Should Public School Students be required to wear uniform?
Many public school systems are joining ranks with private schools and are implementing school uniforms, as many educators believe that students who wear uniforms perform better academically in school. All schools should require their students to wear uniforms because wearing uniforms can help resist peer pressure to buy trendy clothes. Also, students will not buy these clothes, because they cannot wear them to school. Children and teens usually express themselves through their clothes. When students are made to wear the uniforms, they can’t do this. This will cause students to express themselves through their actions and their words. When every student is wearing a uniform, no one will be able to tell who the rich students are and who the poorer students are. This will cause students to not bully others because of their clothes. In addition, students will make friends with each other, not through appearance, but through personality. If uniforms were required, it will help identify students, and keep organization. Uniforms play an important role with organization in public schools. The School Board makes the rules and enforces them. Students know what to wear and what not to wear. Students come to school well organized and prepared to learn. In addition, everyone looks professional. Because Public schools in The United States have students from all over the world, not only Americans, people of different race, characteristics, and cultural backgrounds, no one should be judged by the way they dress any differently than others, and everyone would look as one. This way, uniforms helps eliminate discrimination. “While school uniforms are typically found in private schools, it may have only been in 1987 that the first public school--Cherry Hill Elementary in Baltimore, MD--instituted a school uniform policy. Then, in 1994, the Long Beach Unified School District in California adopted a mandatory uniform policy in some of its schools, making it the first urban district to do so. The adoption of school uniforms for all 200,000 students by the Philadelphia Board of Education in May, 2000 was another landmark. Though public school uniform use is not widespread, it is growing.” (Public School Uniform Statistics, 2012, pp. 2). In the 1980s, public schools were often compared unfavorably to Catholic schools. Noting the perceived benefit that uniforms conferred upon Catholic schools, some public schools decided to adopt a school uniform policy. President Clinton provided momentum to the school uniform movement when he said in his 1996 State of the Union speech, "If it means teenagers will stop killing each other over designer jackets, then our public schools should be able to require their students to wear school uniforms."(Wilde, 2012, pp.4). The cost of uniforms is a concern for some families, but it has been shown that families in which the children wear uniforms spend almost 80 dollars less on clothing for their children for the school year compared to those who do not have children who wear uniforms. Also, 44 percent of the families in which the children wear uniforms believe that it keeps the children more focused on school.
According to proponents, school uniforms have pros that include decreased violence in schools and increased discipline of the students. Violence decreases because students are less likely to be picked on for their clothing, as there can be no focus on brand names. Along with this, students who are from poorer families are less likely to feel jealous or ashamed that they do not have the same clothing as those who are from wealthier families. Also, as the children wear the same things, it is difficult, if not impossible, for them to wear gang colors or other types of gang-related items. Discipline among the students increases because any tensions related to fashion or gangs have been lessened and students are more likely to be focused on the learning process. (Tanner L. 2011, December 19, pp. 7).
On the other hand, some people believe that not schools should require the students to wear uniforms. These people believe that uniforms are itchy and uncomfortable. They also say that wearing a uniform stifles creativity. However, not all uniforms are uncomfortable, as some uniforms can be as simple as polo and khakis. Also, students can express their creativity through other means.
In the debate against uniforms, there are several points that are often mentioned. To begin with, uniforms may not necessarily stop bullying or other violence. Though the same clothes can help to equalize appearance, this will not stop some students from finding other reasons for singling out people. Also, forcing students to wear uniforms can stifle personal expression and creativity. This expression is part of personal growth and it is very important for children to be able to express themselves and become an individual. Additionally, some students may be resentful for being forced to wear uniforms, causing them to act out. In such a case, uniforms have contributed to an unruly learning environment rather than helping to prevent one.
Now that we have heard the arguments on both sides, what do moms really think about this debate? McDermott, M. in his article “The Pros and Cons of School Uniforms”, interviewed three moms on opposite sides of the debate. Here's what they said:
Toinette Campbell, mom of two boys from Burbank, California: "Uniforms? I love them. The key word being uniform. It gives kids a level playing field and gets them away from one-upmanship on designer labels. It also gets kids used to taking care of their clothes. Getting rid of status symbols prevents children from being teased because they aren't wearing $150 jeans."
Carol O'Neil, mother of two boys from East Kilbride, Scotland: " I am totally for school uniforms as they keep children dressed the same and stop all of the nonsense with kids wearing designer gear. If kids are dressed the same, then they are less likely to be bullied." (In the UK, uniforms are compulsory in both state and private schools.)
Eduarda Schroeder, mom of two daughters from Chandler, Arizona: "Uniforms can be a financial burden for poor families because they are an additional expense for parents who pay taxes for a free public education. I am more in favor of a dress code." (2009).
Although more public schools are currently enforcing a dress code as opposed to school uniforms, it seems that a number of schools are switching policies because they are more satisfied with uniforms. The Nation Center of Educational Statistics (NCES) reported that “55% of public schools in the U.S. implemented dress code policies for their students in the 2007-2008 school year.”(Admin, 2011, pp.2). Dress codes limit some clothes that students can or cannot wear to school. Such policies typically ban clothes with vulgar and inappropriate language, expressions, or pictures and also don’t allow clothing that insinuates sexual or inappropriate messages or meanings. Overly revealing clothing, including super short, shorts and skirts, and certain styles of tops, such as over-the-shoulder styles, may also be considered contraband. These types of dress code policies help ensure that students wear appropriate styled clothes, but students still face peer-pressure to wear what’s in style and are still bullied if they’re not.
The number of public schools adopting uniform policies is increasing, with high hopes of creating more positive and conducive learning environments. Schools are eager to decrease negative behaviors among students and violent incidents like bullying while simultaneously increasing academic achievement and ensure safe learning environments. By following these guidelines and continuously researching the advantages of a school uniform policy, the concept of school uniforms will help with the safety in schools, will decrease the disciplinary issues facing schools, will help to promote a positive school climate, and will place the focus of schools back on professionalism and excellence in education.

References
Admin, 2011. Uniforms in Public Schools. From http://www.schoolofuniforms.com/content/uniforms-in-public-schools. Accessed 5 November, 2012
Beaverschelsea, (2010, 11). Do You Think That Public Schools (K-12) Should Require Students to Wear School Uniforms?. StudyMode.com. Retrieved 11, 2010, from http://www.studymode.com/essays/Do-You-Think-That-Public-Schools-502049.html. Accessed 3 November, 2012
Facts on School Uniforms | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_5462433_school-uniforms.html#ixzz2BPg7lh9p. Accessed 5 November 2012
McDermott, M. (2009, august 7). The pros and cons of school uniforms. From http://www.sheknows.com/living/articles/809991/the-pros-and-cons-of-school-uniforms. Accessed 5 November 2012
Public School Uniform Statistics. 2012. Retrieved from http://www.educationbug.org/a/public-school-uniform-statistics.html. Accessed 3 November 2012
Wilde, M. 2012. Do uniforms make schools better?. Retrieved from http://www.greatschools.org/find-a-school/defining-your-ideal/121-school-uniforms.gs. Accessed 4 November, 2012