Mandatory School Uniforms

While some students and parents dislike the idea of strict dress codes, mandatory school uniforms ensure that every child looks alike, possibly leveling the bar when it comes to income and status levels.

Is a uniform the right choice?

No matter what side of the fence you stand on in the school uniform debate, it simply cannot be argued against that uniforms obviously benefit children who are made fun of or harassed for their clothing choices, whether that be because of improper dressing, generic or hand me down threads, or personal lack of style. School aged children are known to be competitive with one another, forming cliques with others who look and dress like themselves. For those students who stand out for being different, school can be the root of emotional turmoil and depression. Mandatory school uniforms are a wonderful way to prevent harassment and negative distractions in an educational facility, thus increasing a child's chances of fitting in and making friends, regardless of his or her family's income level and accessibility to designer clothing brands.

While there are a few negative aspects to enforced school uniforms, there are plenty of positive reasons to go the route of unified dressing. Here's a look at a few reasons more and more parents and school districts are seeking this option:

• Less distractions: Whether it be revealing tops or short inseams, clothing can certainly play a distraction in a public environment. Children often spend a large portion of their day analyzing the attire of their classmates and friends. T-shirts with funny logos, torn jeans, graffiti shoes, and short skirts can turn any hour of lecture time into a distraction away from studies. If your child is constantly losing focus in school or is causing distraction to his or her peers' learning environment due to clothing choices, it may be a benefit to go the uniformed route.
• Less violence: Unfortunately, violence is no longer unheard of on school campuses. Whether it takes place amongst gang members or those isolated children known as loners, clothing can stir violence and hostility amongst classmates, especially when certain colors or style of dress is worn.
• Prevents promiscuous behavior: Many young girls use clothing as an outlet for expressing their femininity and sexual curiosity. For those that engage in sexual activities, a school uniform may help to prevent their promiscuous behavior, while ensuring the opposite sex does not view them as a sex symbol, which may also help to prevent sexual abuse crimes.
• Fitting in: Whether it is low income or just lack of fashion and style, many school aged children find they never fit in with their peers. School uniforms help unify the student body, removing any economic discrimination.

While the benefits of school uniforms far outweigh the negatives, there are a few aspects of school dressing that may impact the student body.

• Lack of expression: School years are the climatic point of finding one's identity. When kids are limited to uniforms, a lack of expression is the end result. If your children are free-spirited, creative, or need to self-express themselves in order to feel confident, uniforms may impede their happiness in a school environment.
• Rebellion: Once you take away the freedom of expression, many kids turn to other outlets to mark their identity. Whether it be drugs, alcohol, sexual activities, theft, or violence, children may use these negative patterns as a way of controlling their controlled environment.

Before enrolling your child in a uniformed school, take the time to discuss the benefits and negatives with them to see how they feel about the aspect of a unified school image. Once kids understand all the benefits and ease of dressing a uniform provides, they will more than likely embrace the change, and look forward to expressing themselves out of school, while enhancing their learning environment and focusing on their education.

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