Camron Dillard

Prof. Graue

English 1201

22 March 2019

The effects of school uniforms

Uniforms seems to be a symbol of strictness. No one should have to wear what someone

else makes them wear. It should all be the person’s choice on what he or she wants to wear.

Especially in school. There are many cons to having to wear uniforms in schools. A lot of

thought should go into what should and should not be established in schools. Uniforms are one

of them. Wearing the same clothes and color everyday to the same place can be really distracting

to who people really are. It could even make them not really realize even the simple stuff going

on around them. What would be the point of wearing something plain everyday to school.

Especially when children get older, it may start to get to them and they may start disliking it

because they can not wear what they want to. As for me, wearing the same thing to school in

middle school got boring to me, so I wanted to know more as to why uniforms are established

because honestly I believe they are unnecessary. Uniforms should not be established in schools

because it could take away from many children and their choices.

School uniforms has been around for forever. It has spread all around the world. A lot of

schools around the globe uses it. Whether the school is higher or lower in education, they still

likely use it. They were used way before people could even imagine. It was first recorded used in

England. But it was not until later when it started to spread around everywhere. Many say they

were used to help better education, or keep their education as high as it can. Some of the

accusations seemed true, others of them seemed false. Before they were used in schools, they
were used for jobs, military, etc. Many families could be affected by these decisions, believe it or

not.

To start, uniforms could be too expensive for families. Not many families have the

financial abilities to buy school uniforms for their children. They may only be able to buy clothes

they could afford that may be cheaper than the uniforms. The uniform could also easily be

messed up or damaged. Having to buy more of the same clothes can become irritating and

disappointing. In the article by Michelle Kouzmine, she says, “So unlike in a school where

uniforms are not required, parents have little control over how much they spend on their

children’s clothing” (Kouzmine 4). Not being able to control how much they want to spend could

be hard on them. They may not like the idea or whatever is going on. Their minds may not be set

on wanting to pay the large amount of money the company or school is asking for. This could

even lead to families wanting to switch their children to different schools because of all the

expenses such as the school uniforms. Things such as the expenses could affect parents

decisions.

Secondly, the uniforms could be very uncomfortable to the children. They may not like

the type of texture or fabric it has in which they have to wear it. The stitching may not be as

comfortable as other types of clothing. Most kids do not like to wear uncomfortable clothing.

Younger ones would likely just take them off. The factor of being comfortable while learning

can make their attention span longer and better. Certain styles of clothing are not prefered by

younger children. Most of them prefer something they can play and get loose in, instead of

having to worry about being irritated by their clothes. In the article by Michelle Kouzmine, she

says, “Some kids are sensitive to certain materials while others are opposed to buttons, zippers,

and restrictive clothing. Some children are also uncomfortable wearing certain styles of clothing.
Many girls, for example, do not like to wear skirts or dresses, which most girls’ uniforms

require” (Kouzmine 6). Certain types of clothing, most children just do not tolerate. They would

likely want to feel more relaxed than uptight due to the clothing that they are wearing. Just

simply what they wear could affect them in a negative way. Also how it feels could as well. How

the children reacts to it tells it all. Therefore, this is how uniforms can be very uncomfortable to

children.

Next, the school uniform use could be related the same as to prisoner uniforms. Uniforms

in school and uniforms in prison seems to be similar in both aspects. In prison, the inmates wear

jumpsuits or something that is required of them to wear by the police or security. This is not by

choice of the inmates, which is the same situation for students. They do not have a say in what

goes on with what kind of clothes they have to wear. They also must wear it the whole time,

which is similar to the inmates as well. Kids have to form lines for different things and listen to a

teach, where as to compare, adults in prison has to form lines as well to use something or get

something. The prisoners also has to listen to the officer(s) commands and requests. For

example, in the Youtube video by CapOhTv, it talked about how teachers and guards are so

similar and how they symbolize most of the same things. Both have to wear uniforms for where

they are located. Most things similar are applied. Even though school may not seem exactly like

a jail, it still has its ways for it to be noticeable. This could make it harder for children to get

through what they need to more easily than they are. The presence of a uniform can bring a bad

vibe that no one would likely want. Uniforms having a history could also make the children have

a bad perception on them. Some are even uncared for. As a result, this is how the school uniform

could be related the same as to prisoner uniforms.

 After, wearing school uniforms could make the children seem as if they are robots. They

are told both what to do and what to wear all the time. They hardly have a say in anything. The

kids already can not pick what they want to wear to school. They are obligated to rock whatever

the school says. Robots do not do too much of their own. They operate by doing whatever the

human owner says to do. It seems like the children do the same thing with older adults

everywhere. Since they are so young, they do not know what they are into. Their parents may

know, but they highly likely will believe that the option they chose was the best for him or her.

