A school uniform is the distinctive clothing that is worn by students attending the same school. Recently, public schools in the United States adopted a mandatory school uniform policy as a move towards reducing marginalization and improving identity. In 2011, almost two in ten schools required that all students wear the schools’ uniforms, up from two in sixteen in 2003 (Listland, 2014). School uniforms remove learning distractions and allow students to be more attentive in school because they help set a tone and an environment that shows seriousness in schools. This essay delves on persuading policymakers, parents, students, and educators why students should wear a uniform to school.
Wearing school uniform reduces bullying in school because it reduces the marginalization of students from less privileged families. Competition over outfits among students is reduced, and students who are not very fashionable or who wear cheap outfits are not teased a lot. Peer pressure is also reduced when all wear the same because all of them get the feeling that they belong and that they are accepted. There are no class lines among students then. In a survey conducted by the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), 86% of the pupils said that peer pressure went down when school uniforms were used (Percy, 1).
When a school uniform policy is put in place, students get community spirit, become unified, and possess more pride in their school (Telegraph, 2016). In 2007, a study by Oxford Brookes University found that students braced themselves with pride in schools that wore uniforms (Karen, 3). They had a sense of belonging, and they feel that they can rely on the community. They feel like a part of the bigger picture and team. They respect, trust, and care for a fellow teammate.
Critics say that school uniforms discourage students from expressing their right to expression of individuality. They also say that they do not necessarily positively influence the behavior of the students or their academic achievements. They also fear that the uniform emphasizes more the socioeconomic differences of the students and not disguise them. They fail to understand that uniforms bring students on an equal footing and help them get identified by their character, achievements and contribution (NSC, 2013), which what matters most.
It is imperative for us all to be neutral especially when it is best for our children, students and the society and we can do this by using school uniforms. It is important to know that uniformity helps us to focus on more legitimate issues than just clothes. From this essay, it is evident that wearing school uniforms is best for students. It is cheap, improves school performance and school unity. All these, are incentives enough.
Works Cited
Karen, W. Lebanon Valley College. “Research Brief School Uniforms.” Education Partnerships, Inc. 2/26/07. PDF.
French Toast. “Category.” frenchtoast.com. Web. Retrieved 11/03/2016.
Listland. “Top 10 Reasons School Uniforms Should Be Mandatory.” listland.com. All Culture. 30/09/2014. Web. 10/03/2016.
NSC News. “Are School Uniforms Helping or Hindering?” today.com. World News. 19/11/2014. Web. Retrieved 10/03/2016.
Percy L. Julian High School. “Important Facts about School Uniforms”. PDF
ProCon.org. “Should Students Have to Wear School Uniforms?” ProCon.org. 9/12/2014. Web. Retrieved 10/03/2016.
Telegraph. “Should We Get Rid of School Uniform?” telegraph.co.uk. 09/03/2016. Web. Retrieved 10/03/2016.
Wall Street Journal. “News Hub: School Uniforms for Pre-Schoolers”. wsj.com 26/04/2011. Web. Retrieved 10/03/2016.
