Positive Outcomes of School Uniform Use

Schools around the country have a growing concern of violence and safety. One way they are controlling this issue is through the use of school uniforms. One in every five schools across the country both public and private are now requiring a school uniform.(Daniels) Students oppose the use of uniforms in schools due to lack of expression. "My belief is that when you go to school, you go to school to learn.” said Barbara Thompson superintendent of Montgomery schools.(Nettles) Students are in school to learn and not to worry about what they are wearing. Yes, freedom of expression may be stifled in the process, however there are more important reasons for why there is a need for uniforms.

There tends to be an understanding that there is a difference between a dress code and a uniform. However, most school dress codes have become as strict as uniforms.(Daniels) Dress codes require a certain set of rules for a student to pay attention to when dressing for school in the morning. Some rules may include the length of shorts or the width of a strap on a top. While many are okay with these codes many are not okay with uniforms. Uniforms are a set of clothing including items such as a pair of dress pants and a dress shirt.(Daniels) School Uniforms and dress codes in schools are increasing in specificity. Schools are changing with the world around them to make policies up to date.

All though many students argue against uniforms do to the lack of self expression, parents and teachers alike are for them. Uniforms do bring an extra cost to the parents but eliminates the extra shopping trips before school starts. Parents spend less money on clothing and eliminate the need for new clothing each year. School officials say that school uniforms...

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As President Clinton said, "If it means that the school rooms will be more orderly and more disciplined, and that our young people will learn to evaluate themselves by what they are on the inside, instead of what they're wearing on the outside, then our public schools should be able to require their students to wear uniforms." When it comes down to it there seems to have been more positive outcomes of uniforms then negative. Students are under less pressure to dress like others just to fit in, as well as parents to have to worry about their students performance in schools. Yes, it is a little more costly but there is not a need for an entire wardrobe, but simply just a few outfits. Soon it will come to the fact that there is a need for safety in schools rather than self expression and you will see more uniforms in schools across the country.