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School Uniforms

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School Uniforms

The school uniform regulation is gradually becoming a reality in American public high

schools. Previously, most schools allowed parents and kids to opt-out of the school uniform

policy, but older and newer school regulations instead enforce a mandatory requirement. The

uniform policy's implementation has faced some criticism over the past decade. Students,

instructors, and parents all have differing opinions on the issue of school uniforms for all public

school students in the United States. Many students and teachers have differing views about the

importance and value of the school uniform policy. A study conducted by Harbach (2015) found

that school uniforms were more prominent in elementary, middle, and secondary schools,

depending on the kind of school. The study also found that elementary and middle school

students had a better view of the level of implementation than students in secondary schools.

Even though school uniforms improved student performance in middle and secondary schools,

they significantly impacted secondary school attendance. School uniforms are a good idea for

public schools because they save money, make it easier for teachers to enforce dress regulations,

and prevent students from making personal judgments about one another based on looks.

Students can sense that they are part of a "team" by wearing school uniforms, which

helps them feel more connected to their peers. Using uniforms to help establish togetherness and

encouragement on a baseball team, dance team, and other sports teams, the same principle can be

extended to schools, and the existence of violence will all but disappear (Baumann & Hanna,

2016). The sensation of being inadequate, the pressure to fit in, or the need to be accepted by

others are all factors that contribute to violence. Often, when jealousy is at the foundation of

one's feelings, violence will erupt in the form of an emotion. A school setting where everyone

wears uniforms means that there is little or no environment where feelings of inadequacy or
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jealousy may develop. The result of violence is less likely to express itself. Because they all have

a similar physical appearance, the children would have a sense of belonging and belonging to a

community. When uniforms are worn, the ability for kids to bully other students because of their

"clothes" is reduced to nearly zero (Kouzmine 2019). When students wear the same uniform as

their peers, they are not given many opportunities to disparage their peers because everyone

appears to be almost the same. The advantages of school uniforms and violence extend beyond

the students themselves, benefiting instructors and administrators, and the pupils. Neither the

school administration nor the teachers would be required to decide whether a student's apparel

complies with the dress code nor whether it is offensive to other students and staff. Uniforms

give a clear dress code that is simple to observe and enforce for students and the administration.

When students wear uniforms to school, the social class divide is blurred. The clothing

code is the primary physical barrier that separates the three major socioeconomic strata: the

lower, medium, and upper, or professional classes. As a result, students from lower-class

families will be disadvantaged if schools allow students to wear a wide range of clothing.

However, those who come from wealthy households tend to stick to the latest and most

expensive fashions. The school requires all students to wear school uniforms to create a more

harmonious learning atmosphere. Students spend most of their waking hours at school, so while

uniforms do not eliminate social stratification, they help promote it (Heward, 2017). The

uniforms unite a group of people into a single social stratum. School uniforms are also

advantageous and inexpensive to people of all socioeconomic backgrounds.

Students who wear school uniforms are less likely to be bullied for their social class or

body image. Students from wealthy households are more likely to wear fashionable clothing and

follow the latest market trends. Less diversity is observed in physical appearances because of
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uniforms and dress restrictions, making academics the primary focus (Heward, 2017). The

uniform establishes a consistent setting, and thus the bully cannot identify a bullying point on

other students because they are all wearing uniforms. According to Spencer (2018), uniformed

students do not worry about what they wear to school each day. The students will not worry

about the possible hostility they will face because of their attire. Being dressed in the same way

as peers members can lessen the chances of being victimized by other teenagers. Thanks to

school uniforms, there is no longer a divide between students based on socioeconomic status,

minimizing bullying. Additionally, it fosters a sense of community between students, which aids

in their overall academic and disciplinary success.

School uniforms help to ensure that students are safe while in the classroom. Teachers,

security personnel, and other school personnel will have an easier time identifying intruders and

thugs wearing school uniforms. More to the point, when students are dressed in civilian clothing,

gang members can easily blend in with their peers, making it impossible for school security

officials and teachers to identify them (Woo et al., 2020). Consequently, school uniforms may

assist school teachers in identifying intruders who are not part of the kids' group, protecting the

safety of students and the setting in which they learn. Further, the uniform discourages students

from donning gang colors or hiding weapons beneath loose clothing, both of which are common

occurrences among gang members. Having students wear school uniforms reduces the number of

incidents of social crime at the school and among students (Heward,2017). It makes it easier to

monitor students' movements within and outside the school, making it easier to spot any unusual

activity.

School uniforms help students focus on their studies, resulting in a better learning

environment for all students. There are fewer distractions when pupils wear the same school
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uniforms, such as when they are all dressed alike. Students who wear civilian clothing to school

may also be distracted by other students' fashion, style, and accessory choices, hindering their

learning ability. Students are better able to concentrate on their studies when they are

not distracted by the color, pattern, or style of their clothes when required to wear school

uniforms.

