By Delilah Rippee
Wearing uniforms in school has always been a controversial topic, because 18.8% of public schools and 57% of private schools in the U.S. require students to attend in uniform. There are reasons behind the choice of uniforms and no uniforms. Both sides have their pros and cons.
Although uniforms may seem boring and restrictive, there are many reasons as to why schools think they are necessary to enforce. For starters, when everyone is coming to school in the same uniform everyday, it creates a sense of belonging amongst students, because it is something they all have in common. Common uniforms also reduce the potential for students to be bullied based on things like their personal styles or physical appearance. While bullying in itself is a bigger issue and should be dealt with on its own, it is important to do anything that can help reduce these occurrences. The peer pressure of fitting into a certain style or aesthetic is eliminated, and students do not have to be pressured into wearing anything that may make them uncomfortable. Uniforms can do both students and teachers big favors by reducing distractions so students can focus on learning, rather than what a classmate may be wearing or their own outfits. One of the bigger reasons why uniforms are important is they are a way of looking out for a student’s safety. When the uniforms worn by students are distinguishable and unvaried, it becomes easier to identify students at a glance and identify who may not be a student. This increases student safety on campus and outside of school.
However, not every school agrees that uniforms are the way to go, since there are some downsides to enforcing this rule. Many people feel that forcing students to wear uniforms to school causes them to conform rather than encouraging individuality, and can lead them to think and act as a group instead of as individuals. Not allowing students to wear clothing they want and are comfortable in restricts their freedom of expression. Clothing and fashion are a big part of expression. It is for this reason that so many fashion designers consider themselves to be artists and view fashion as art. It is freedom to show who you are and what you like on the outside. Students are more likely to be comfortable in clothing that they have selected and feel best reflects them. When that freedom is taken away it can leave children feeling less sense of self and more like they are trying to be like everyone else instead of being themselves. It’s not just that. Most students are opposed to wearing uniforms and would rather dress freely at school. Kalin Wildermuth from Benicia High School says, “Not only do school uniforms restrict people’s rights and not allow them to be who they are, but school uniforms can often be sexualized and people may be very uncomfortable wearing them in certain settings.” I found while asking people around school that she’s not the only one who feels that way. Dom Louro and Andrew Murphy also say that “we want to be able to express ourselves and wear what makes us feel good”.
There are plenty of reasons why uniforms can be viewed as a good or bad thing, but at the end of the day, it all depends on what the school’s values are and what they enforce.
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