Not realizing that the child should have options too, even at a young age. At least to see what

they are going to look forward to in the future. Not just be told what to do and simply follow it.

That is not right and is unfair to the kids who wish to know what their getting into. Not all kids

are the same, but some understand just fine. Without their thinking, they would be operating just

like a robot; doing what their told. For example, in the article by Mark Oppenheimer, he says,

“In the sixties, students fought for more autonomy in dress, to signal allegiance to a particular

band or clique or general attitude toward the world” (Oppenheimer 3). Knowing that a team is

better than one person trying to fight for what they and others believe, is a crazy thing to even

realize. It could be something such as an individual or something so big such as a team. The fight

for the dressing establishments has been around for awhile. Different parts of the world might

play in different parts to which rules could possibly be changed for everyone. The way people

dress or how others dress, can determine their attitude and what they are really doing. Some can

even show peoples true colors on who they are. Not everyone is the same. Robots are nearly the

same as humans when it is possible. But after all, it is still not fully human. Therefore, this is

how wearing school uniforms could make the children seem as if they are robots.
 Next, schools could limit what kind of uniform bottom or shirts ladies want to wear. Most

school uniforms could have options to wear such as different colored shirts, pants, etc. But most

schools require women to wear pants, shorts or skirts instead of being obligated to just one.

Many schools do not give kids the options to pick what they want to wear even on their uniform.

Like it may be rules to no skirts allowed for ladies or no shorts for young men, or anything in

that nature. The schools could even establish skirts only for the ladies. There are many cons for

what the ladies could wear, and kind of same for the men. Being denied the rights to wear what

he or she wears on the daily bases not at school can be very hard. Even if it is something small

such as the kind of socks the person wears. Some schools are just strict like that with their school

uniform policies. For example, in an interview with Dr. Amanda Mergler she says, “Girls’

Uniform Agenda have heard from so many women who have been fighting schools on this issue

for many years. It shows that our education system is deeply flawed when those with the power

refuse to allow girls to wear clothing that they wear in every other part of their lives. Parents and

students have been fighting for this right for decades” (Mergler 8). Effort for changes has been

applied for forever. Even parents are trying to get involved in the changes, which they should.

Everyone should have a say in what is being done. Enough people showing that it is a problem

should be a wake up call for those who are applying these things. It is almost like the school

boards do not care about what others think and their perspective on things such as the uniforms

being used. Girls should in fact be able to wear what kind of uniforms they please. They should

have an variety of options if they are being obligated to wear something they may not even want

to wear. Even if it is only for school. That is where most kids spend their days throughout the

week at. This is very important for them. As a result, this is how schools could limit what kind of

uniform bottom or shirts ladies want to wear.

 Another con, is tagging along with school uniforms, some boys may have to get their

haircut and ladies may have to wear their hair a certain way. When going to certain schools, they

make students do certain things. Their hairstyles are one of them. They expect their students to

look and act a certain way. Although it is good to look well kept, students should not have to go

through struggles just to do so everyday that they go to school. They should be able to do and

think of what could help them best. They should not have to manscape at such a young age.

Many students should be able to keep their hair how they want it. Who would have ever knew

that facial hair or other parts of hair on young people’s body, had to be cut off if it was showing

too much. The rule should be on if the student wants to cut their hair off, not that they have to.

For example, in the article by Mark Oppenheimer, he states, “For the most part, the appearance

of students was governed only by the nagging of parents (“Get a haircut!”); informational norms

(T-shirts were for athletics, not the school day); and deference to teachers and principals, who

had wide discretion to tell a boy that he looked like a hoodlum, or tell a girl that her hemline was

inappropriately short” (Oppenheimer 8).To know that parents can even nag about the hair

situation is something else. Children should be able to have their hair however the way they want

it. Not everyone is the same. Most people might not even think any type of way about how their

hair look because it is something so small. Although, if there is being complaints to a child about

their appearance, they can always fix it themselves if they feel it is necessary to. If they decide

not to fix it, then that is them. If they do fix it, then they do. The decision should solely be theirs

and no one else’s. Therefore, this is how another con, is tagging along with school uniforms,

some boys may have to get their haircut and ladies may have to wear their hair a certain way.

Following, an university in Thailand should not have to wear uniform on a daily basis.

The school uniform for them has been around for a while. They are obligated to wear what is
given to them that they receive. They are not allowed to wear their own clothes from home to

school. They likely change after the school day is over. Many of the Thailand universities follow

the same policy. Colleagues are essentially too old to not be able to make their own decisions on

what they want to wear. They should really be able to do as they please. They are getting older

and need more experiences to life. Their clothes can absolutely play a huge role in those

experiences. In the book by Sasanun Bunyawanich, from the sinclair database. she states,

“Students’ experiences of wearing the uniform concerning power relation among Thai university

students inside and outside their universities, and students’ experiences regarding their personal

development and how the university dress code affects them” (Bunyawanich 1). Wearing

uniforms especially when the people are older can affect their development even more. Being

stuck with the same clothing can be difficult to grasp. Challenges may come with it. All types of

adversity may come with it as well. Therefore, this is why an university in Thailand should not

have to wear uniform on a daily basis.

