Benefits of School Uniforms

I recall George Carlin, comedian and scathing social commentator, voicing his disapproval of school uniforms. He quoted saying, "Isn't it enough, they want us to think alike, he said, now they want us to look alike too?". Anyway, I thought he had a valid point. I still think he does.

Children are sent to school to learn new skills that are necessary in order to ensure a bright future for them. A school is like their second home where they are thoroughly disciplined throughout their learning years and they come out as bright and responsible individuals. So the first step in this direction, is by wearing a school uniform, that will put to rest any issues regarding discipline, influence by peers, violence among children, and will instead shape them to be creditworthy and concentrate entirely on studies.

On the flip side, many parents have expressed concerns about:

• School uniforms taking away students' freedom of expression and encroaching on their personal rights
• Having religious dress codes foisted on their non-religious or different-religion children
• Not having their religious dress codes followed or respected enough
• Trying to get their children to make a political or moral statement
• Expenses involved in purchasing the required uniform and accessories

On the other hand, though, there are some definite advantages of wearing school uniforms as well.

Pros of School Uniforms

• A school uniform makes it easier for the school authorities to recognize students belonging to their school. Authorities can also make out if someone doesn't belong to a school, if someone just manages to sneak in; unless, of course, they go through all the trouble of buying a uniform that fits!

• A school uniform also saves the school administrators from having to 'police' what the students wear. There are no daily battles regarding what's appropriate to wear or not for school.

• A school uniform apparently also saves students from putting their fashion tastes before their learning requirements. When they don't have to spend time wondering what to wear and how to make a fashion statement, they can devote more time to getting educated. This in turn, lifts their academic performance.

• Wearing the same type of dress reduces social snobbery and peer pressure in educational institutions. It is also supposed to reduce incidents of bullying and theft. How do you pick on someone for wearing the same dress as yourself? Why would you steal a pair of shoes you both have and can afford? Thus there are fewer arguments, and following a dress code plays more of a balancing act.

• School uniforms cramp the style of gang members. They have to recognize each other by names and faces instead of flaunting aggressively painted jackets, T-shirts with obscene messages, clunky jewelry, and things like that. Instead of 'my gang' and 'your gang', they also have to think in terms of 'our school'. It's a hard life. On the brighter side, it helps them to live another day and go on to survive in college.

• A school uniform can instill a sense of discipline and community feeling. This naturally reduces incidents of violence. Students can come to school without worrying about personal safety. Teachers don't have to double as guards, and can concentrate on teaching.

• By wearing a uniform dress code, students can find other means to showcase their creativeness.

• At a very young age, school uniforms instill the spirit of teamwork and one feels proud to be a part of a school, if he/she represents the school for any occasion.

• Most importantly, uniforms are cost-efficient, as parents do not have to spend on clothes for their children, thus benefitting them.

So, to sum it up, by wearing uniforms, students appear to belong to a single community, they require less time to spend on deciding what to wear and it prevents wrong conduct, thus inculcating discipline in them. Hence, wearing school uniforms seems to be a pretty convincing and stimulating strategy.