School uniforms help to instill discipline and morals in young people's lives. For

example, school uniforms can assist students in developing a sense of self-discipline since they

place restrictions on their ability to violate the school's code of conduct and how they act while at

school. Secondly, it directs learners' behavior in a particular or desirable direction since it assists

them in operating in a specified or wanted manner. Additionally, kids who wear school uniforms

are more likely to comply with other school rules because they feel equal and are less likely to

disrespect teachers and other students who do not wear school uniforms (Sunaeva et al., 2020).

Also, the wearing of school uniforms prepares students for life beyond school, in which they will

be expected to dress formally or in uniform, depending on the work requirements.

The retailers stock uniforms with colors that the adjacent schools require, and as the

demand for these colors grows, so does the level of competition amongst retailers. As a result,

parents will locate coupons or discounted pricing on the school uniforms that their children are

expected to wear. Regular competition, for example, provides back-to-school bargains on

uniform polo shirts at 50 percent off the retail price. If parents keep an eye out for and take

advantage of such offers, the cost of clothing for their student for an entire year can be less than

$150. While merchants provide promotions or discounts on back-to-school clothes, the discounts

are rarely as substantial as those offered on uniformed clothing. Another advantage of uniforms

for the family's financial situation is that many uniforms may be used year after year, saving
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money. Consequently, it removes the need to purchase multiple clothing items for each school

day, which would otherwise be necessary. The majority of schools that require uniforms also

allow students to switch their uniforms during the year (Ingram, 2016). For example, a school

may organize a uniform drive, during which students can bring their outgrown uniforms and

swap them for new ones that will be used throughout the year. Hence, this becomes an excellent

option for individuals who have limited financial resources to obtain the appropriate uniforms for

their students. The money saved by a family when they take advantage of retail sales and

uniform swaps can be kept and used for other purposes.

Uniforms minimize the cost to families in various ways, not just in terms of money but

also in maintaining harmonious relationships. When it comes time to buy back-to-school

supplies, uniform regulations remove the option of purchasing "alternatives." Take into

consideration how many arguments a mother can save with her child if the necessary outfit for

school is a uniform (Gaille n.d.). When uniforms are required, the agreement issue is reduced to

the simple question of which size to purchase. In many cases, the color and type policy has

already been established. It could be a navy blue, red, or white polo shirt with a skirt or pants in

blue or tan. The aspect eliminates any opportunity for the students to debate or fight over which

expensive name-brand shirt they wish to purchase.

Consequently, the uniform and its standards eliminate the possibility of a parent/student

disagreement in the middle of a retail shop. Such benefit is not just available at the beginning of

the school year, but it is also available every morning. When the kid wakes up and begins to get

ready for school, there is no need for them to get into a pointless fight with their mother about

what they should wear to school that day. This decision has already been made because the

student has a uniform that includes the precise alternatives and knows what is expected of them.
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Because the uniform is what they will wear, there is no need to discuss it with the student, the

connection between mom and the student can remain harmonious. Again, in the simplicity of the

morning, the fact that the student is required to wear a uniform lessens the likelihood of the bond

with their mother being destroyed. The advantages of wearing uniforms can be found in the

financial and personal spheres of a family's existence.

Education becomes increasingly essential, especially if pursuing a higher degree in the

future is a long-term objective. When students are obliged to wear uniforms, it helps them

understand that school is different from playtime. For instance, when students participate in an

extracurricular activity such as dance in their leisure moments, they prepare for the activity both

physically and psychologically before beginning. They put on their dance attire, which allows

their bodies to move freely during training, not hindering their ability to learn. They mentally

prepare themselves and engage their brains to switch into "learning to dance" mode, and as a

result, they are ready for concentration and development. When children put on specialized

apparel for school, such as a uniform, they assist their brains in focusing on the information they

are preparing to receive. Wearing the uniform, participating in learning activities, reaching goals,

and following rules are all examples of how the student achieves success in habits that will help

them be successful in the future. They learn that education is essential, and as a result, they dress

inappropriate apparel for their time spent in the learning atmosphere of the school environment.

Students who wear uniforms can learn that school is essential and can display

achievement due to their efforts. They need to dress in the proper uniform to provide the outward

appearance that learning is necessary, and they achieve success when they adhere to the uniform

policy. The phrase "Dress for Success" is one that most of us are familiar with. It is precisely this

that pupils are doing when they wear uniforms to school in the very atmosphere where learning
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takes place: they dress for success. Repeated action helps students comprehend the importance of

behavior and learning, and it provides them the confidence to continue their education (Bain,

2018). Students who are secure in their capacity to learn and demonstrate that confidence

through the necessity of dressing in uniforms to focus on success is less fearful of college

education than those who are not. The fact that schools mandate uniforms and parents support

them sends a message to pupils about the importance of education. We are informing them that

school is essential enough to need a separate outfit just for school purposes.

