Debate: Should School Uniforms be Banned?
Side: Study to support uniforms

I beg to differ that there are no social, financial, or psychological arguments to support school uniforms. From http://muse.widener.edu/~egrozyck/EDControversy/Eppinger.html The biggest deterrent to a healthy school climate may be the lack of discipline and respect. The absence of a well-disciplined student body is a major problem in many school districts (Curriculum Review, 1994.) This is true in suburbs as well as cities. Too many students are preoccupied with how they look and what they wear, rather than their studies. Schools have become a stage for the latest fashion parade, deflecting away the attention from learning and achieving educational goals (LaPoint, 1993.)School uniforms can create a sense of togetherness in a school building. This sense of togetherness can convey to the tax-paying public that schools are well managed because the students are under control due to their dress (Peters, 1996.) There is more of a socio-economic balance among the students with the wearing of uniforms. Students who attempt to make fashion statements through the wearing of designer clothing are virtually neutralized. School spirit is enhanced because a feeling of togetherness is created. The gap between the "haves" and the "have-nots" is narrowed due to uniforms (LaPoint, 1993.) Uniforms create social harmony due to the uniform look of similarly clothed students (Kaiser, 1985.)Proponents of school uniforms claim that school safety would be improved through a mandatory uniform policy. Gang type clothing would be eliminated. Crimes such as theft of expensive clothing or footwear would be substantially reduced (McDaniel, 1996.) Intruders in school buildings could easily be spotted if all the students were wearing a similar style of dress (Forbes, 1994.).Supporters of uniforms contend that the wearing of school uniforms affects students’ perception of school climate. Students feel as though they are part of a team, and according to Keith King of the University of Cincinnati, "The number one protective factor against school violence is having students feel connected to their school and that they fit in." (Wingert, 1999.) Student respect for teachers, administrators, and especially for each other would be improved with the institution of a mandatory uniform dress code. The sense of togetherness that a uniform policy would instill in a school can not be overstated. If students were all dressed in a similar fashion, the "playing field would be leveled." Each and every student would be similar. The students would spend more time concentrating on their school work, rather than on what their friends or they are wearing. There would be less ridicule of students due to their inability to dress in a style acceptable to the "in-crowd" (Manual on School Uniforms, 2000.)With the high cost of clothing today, school uniforms can lift a financial burden from students’ families. The cost of designer clothing, and especially footwear, is expensive (Timely Tips: School Uniforms Debate, 2000.) School uniforms can be purchased at one-third the cost of most school outfits that are purchased in department stores. Three school uniforms can be purchased for under a hundred dollars.School uniforms would assist students and parents in other ways. Students would learn to appreciate the elimination of so many choices when getting dressed for a school day. Students would not be tardy for school as often because of the indecision about what to wear in the mornings (Showalter, 1997.) Parents would know that what a student puts on in the morning is what they would wear at school. Students sometimes change to other outfits once their parents leave for work. Uniforms promote a "down to business" atmosphere because kids view them as work clothes rather than play clothes. Therefore, they take school more seriously than before the uniform code was instituted (Kaiser, 1985.)At the very minimum, schools should address the issue of a dress code. It is not necessary for the code to be rigid. But it is necessary for the dress code to be reasonable and fair. The best interests of students and their welfare should be addressed. There is no magical solution to the stopping of school violence and the improvement of discipline. Much of this answer lies in the chemistry that exists in a school between students and staff. Uniforms might appear to the public as the cure-all for a schools’ ills, but the ultimate decision on behavioral change is made by the children themselves.From http://www.buzzle.com/articles/benefits-of-school-uniforms.html 1. A school uniform makes it easier for the school authorities to recognize students belonging to their school. It also makes it somewhat tougher for those that don’t belong to slip in; unless, of course, they go to all the trouble of buying a uniform that fits.2. A school uniform also saves the school administrators from having to police what the students wear. There are no daily battles regarding what’s appropriate or not for school.3. A school uniform apparently also saves students from putting their fashion tastes before their learning requirements. When they don’t have to spend time wondering what to wear and how to make a fashion statement, they can devote more time to getting an education. Theoretically, that is.4. Wearing the same type of dress reduces social snobbery and peer pressure in educational institutions. It is also supposed to reduce incidents of bullying and theft. How do you pick on someone for wearing the same dress as yourself? Why would you steal a pair of shoes you both have and can afford? I suppose there are ways and there are reasons, but fewer.5. School uniforms cramp the style of gang members. They have to recognize each other by names and faces instead of by flaunting aggressively painted jackets, T-shirts with obscene messages, clunky jewelry, and things like that. Instead of ‘my gang’ and ‘your gang’, they also have to think in terms of ‘our school’. It’s a hard life. On the brighter side, it helps them to live another day and go on to survive in college.6. A school uniform can instill a sense of discipline and community feeling. This naturally reduces incidents of violence. Students can come to school without worrying about personal safety. Teachers don’t have to double as guards, and can concentrate on teaching.Other resources:http://www.edu-cyberpg.com/Teachers/dresscode.html http://712educators.about.com/cs/schoolviolence/a/uniforms.htm http://kids.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Benefits_of_School_Uniforms