Should School Require Uniforms? - Essay Sample

Introduction

The idea of school uniforms among students faces mixed reactions from different people across society. Various arguments have been put across for and against the donning of uniforms by students. The need for a collective identity and uniformity among the students regardless of the differences in social, cultural, and economic status. However, some term uniforms as a form of restriction and therefore signifying lack of freedom. These are some of the primary arguments with regards to addressing the issue of school uniforms in students. The schools need to embrace diversity and promote cultural understanding among the students. A justification against the need for uniforms among students is addressed in this paper with a precise focus on the pros and cons of uniforms and the impact of uniforms on prevention and impact on financial and time management.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

According to Gentile and Scott, uniforms reduce the worry on what to dress, eliminating comparison and competition peer pressure, and bullies (6). A uniform creates a sense of identity and equality under which the uniform creates a unique connection among the students and as well as limiting the social class differences. All students are perceived equally under a standard uniform and therefore biases or buying based on the dress code, and the effects of peer pressure are curbed (Spencer). The cost of buying school uniforms is relatively low compared to the other clothes as the parent buys a couple of uniforms which the student can use rather than an extra cost of purchasing a variety of clothes from the student chooses what to wear daily. A uniform guarantees all students equality as it symbolizes all students are equal and therefore are all exposed to similar regulations and treatment in their learning institutions.

Based on Baumann, Chris, and Hana Krskova, school uniform sets a standard dressing code for all students and therefore is used to teach students to take pride in their appearance which entails dressing neatly and presentable (1012). Different institutions have unique cultures; uniforms serve as an indication and affiliation to a particular organization. A uniting factor is established through the use of uniforms serving as identification among members of the same institution. Learning institutions have a wide range of distractions that hamper the academic performance of students. Uniforms can aid in reducing distractions emanating from the comparison.

Consequently, students can improve their focus on academics and subsequent improvement in the overall academic performance (Baumann and Krskova 1016). Some of the distractions include the focus on the best dress put on to class. Uniforms eliminate the divided attention in the choice of clothes and what other people dress to class. The bullying from fellow students based on the clothes dressed is reduced as students as given equal opportunities in the society regardless of the individual's background. The arguments towards students having a particular school uniforms advocates for a common attire that is reflected in all students of a particular institution.

However, some students argue that school uniforms provide a hard time restricting the type of clothes. The choice of what to wear may be easy with the focus on simple clothes such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, and jeans. This can give students an easy time to look presentable and simple while attending classes. The easier outfits also promote comfortability and raise self-esteem among students who care about how they look on their way to classes. One major point highlighted among the students is bullying. However, that should not be the main reference point when arguing for students to embrace school uniforms. Schools should promote cultural, social, and ethnic diversity which can as well be promoted by embracing different attires based on religion, culture, and ethnicity. In this case, each student should be allowed to actively choose what to wear without fear of comparison, isolation, or any form of discrimination. According to Sanchez et al. raising students in a multicultural background aids in enhancing their understanding and acceptance of each other's personal perspective regardless of the individual backgrounds. Coexistence among students is fundamental in promoting a conducive learning environment. Therefore, the schools are in a position to mentor students to survive in different workplaces upon completion of their college education. Diversity is widespread in various workplaces and therefore, it is important to realize the best practices that allow students to fit in different societies easily.

In most settings, uniforms are perceived as an expression of limitations and a form of lack of freedom. In this case, students feel restricted and have to abide by the regulations with the necessary dressing code being limited to one particular preselected type. Students feel the pressure and abhor the fact that they cannot wear what they want at any particular time in school. In some cases, it is perceived as a lack of freedom and a limiting factor that binds them to a student status with no impact on what they care most. On the other hand, acquiring uniforms may be a tedious process, especially where the supplier is restricted to a specific retailer. In this light, it may be difficult to find uniforms that fit well. Since the supply is restricted to one retailer, the student may be forced to take any available replacement that will seem suitable but not what the student expected.

Additionally, uniforms may be expensive at times. Where there is only one supplier, the prices may be hiked. Students may also be restricted to having a specified number of school uniforms and the cost of one may be high compared to other clothes. Purchasing the specified number of uniforms may turn out to be costly to the parent.

The dressing code can be taught to all students despite the attire they adopt to classes. Therefore, the argument that school uniforms are used to teach students to dress neatly and take pride in their appearance can as well be facilitated in any form of attire. The students need to be trusted and given the opportunity to present themselves in a mature manner. Allowing them to adhere to the dressing code based on their best fit attire for classes promotes a sense of responsibility (Sanchez, Andrew, and George 349). Schools can describe the dress code expected and students are allowed to carry the responsibility of making the right choice of the clothes best fit for classroom learning.

Conclusion

Based on the various arguments presented, it is evident that each side of the argument has something to hold for or against the idea of school uniforms among students. Uniforms ensure common identity among students with eliminated disparities in the quality of clothes and enhance equality in all judgments. Discrimination cases are eliminated as students retreated equally on the same status. The important fact is a common identity, equality and a sense of family are created by the use of uniforms by institutions. On the other hand, it serves as an affiliation to a specific organization or institution. Academic performance is assumed to enhance with the use of uniforms as distractions and peer pressure are eliminated. On the contrary, uniforms can be used as a bullying mechanism for some students with the way they look in their uniforms. Parents can also be exploited based on the supplier and the cost of the uniforms. In some cases, students perceive uniforms as a sign of lack of freedom and they have to put up with the uniform if they have to learn. However, it is unnecessary to restrict students to use a particular school uniform as they are prepared to take different positions in society and they should be allowed to act reasonably and independently. At the same time, they can be mentored into responsible members of the society not just limited to going by the regulations.

References

Baumann, Chris, and Hana Krskova. "School discipline, school uniforms, and academic performance." International Journal of Educational Management 30.6 (2016): 1003-1029.

Gentile, Elisabetta, and Scott A. Imberman. "Dressed for success? The effect of school uniforms on student achievement and behavior." Journal of Urban Economics 71.1 (2012): 1-17.

Sanchez, Jafeth E., Andrew Yoxsimer, and George C. Hill. "Uniforms in the middle school: Student opinions, discipline data, and school police data." Journal of School Violence 11.4 (2012): 345-356.

Spencer, Chloe. "What's the Point of School Uniform?" The Guardian, Guardian News, and Media, 3 Oct. 2013, www.theguardian.com/education/mortarboard/2013/oct/03/why-wear-school-uniform.