Similarly to how an attorney would dress for a court appearance in their best professional

gear, our pupils should dress for school in uniform to help them feel great and demonstrate that

success. Confidence can be seen in the faces of students who dress in uniform. This self-

assurance aids students in their commitment to learn and subsequently to pursue more learning

opportunities beyond high school. When it comes to pursuing higher education, a determination

is essential. Encouraging students to feel this by wearing a uniform to school can help them

create the perspective that they can achieve their goals (Gentile & Imbermann, 2012). When a

student believes in themselves, they can do far more than they could have imagined. Because

pupils who dress for success will find it, they will learn and do amazing things throughout their

lives.

School uniforms might be monotonous for some students, as there is no room for

individual style when wearing them. The majority of uniform colors are dreary and uninteresting,

making them unappealing to most people. Some of them even have a design that appears to be

quite old. Wearing the same pattern and drab hue daily might harm one's self-esteem and

happiness (Bain, 2018). The ease with which uniforms can be worn might sometimes have a

detrimental impact. If girls are required to wear skirts, they may find them uncomfortable,
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particularly during their menstrual cycle. Notably, it is terrible to say the same thing to

somebody who is in school every day. The majority of children enjoy change. Consider the

following scenario: When a new toy is released, the child is enthralled by it and will happily wait

for the next one. Forget about being a child again and having to play with the same toy for years

on end, without ever receiving anything new to play with would harm one's psychological well-

being (Bain, 2018). However, any determined student cannot be influenced by the uniform's

color and design. The main objective in school is to learn and achieve academic success.

Students are encouraged to overlook the monotonous created by wearing school uniforms and

concentrate on school activities to succeed in academics and careers.

School uniforms are a good idea for public schools because they save money, make it

easier for teachers to enforce dress regulations, and prevent students from making personal

judgments about one another based on looks. In this regard, it would be highly beneficial for the

public school system to establish school uniforms for all of its kids, regardless of their grade

level. School uniforms for all public schools would have numerous advantages, which should be

considered while deciding. When uniforms are imposed, the benefits to students are numerous

and far-reaching. Because students believe they are on an equal footing with their peers, violence

is lessened. The state education departments must develop school uniform policies in a bill that

will eventually become law and enforce regulation across the nation. However, states and local

school districts must approve a uniform policy for the uniforms to succeed. Parents and other

school activities should take responsibility for making uniforms a rule in schools. The

policymakers need to incorporate parents from the start to ensure that the backing of parents will

effectively end the debate on school uniforms. In the past several years, there has been a
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significant increase in family groups who advocate for stricter discipline in their children's

schools.
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References

Bain, M. (2018, September 11). School uniforms are rapidly on the rise at US public

schools. Quartzy; Quartz. https://qz.com/quartzy/1382336/school-uniforms-are-

rapidly-on-the- rise-at-us-public-schools/

Baumann, C; Krskova H. (2016) School Discipline, School Uniforms and

Academic International Journal of Education Management. Retrieved

from https://opinionfront.com/benefits-of-school-uniforms

Gaille, Louise. n.d., 22 Advantages and Disadvantages of School uniforms. Retrieved

from https://vittana.org/22-advantages-and-disadvantages-of-school-uniforms

Gentile, Elizabetta; Imberman, Scott A. (2012, Jan) Journal of Urban Economics Vol 71.

Dressed for Success? The Effect of School Uniforms on Student Achievement and

Behavior. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jue.2011.10.002

Harbach, M. J. (2015). Sexualization, sex discrimination, and public school dress codes. U. Rich.

L. Rev., 50, 1039.

Heward, C. (2017). Making a Man of Him: Parents and Their Sons' Education at an English

Public School 1929-50. Routledge & CRC Press.

https://www.routledge.com/Making-a- Man-of-Him-Parents-and-Their-Sons-

Education-at-an-English- Public/Heward/p/book/9781138040816

Ingram, Leah (2016, Aug 1) How School Uniforms Can Save Money. Retrieved

from https://parade.com/496380/leahingram/how-school-uniforms-can-save-

money/

Kouzmine, Michelle (2019, Nov 28) Very Well Family. Benefits of School Uniforms for
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Students. Retrieved from https://www.verywellfamily.com/school-uniform-pros-

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Spencer, C. (2017, October 31). What's the point of a school uniform? The Guardian; The

Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/education/mortarboard/2013/oct/03/why-

wear- school-uniform

Sunaeva, S. G., Sunaeva, G. G., Gordeeva, T. A., Gerasimenko, I. I., & Moskovskaia, I. A.

(2020). Scientific and Practical Justification of Designing School Uniform. In SHS

Web of Conferences (Vol. 79, p. 03007). EDP Sciences.

Woo, J. M., Tam, C. L., Bonn, G. B., & Tagg, B. (2020). Student, Teacher, and School

Counselor Perceptions of National School Uniforms in Malaysia. Frontiers in

Psychology, 11, 1871.