Next, school uniforms are a way to restrict freedom and a lost of identity to those who

have to wear it. Students not being able to wear what they want can play a huge role in their

future. I can affect them by not knowing who they really are and what they really like. The kids

could even lose their identity. Everyone looking the same will make them think they are all the

same. Then as they get older, they will not know who they really are and their interest. It could

be hard to gain those things back. For example, in the book by Daniela Popa, from the Sinclair

Database, she says, “The boys consider that the school uniform is a symbol of restricting student

freedom to a greater extent than girls. The study conveys current empirical evidence to support

the policy of adopting the school uniform” (Popa 1). Boys seems to be more affected to the

school uniform than the girls. This may be due to because they want to be able to wear more,
rather than the girls not caring too much about it. The boys feel they can not be free to express

themselves on who they really are. They are being obligated to wear something they may not

even want to. This could make them feel as if they have no say whatsoever. As a result, this is

how school uniforms are a way to restrict freedom and a lost of identity to those who have to

wear it.

On the opposite side, others may claim that school uniforms improves kids behavior. If

kids can not wear what they want, it could help the fact that they can not flash everything they

have. Others might not have the same thing as them. The kid with more things could flash it in

another kids face and make them feel bad. This could cause a lot of commotion to both sides. For

example, in the article by Sarah Kuta, she says, “School uniforms are more than just clothes--

they also help keep students focused and on task in the classroom, argues Angi Jones, principal

at St. Mary Catholic School in East Dubuque, Illinois. St. Mary requires students to wear

uniforms everyday except for the last Friday of each month. Jones says there is a noticeable

difference in students’ behavior on free-dress days. “On those out-of-uniform days, behavior

problems increase, and teasing, bullying, etc. are worse,” she says” (Kuta 2). Although it could

prevent bullying, teasing, etc. it likely will still occur even if it was not a thing. People will bully

anyways. Depending on what type of person they are. The clothes people wear has nothing to do

with people’s attitudes. To conclude, this is how on the opposite side, others may claim that

school uniforms improves kids behavior.

Another point on the opposite side is school uniforms helps improve test scores and helps

the students attention span. Many believe that uniforms makes student spend less time on

worrying about what they are wearing and more about their school work during school. They

also believe that their attention in school will be more than they would have been with no
uniform. There were statistics that showed when school uniforms were first established, test

scores went up. Their attention to the teachers went up as well. The researchers made it seem as

if school uniforms were the best option for the children. It observant that it helped tremendously

towards what was occuring. In the video by Anthony Carboni, sponsored by seeker, he talked

about how when uniforms were first established there were actual statistics of students having

better test scores and great behavior. Not everything was sought as unfair in having to wear

uniforms. Also bullying was way less when they were established. With this evidence, it could

still be invalid. Uniforms might have helped before, but now society has changed. No matter if it

is uniform or not, students will still think the way they think and act the way they act. What they

wear does not determine how smart or dumb they are. For it to work at first is amazing. But now

that new generations have adjusted to what has occured with school uniforms, it no longer

matters. So why not just let students wear what they want as freedom? Furthermore, this is how

on the opposite side, school uniforms helps improve test scores and helps the students attention

span.

To conclude all statements, this is why uniforms should not be established in schools

because it could take away from many children and their choices. This could affect them in the

long run. The children could grow up not knowing who they really are. Although wearing

Uniforms may have some pros to them, it still turns out to be the same in the end. Bullying could

stop for a second, then start again once everyone is use to uniforms. Having freedom should not

be a thought. Freedom should be reality, and being able to wear whatever a person wants is apart

of that. Especially in school. Th students mindsets will only make them stronger. This starts with

making their own decisions. Their own creativity should be expressed. If this was a parent or

guardian of someone others may know, how would they probably feel about the lack of freedom?
 Students do not like the idea of school

uniforms. They want to be able to wear whatever they want. The decisions they make should

solely be on them, and not others. Having to wear the same thing everyday can make others lose

their identity and creativity. This could all be because of the school's decisions.
 Works Cited

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in Establishing Unity, Hierarchy, and Conformity at Thai Universities.” Journal of

Education and Training Studies, vol. 6, no. 7, Jul. 2018, pp. 28-37.

Carboni, Anthony. “Do School Uniforms Help Students Learn?” YouTube, uploaded by

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March 2019.

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Kuta, Sarah. “The Pros and Cons of a School Uniform Policy.” School Leaders Now, 17

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Accessed 1 March 2019.

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