Should school uniforms be mandatory in high schools?

School uniforms should be mandatory in high schools. They provide more focused and togetherness throughout the school day for students. Children often feel less social pressure when everyone in the school dresses the same way. Students who can not be fashionable due to limited family finances are made to feel more comfortable among their peers. In addition, the gang violence and intruders entering the school will be reduced.

Wearing of school uniforms affects student’s perception of school climate. Students feel as though they are part of a team, and connected to their school and that they fit in. 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. This sense of togetherness can convey to the public that schools are well managed because the students are under control due to their dress. 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. They create social harmony due to the uniform look of similarly clothed students. Moreover, 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.

With the high cost of clothing today, school uniforms can lift a financial burden from students’ families. The cost of designer clothing, and footwear, is expensive. 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 three 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. 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 will take school more seriously than before the uniform code.

The problematic issue of gangs and school violence has been overwhelming. With respect to gang-related clothing, gang members frequently roam streets near schools and often enter schools.Hence, the color of clothing that students wear can result in their becoming targets of intentional or unintentional violence. In addition, the style of clothing popular among children today arose from the clothing of inner-city gangs, who have worn baggy pants and oversized shirts that could hide weapons and drugs from law enforcement officials. With such clothing glamorized by music videos and television sitcoms, more children wear similar styles of baggy, oversized shirts and pants to school. Such clothing can become a means of transporting weapons or drugs into school and thus increase school violence. Furthermore, when school uniforms will be introduced the gang violence will decrease and make it more difficult for unwelcome outsiders to infiltrate the school grounds.

School uniforms eliminate a source of distraction and differences among students, reducing conflicts, bullying, ostracism and crime. Uniforms also raise students’ self esteem and pride in the school community. They are an expression of preparedness and a kind of professionalism, which contribute to better scholastic performance. Families save money dressing their children for school. And finally, uniforms contribute to lower rates of substance abuse and gang activity, because, gang members don’t wear plaid.