Research Paper on School Uniforms: Creating Equality for Adolescents

Introduction

It was thought that uniforms could help adolescents with their academics because it shows them responsibility, but researchers found that there is no direct correlation (Oppenheimer, 2017). There is, however, substantial evidence supporting the behavioral outcomes of wearing uniforms. Uniforms had their first start in England in 1222 but in the 16th century, uniforms made their debut in recorded history. As time went on, uniforms started to become associated with private schools with children who are raised in the upper class. There was even one college that implemented top hats until 1972 (Meleen, 1972). What are the benefits of wearing school uniforms? In the United States, many behavioral changes wearing uniforms can contribute to including paying more attention to classwork, differentiating who is allowed on campuses, putting a stop to supporting gang affiliation, and giving students discipline and responsi1bility.

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To start, children who wear uniforms pay more attention to classwork. There is always a dress code that students who don't wear uniforms have to follow. This is implemented to keep children from focusing all their attention on flashy clothes that make them stand out. By reducing the time spent on choosing outfits or maintaining a particular image, kids can focus on their studies (Mahalangu, 2017). When students were in uniforms, they would have fewer distractions and thus focus their attention on doing classwork. For instance, if a kid feels the need to show off new clothes, all of their focus is on themselves.

Further, a student has fewer distractions and thus focus their energy on doing only school work. Therefore, this would create a better learning environment for students. Not only does this interfere with school work, but it can also lead to narcissism. We live in an era where social perception is one of the leading causes of depression. Getting constantly judged by your peers is very difficult to deal with and can be avoided by wearing uniforms. Research has also established that wearing school uniforms boost morale and gives students a positive attitude to approach studies and classwork. A positive attitude would not only help the individual students, but it would be able to support the whole class in general.

Another benefit of uniforms is the fact that it is easier to spot strangers on campus. There is a sense of safety on school campuses with uniforms because of the ability to identify a stranger. With school shootings on the rise, it is imperative to pay attention to the people roaming the campus. Uniforms within the school vicinity would create a safe environment for students and the faculty in general. Shootings in schools that have been going on have been done by people that are not students, by ensuring that all the students in the faculty wear uniform, such people that are a threat to the security of students would be eliminated. Students can also be spotted when they misbehave when in public such as when they are in town or park for a school or class function, thus making the discipline of such students to be tight. This can help their behavior in class because students know they can be easily spotted if they are breaking the dress code. An adolescent wearing crazy socks or bows in their hair is easy to identify. To add to safety, every non-student should have to walk through an office of some sort to be cleared to walk on campus. This helps with the protection of not only the students but the teachers as well (Manual on school uniforms, 1996).

Wearing school uniforms also makes it more challenging to show gang affiliation which can lead to violence and a decline in performance by the students. The most common identifier for gang members is clothing. For example, two of the most infamous gangs are the blood and crips. The members show their affiliation by wearing red or blue to decipher which group they belong to. They wear different colors, accessories, and the general style of clothing. With wearing uniforms, showing those identifiers is close to impossible. Of course, students will try to find loopholes in the system so that they can get away with representing violent groups of people. Unfortunately, some things still get through, but teachers are trained to look out for signs of gang affiliation (Wade, 2003). Wearing uniforms creates an environment within the school that would lessen bullying and gang affiliation. The use of school uniforms would make it harder for the students to identify the less fortunate in their midst. Hence, they would judge each other on the basis of class differences which is often a precipitate for bullying culture. Even markers with favorite sports teams can lead to violence. If there are two kids that like rival football teams, there could easily be problems with their behavior. Things like lanyards or team socks are not always allowed in schools that have uniforms.

Wearing school uniforms is also beneficial for parents. Continually purchasing new clothes can be difficult for some parents who are poverty-stricken. This will alleviate some bullying if there are kids who notice other students wearing hand-me-downs or clothes that aren't "hip" (Meleen, n.d). The pressure of always having the newest trends can be a lot for a student, and their parent, to endure. According to the National Association of Elementary School Principals (2015), the average cost of school uniforms is estimated to be cheaper by 77% as compared to home apparel. Further, this report establishes that the primary benefit of wearing school uniforms to parents is that they are cost-effective as compared to home apparel. The uniform helps to alleviate the stress that parents go over each time. By wearing school uniforms, parents and children don't have to be constantly worried about keeping up with the current trends and fashion. As a result of this, shopping experiences would be made easier for both parents and children. Shopping for trendy styles for children to wear in school can be stressful, that is leaving aside the costs per cloth and disregarding the fact many schools offer uniforms to students at discounts through vendors. Caruso, P. (1996) identifies that in Chicago for instance, various vendors that support the idea of school uniforms have supported the concept of uniform policy and had such as comply with the laid down framework to ensure that costs of uniforms for needy students have been subsided. Furthermore, costumes make wearing the same clothes on a weekly basis more acceptable than wearing the same outfit weekly. Parents seem to have similar opinions just like principles when it comes to the issue of uniforms. These parents believe that getting their children to wear uniforms, they have reduced the costs of running their families. For parents, wearing uniforms is not all about the costs, rather, it's about their children not joining gangs that are affiliated with uniforms and other clothing accessories.

Uniforms also give discipline and responsibility to adolescents. Things like making sure laundry are are done is a great way to teach responsibility to children. If they know what they have to wear every day, they will be more accepting and appreciative of the fact that they need to take care of their clothes (Dressed for Success? 2010). It might sound clingy that clothing would be able to improve the discipline but many experts hold the view that school uniform has a positive influence on student behavior. Although many people of diverse opinions would argue that the school uniform would argue school uniforms show a lack of freedom of expression among the students, having school uniforms, however, have a more significant role to play regarding enhancing student identity and sense of discipline and responsibility. School leaders further hold the view that by students wearing the uniforms, they gain skills in the presentation which ensures that class discipline also improved.

There might be a time in which students are not required to wear uniforms when they come to school. At this time, many school principals have identified that there exists a huge difference in the behavior of the students and their level of productivity within the school. These days, the principles agree that the behavior of students is challenging and as such, they don't allow any of this day in the school. They hold the view that if students would be allowed to have many of such days, then the students would not become teachable. Uniforms play an integral role in ensuring that students have discipline and commitment to their studies. In another way, think of the immense power that student uniforms have. Most of the time, this school shows solidarity in line with the uniform their way and passion for winning the games. In the same way, this applies to school uniforms, and it gives the students unity, passion, loyalty, and productivity as they continue with their studies, thus improving studies. Further, uniforms help children to get out of their comfort zones, and thus, they can be more alert on what they are doing and in their studies.

Conclusion

In conclusion, uniforms are an essential part of growing up. Not only have they been around for hundreds of years, but they also give importance to students' day-to-day fashion. Schools with strict uniform dress codes help children with a behavioral performance by teaching them responsibility, eliminating gang presence, keeping kids safe by spotting strangers, and focusing on schoolwork rather than fashion. Even though there isn't much conclusive research that suggests uniforms lead to better academics, it can still help students shape their behavior for their future (Oppenheimer, 2017).

References

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