes to uniformed school may save a lot of money for his or her parents. This is because such a child will not need so many clothes. Typically, a child who goes to a school where uniforms are not mandatory would like to go to school in different clothes every day (Karaminas, & McNeil, 2009). This would be very costly on the part of the parent or guardian. In conclusion therefore, it is noteworthy, that the school uniforms are very important for students in grades k-12 judging from the above explained merits. It is highly recommended that such uniforms be made a mandatory requirement for the children in these grades.
References
Alexander, K. & Alexander, D. (2005). American Public Law (8th Edition). Belmont: Wadsworth Cengage Learning
Brunsma, D. (2004). The School Uniform Movement and What It Tells Us about American Education: A Symbolic Crusade. Oxford: Scarecrow Education
Delanay, T. (2008). Shameful Behaviors. Boulevard: University Press of America
Karaminas, V & McNeil, P. (2009). The Men’s Fashion Reader. New York: Stockholm University
Ross, W & Mathison, S. (2008). Battleground Schools. Westport: Greenwood Press
