General Information
The Case Against School Uniforms
Those that believe school uniforms are not beneficial generally make the following arguments:
Inhibits creativity and self expression
Individuality
The oponents of school uniform maintain that students should be allowed to choose their own clothes and they shouldn't be forced to conform. The opponents feel that the inability to choose ones clothes causes children to lose their individuality. Interestingly, many who fill strongly about this are not nearly as concerned over the insistance of many schools to avoid contoversial issues. Different socities have place varying emphasis on conformity. In Japan it has been a strongly held goal. In America society has placed a much greater emphasis on individuality.
Causes discipline problems
Some students object to any rules. Rules about their clothes are particularly objecvtionable to some. They alter their uniform by lengthening, shortening, widening or tightening them. Tension between students and teachers sometimes occurs, as teachers try to enforce the school rules, and students resist them.
Little or no relationship to academics
Opponents insist that there is no creditable evidence that uniforms improve school discipline or result in superior academic achievement. The principal evidence offered here is that some good students are scruffy dressers. There is no doubt that children can learn even if they dress as they want. The question not addressed is to what extent fashion, and the tendency of moden children to focus on fashion, distracts from the academic program. This issue is generally avoided by those who argue that dress is unrelated to academics.
High cost
Some say that uniforms are excesively costly. As they arre generallyn available from one supplier some of the market action limiting prices may not work well.
Emphasizes social distinctions
The uniforms worn by affluent children going to private schools help to emphasize class destinctions.
Dowdy styles
Children generally feel that their uniforms are dowdy and not attractive or stylish.