Uniforms-Good Or Bad Essay, Research Paper

What do policemen, basketball players and even hotel chefs have in common? They all wear uniforms which help identify their profession and positions. For many parents, teachers and students, the widely debated issue of mandatory uniforms in schools has caused concerns. Those who oppose school uniforms believe that fundamental rights to express oneself are violated. On the other hand, parents and school officials firmly believe that it is beneficial to the school and the students. Uniforms in schools are essential in order to create discipline, unity and tolerance for others among students. It can be observable that discipline provides for a safer learning environment, unity because everyone feels like part of the “team”, also tolerance because no one is judged based on their personal styles and family income.

To parents and teachers, the primary concern is for students to dress in appropriate attire which would create a healthier environment within the schools. From the perspective of the students, some oppose the idea of wearing uniforms at school. Students are worried that their individuality and freedom of expression will be suppressed. On the contrary, students should not have to show their individuality superficially through the way they dress. Many students follow trends in clothing, but by doing this, they are actually denying their own individuality be copying what others are wearing. They possess other noticeable characteristics that mould their personalities. Individuality can be expressed through thoughts, actions, and words. If your sense of individuality is based on your clothing, then you are lacking originality. Uniforms, no matter how it is regulated, will never be able to hide a student’s truly radiant and unique personality. As a result, uniforms can not destroy individualism.

First, students have a right to enjoy a safe and fun school environment. By having, students wear uniforms, it separates people that belong to the school and intruders. The code of conduct seen in all agendas clearly states that all students are not to invite their friends or visitors to the school. This code, however, is violated many times each year. With all students in uniforms it creates a sense of discipline which in turn helps staff and students distinguish intruders. This will decrease the possibility of violence because outsiders will not be able to enter school premises and cause trouble. We can use West Hill C.I. as an example. The school banned the wearing of hats. Anyone that wears hats in the school would be considered as an intruder. If the teachers cannot catch them then the security cameras will. Thus by having a uniform policy, then students will not be bothered by intruders.

Secondly, by wearing uniforms, students will be able to look and feel apart of a “team”. A student wearing sloppy, distracting, or even offensive clothes is seen as an uneducated person. Whereas, a person who is dressed in a clean shirt and pressed pants will be passed off as more responsible and diligent. Thus, school uniforms provide a positive image to the learning environment. Student uniforms make the school more presentable and adds prestige to its reputation. Uniforms bring unity to a school by creating an image that everyone is equal. No doubt, that students will not have to think about what they have to wear everyday to impress their friends. Uniforms will eliminate the need to compete with someone else by wearing better clothes. In fact, by wearing uniforms, no one would be discriminated by their appearance. For example, if students wear uniforms then their self-esteem will rise because they know that they will not be ridiculed so they will feel more accepted by other peers. Uniforms separate school life from home life, where a student may walk about the house in a ragged T-shirt and a shabby pair of pants. Without uniforms in the school, what is to stop a student from wearing this same messy, distracting attire to school?

Thirdly, many people believe that if their children go to a school which requires a uniform then they will spend a great deal more on clothing. People think that they will have to buy school uniforms and street clothes at the same time. In fact, this is untrue. Parents have to buy students clothes for school so why do not they just buy fewer street clothes and substitute some street clothes for uniforms. Over time, this will actually save families money because uniforms can be worn for a long period. In addition, over time it is even more inconvenient to go to the mall every other month and buy new clothes. Uniforms should last a student an entire year. It must be kept in mind that the uniform is not simply one outfit, it is several pieces of clothing. Also not all pieces of the uniform have the school logo so students can also wear them outside of school. There are no second hand stores but on uniforms, only the upper body wear have the school logo, so people can find other places to buy the lower body wear which makes the whole attire cheaper. For families that can not afford to buy uniforms, many schools offer special programs. For instance Sir Ernest Mac Millan Senior Public School has offered special programs to poorer families so that students will get the chance to wear the uniforms but will not have to pay as much. Students hoping to stay “in style” will spend more money and time on clothes than a student who simply has a uniform will. Therefore, parents will not need to go out and buy their children new attires as often as they normally do.

Our current standards within schools have not been able to solve problems with peer pressures to conform to trends or dealing with school safety. These issues should be a priority because it directly affects each student. With the Columbine scare and other outbreaks of school violence, it is critical that we are able to identify who does and does not belong to individual schools. Mandatory uniforms offer relief for school security. School uniforms would eliminate a two-tier system in which the rich kids look down upon the less fortunate kids because of their dressing styles. Lower income families will not have to worry about keeping up with latest trends, uniforms offer durability and affordability. Without this difference in styles, a positive image will emerge that will help foster greater school spirit. It is in the best interests of the public school system to make uniforms mandatory. The job of a school is not only to educate its students in traditional subjects, but they also have to instill basic social principles as well. Discipline, unity and respect for others are basic building blocks for strong societies. With uniforms, schools have one more tool to build the leaders of tomorrow. is in the best interests of the public school system to make uniforms mandatory. The job of a school is not only to educate its students in traditional subjects, but they also have to instill basic social principles as well. Discipline, unity and respect for others are basic building blocks for strong societies, and with uniforms, schools have one more tool to build the leaders of tomorrow.”