School Uniforms Are The Way To Go
School uniforms are essential towards a school’s success. There are many benefits to having uniforms, yet many would still argue that uniforms hinder students’ abilities to express themselves, but if uniforms are strictly enforced, students will be able to focus more in school, be less likely to indulge in gang violence, and help lower income families save money on clothes.
Background
The way a person dresses is how someone is first seen and then judged. A test was made to see how people can change their judgement on a person just based off of their clothes, a group of men and women were assigned to give judgements on men and women who had Tailored suits and people who had suits you would buy anywhere. “After just a 3-second exposure people judged the man more favourably in the bespoke suit. And the judgements were not about how well dressed he was”(Menstylefashion.com). Uniforms are implemented to keep order. Governmental agencies use uniforms like the police, military, and firefighters. Uniforms also influence the way people perceive others. Uniforms were used in the 1200’s. Back when it was used when it was first used in England. At one school, students had to wear a “robe-like outfit called a 'cappa clausa'” (Meleen Lovetoknow). Uniforms were a growing pattern in the 1600s, “During this time, Christ's Hospital boarding school mandated uniforms, that according to the BBC, citizens provided. The uniforms consisted of a blue cloak and yellow stockings, thus earning charity schools like Christ's Hospital the nickname 'blue cloak' schools” (Meleen Lovetoknow). Uniform influences other nations. Uniforms were a symbol of people being of high class. Students at Eton College had to wear a “black top hat and tails as their uniform up until 1972” (Meleen Lovetoknow). In today’s schools, the uniforms are more simple. Uniforms are important to the success of schools, and the same goes for the military and police force. Office workplaces have their employees
wear professional attire and other workplaces such as Google have their employees come into work in casual everyday attire. “They rated him as more confident, successful, flexible and a higher earner in a tailor-made suit than when he wore a high street equivalent” (Fletcher). People unconsciously see better dressed people and think that they have a better life. The stigma that clothing determines status was ingrained into society in the medieval ages, feudal lords and kings usually wore crowns and colored robes to show their status. Those who had colored robes were wealthy and were praised by the people of their times.
Statistics
Maintaining strict dress code policies increase students performance in schools. Studies show that the appearance of a student wearing a uniform elicits positivity in the environment thus bringing better grades. “Uniform policies may indirectly affect school environment and student outcomes by providing a visible and public symbol of commitment to school improvement and reform” (Rockquemore, Tandfonline.com).
The uniform is a symbol of school. The convenience of the uniforms are great for students as well. “While she would prefer shirts in a lighter blue, as opposed to navy, Alexandria said the uniforms made life simpler. “Yeah, it’s so much easier in the morning,” she said. “When I get up, I already know what I’m wearing, and it’s already hung on my door.” (Weiss, NYTIMES). The expression argument is great, but this expression can cause students to focus too much on their outfits instead of actually focusing on studying and learning in school. The professional look gives off the impression that the student is smart and a promising member of a society that will benefit the future. This will boost overall performance in the school due to such a positive meaning. Uniforms also have been shown to increase attendance and graduation rates. “YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Requiring students in urban public high schools to wear uniforms results in increased attendance, higher graduation rates and fewer student suspensions” (Campus Safety Staff). Schools with strict uniform policies have more retention rates from students which overall is great for students. Some may say that this limits expression, but this expression comes from education itself, and if students are attending school more they will learn to use this expression even further.The convenience of having something you can wear everyday without having to think about it keeps a students focus on strictly school when in school.
Violence Prevention
Uniform policies are beneficial for students because it prevents bullying and gang violence. “Using dress codes to ban certain articles or styles of clothing associated with gangs prevalent in a school or district can still alleviate the worries of students by reducing the gang’s visibility and therefore alleviating pressure for students to join a gang” (Prevention Works). Gangs are usually affiliated and recognized through colors, a student shouldn’t have to worry about rival gangs roaming the halls while in school. Uniforms eliminate this activity on campus thus keeping the school environment safer. This is an efficient method and more schools are catching on to the uniform policies. “implementing school uniforms increased from 12 percent to 19 percent in an effort to reduce criminal activity in schools, according to the National Center for Educational Statistic” (Prevention Works). The worrying for gang activity in school is a distraction. Students would account that depending on the type of clothing of other students, they would wonder if the person is related to gangs. “Everyone I knew who violated the dress code did so for almost exactly the same reason: wearing clothes that were too baggy or wearing something that was believed to be gang-affiliated” (Nyce, Theatlantic). Students shouldn’t have to worry about such activity, therefore making uniform policies the best option to combat this and keep students focused on school. Students also believe that uniforms are effective themselves, “While children are less enthusiastic about the merits of a school uniform with six out of ten (59%) aged between 6 and 15 preferring to wear their own clothes, nearly half (46%) admit a uniform does reduce bullying and seven out of ten (68%) reckon it helps them ‘fit in’ at school” (Trutex). Students have less to worry about due to the uniform policies, if students themselves are feeling safer and more comfortable through the implementation of uniforms, then nothing should be done about removing them. The small cost of expression is worth the inviting feeling that uniforms give to students. Due to this, dress code policies should be here to stay in the U.S and enforced.
Effectiveness
Uniforms keep students in school. When uniforms are in place, there is not significant , which makes students feel closer to one another bringing a more positive environment. “But some research suggests uniforms do indeed result in a more harmonious school environment, including Impact of School Uniforms on Academic Achievement and Student Behaviour, published in the U.S. in 2009” (Hassan, Toronto SUN). A more harmonious environment equates to a more peaceful workplace for students. The calmer the environment the less violence is likely to happen thus keeping students safe. Not only does this prevent bullying, but it saves families money. School clothes investments are less costly when schools have uniform policies in place. “According to a 2013 survey from the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP), 77 percent of respondents estimated the average cost of school uniforms per child, per year, was $150 or less…. According to the National Retail Federation, in 2013 parents spent close to $231 per child on back-to-school clothing. In 2016 that number has gone up. Back-to-school clothing purchases are expected to be more than $235 per child. New shoes add about $130 to the tab” (Ingram theparade.com). There is a hefty price difference between the uniforms and non-uniform clothes. The benefits of Uniforms are too much. Student expression should be done during school and in their work. Looking at a parents view point, clothes at school are an expensive distraction which supports the motive behind more schools being more strict on uniform. Uniforms are beneficial because they help decrease the rate of bullying. Students spend money on clothes, which gives a bad image on those who can not spend on clothes. “Roughly 160,000 children miss school daily due to to fear of attack and or intimidation by other students. Because everyone would be dressed the same, students would not be bullied because of their clothing. In addition, uniforms promote safety because if an intruder walked into school, it would be easier to spot them because they would not be wearing the uniform” (Sandusky Register). This prevents kids from going to school and prevents the education experience for many. Bullying just makes school feel like a burden for some kids.
Overall, Uniforms are what help students just focus on school. The benefits of the uniform policy is much more greater than without it. School is a place of learning. Not a place for fashion.