Should Uniforms be Required in Public Schools

Okay, 9spaceking. Here goes my logic. "Furthermore some students feel like it limits and attacks their right to expression." Seeing as this is a constitutional right, this is very important to address. In the case of Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, the Supreme Court sided with Tinker. This is because the school attempted to deny their right to expression when they were wearing armbands to protest the Vietnam War. Uniforms, however, do not attack a students right to self expression. Students can express themselves through bows, hairstyles, jewelry (necklaces, bracelets, ect.) headbands, and styles of ties, as the Supreme Court made clear to be allowed, so long as it didn't hinder the educational process. They can also express themselves in the classroom by how they answer, who they talk to, what they research, and how they go about presentations. Clothing is not the only way to self-expression. Also, your first source states, "Indeed, as the Daily News reported last Monday [April 2002], more and more public schools are requiring or encouraging students to wear clothing of standardized colors and styles-uniforms, basically-and there's been nary a peep of protest." Kids who have been wearing uniforms for their whole schooling experience do not have a problem with it. "Unfortunately, wearing the same thing does not mean being equals in these bullies' minds." I did explain how just because you are wearing the same thing does not mean that you won't get bullied. I do understand that kids will find something to put someone down over. I believe that school uniforms will give students one less thing to be bullied over. Bullying will not end. Ever. Nothing will change that. Not even my amazing uniforms. *Haha* My friend was bullied because she was uncomfortable wearing spandex shorts to play volleyball in. This goes against the school dress code, yet it was a uniform. The school does not regulate the dress code at all. Due to bullying by the team and coaches, she felt forced to quit. "But with uniforms, students become distracted from school and worry about their self-image ever so more based on their uniform." This is exactly the opposite. Kids with less money, or not an appealing body type, don't have to worry about how they can't afford or fit into the most popular styles of clothing. Uniforms level the playing field of clothes. Besides, "More than 90 percent of girls -15 to 17 years- want to change at least one aspect of their physical appearance, with body weight ranking the highest." (http://www.heartofleadership.org...) "80% of children who are 10 years old are afraid of being fat." (http://www.pbs.org...). The list continues on and on with how many students feel pressured to be in the "in" crowd, while students that aren't popular feel an overwhelming sense of disappointment and dissatisfaction with themselves. Clothing is one of the biggest factors of peer pressure that I, personally, see. By implementing uniforms, kids will look the same and not be pressured to buy the biggest brand names. "Girls and boys can be equally hot in school uniforms. Students still gonna stare at each other in love regardless of what their wear." I do understand that. I do believe, however, that it is unacceptable to wear shorts that barely cover your underwear, sometimes not even, and see through shirts, as is the case in my school, so uniforms will help with the provocations. "Not all work requires uniforms. For those that don't require uniforms, using uniforms will decrease the students' abilities to chose their clothing wisely." I do believe that uniforms will allow kids to understand what is acceptable in the professional world. Just because you go to school in a uniform does that mean that you will not get practice on the weekends. We don't give people privileges just because one day they will need to learn how to use them responsibly. Also, it is possible to have free dress days once a month. Other statistics to promote school uniform can be found here: http://www.statisticbrain.com... and http://kids.lovetoknow.com... . I've had a lot of fun debating with you. Good luck on your rebuttal. I hope to hear from you soon.