Have people ever thought about the benefits of wearing school Uniforms? Many schools
are implementing a mandatory uniform policy in schools through out the United States. School uniforms have a positive effect on student’s behavior. School uniforms may help improve the schools’ climate, which is a vital factor for success in the near future for students in the United States. School uniforms may help student’s feel equal amongst one another. Wearing school uniforms can help students’ feel a sense of belonging and create unity within the school. School uniforms may increase academic performance in the United States by lessening distractions, decreasing violence, improving attendance; alleviate bullying, and improving behavior.
School uniforms may increase academic performance in the United States by Lessening distractions. The practical impact of uniforms is equally compelling. Children are able to concentrate on necessary scholastic activities without the distraction of constant competition in dress. When students are less distracted by dress and behavioral issues, they tend to focus more and do better in school. Students who go to school ready to learn are inclined to become successful leaders, and contribute to positive social change (Brookshire, 2016, p.26). The implementation of school uniforms helps to increase self-esteem and ultimately improve academic achievement (Brunsma, 2016, p. 26). According to ProCon (2018) Principal of Woodland Middle School in Coeur d’Alene, ID, stated that uniforms “provided for less distractions, less drama, and more of a focused learning According to Wooten (2014) “When they all have the same uniform, that is one less distraction in the classroom” (p.1). Since school uniforms mean that all students are dresses the same, they may reduce some of the distractions in the classroom (Murray, 2002; Starr, 1998). Because gang identity may be related to certain
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colors, articles of clothing and ways of wearing clothing and accessories, uniforms may minimize overt symbols of gang activity (Holloman, 1995; Krommer, 1999; Starr, 1998).
School uniforms may increase academic performance in the United States by decreasing violence. Many urban schools have turned to school uniforms for a more practical reason: student safety. With gang members roaming the streets near school, the color students’ wear can make them a target of violence, intentional or not (Gursky, 1996, para 9). Evans (1996) cites, school officials that believed the use of school uniforms blur class distinctions, help curb gang activity, and save students from competition in trying to keep up with peers (p.10). Because fights and assaults are often associated with dress related problems, requiring students to wear uniforms ensures and promotes a safe school by reducing student-on-student violence (Murray, 2002). Furthermore, if students are dressed in uniforms, there may be a decrease in the acts of crime and violence caused by disputes regarding expensive clothing (Starr, 1998). According to ProCon (2018) The US Department of Education stated that uniform policies can “prevent gang members from wearing gang colors and insignia: in order to “encourage a safe environment”(p.13). Educators in Long Beach Unified School District have speculated that the sharp reduction in crime following the introduction of school uniforms was a result of gang conflicts being curbed (ProCon, 2018, p. 13). The need for school uniforms is very obvious and needed, in areas of high crime and gang violence. According to ProCon (2018) School Uniforms also prevent students from concealing weapons under baggy clothing, make it easier to keep track of students on field trips, and make intruders on campus more visible (p.26). The adoption of school uniforms in these areas act as an equalizer to eliminate gang targets (Brookshire, 2016, p.20). The outcome of enforcing in Long beach Unified School District proved to be a success
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(Brookshire, 2016, p. 25). School uniforms promote safety, foster unity, eliminate label competition, ensure modest dress, and simply dressing (Brookshire, 2016, p.26)
School uniforms may increase academic performance in the United States by improving attendance. According to ProCon (2018) a study by researchers at the University of Houston found that the average absent rate for girls in middle and high school decreased seven percent after the introduction of uniforms (p.11). According to ProCon (2018) a 2006 Youngstown State University study of secondary schools in Ohio’s eight largest school districts found that uniform policies improve rates of attendance, graduation, and suspensions (p. 11). Proponents of school uniforms argue that among other benefits, school uniforms can make schools safer, improve attendance, and raise academic achievement (Yeung, 2009, p. 847).
School uniforms will increase academic performance in the United States by preventing bullying. According to Luscombe (2014) “With a strategically chosen uniform, body type disappears and it is hard to distinguish who is cool or not” (para 1). When all students are dressed alike, competition between students over clothing choices and teasing of those who are dressed less expensive or less fashionable outfits can be eliminated (ProCon, 2018, p.9). Nobody wants an item of clothing that the other is wearing; all are equally undesirable, so thieving and general adolescent covetousness are reduced (Luscombe, 2014, para1). According to Anne (2011) Education Minster Martin Dixon said that many schools were adopting uniforms to stop students who could not afford the latest fashions being bullied (p.29). According to Anne (2011) Dr. Dixon said, “If everybody’s wearing the same uniform, all children, no matter where they are coming from, what sort of situation at home or what suburb they live in, they are part of a school group and they do not look any different (p. 29).
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School uniforms will increase academic performance in the United States by improving behavior. According to Stover (1990) advocates believed that uniforms increased learning and positive attitudes towards school through enhanced learning environments (para2). Advocates believed that wearing uniforms lead to decreased behavior problems (Gursky, 1996, para 2). School administrators perceived that uniforms had a positive influence on student behavior. All adult personnel perceived a safer school environment. Administrators and teacher perceived improved behavior, increased cooperation, improved attitudes, and increased work ethic (Stanley, 1996, p. 433). Uniforms may improve classroom behavior because they encourage a student to live up to the group (Caruso, 1996). According to Brunsma & Rocquemore (1998) on average, preparedness, pro-school, attitudes, and peer norms expectedly lessen behavioral problems (p.54). It is typically assumed, as exemplified in Long Beach California that uniforms are the sole factor causing a direct change in numerous behavioral and academic outcomes (Brunsma & Rockquemore, 1998, p. 58).
As mentioned, school uniforms may increase academic performance in the United States by lessening distractions, decreasing violence, improving attendance; alleviate bullying, and improving behavior. School uniforms have many positive effects that may help a student improve academically and overall improve in the schools climate. In conclusion, school uniforms may increase academic performance in the United States by lessening distractions, decreasing violence, and improving attendance. School uniforms create identity and create a sense of belonging and it can help students’ achieve academically. Wearing uniforms in school is a great way to lessen distractions due to fashion, improve grades by focusing in class more, improve graduation rates, and helps make students feel equally important.
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References
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Caruso, P. (1996). “Individuality vs. Confromity: The Issue behind School Uniforms,” NASSP Bullentin, 80(581); 83-88 (National Association of Secondary School Principals). Evans, Evans. E. (1996).
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Holloman, L. (1995). Violence and other antisocial behaviors in public schools: Can dress codes help solve the problem: Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, 87(1), 33-37. Krommer, D. (1999); Beyond fashion patrol: School uniforms for the middle grades. Middle School Journal, 3(5), 23-26. Starr, J. (1998) School Violence and It’s Effects on the Constitutionality of Public School Policies. Journal of Law and Education, 29(1), 113-118. Retrieved from https://www.files.eric.ed.gov
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