School Uniforms

School uniforms should not be an option in public schools as they do not allow students to be themselves. Two public high schools in East Tennessee, one with and one without a school uniform policy, were compared. The results of the study showed that a school uniform policy had a positive significant effect on improving the graduation rate of a rural school in East Tennessee when compared to a school of similar demographics.(Hayden, Erik) However there was no significant effect on student attendance or suspension rates. Schools uniforms have been a concerning topic for many people for multiple reasons but most commonly to lower the percentage of bullying, distractions of students, spending for families, percentage of school crimes, sexual offenses, and fights between students.
Some parents and educators say that uniforms help students focus on academics instead of fashion. Others believe that kids should have the freedom to choose what they wear to school. How can an outfit distract students other than the fact that it may bring up casual conversation in the hallway or maybe even the at the beginning of a class? School uniforms should not be required in public schools, even after considering both sides of the issue. Many schools have the option to require students to wear school uniforms. The question is will requiring students to wear school uniforms help prevent bullying or is that even their goal? When this topic is brought up in a public scenario, many people think they know what everyones opinion on this topic is, but are they right? Bullies are smart, clothing is an obvious symbol of who is rich and poor but there are other ways bullies can find to verbally or physically abuse students. In schools one of the most important things to students is sense of style. The more stylish clothing you have the more popular and noticed you will most likely be. But with school uniforms there would be no discrimination based on what you are wearing. Everyone would be noticed the same by wearing school uniforms. The clothes students wear usually put a picture as to who you are and who you socialize with. In schools all students have the clique they belong to, not all cliques dress alike obviously. School uniforms make it a little hard on students because students can not tell what personality or characteristics someone has by wearing a school uniform. School uniforms require students to open themselves up to everyone so they can get to know people instead of just basing other students off of their sense of style. School uniforms in this sake allow students to be more open and outgoing with everyone around them in a school atmosphere. Granted most students nowadays are very open with most everyone, until it comes to outcasters, or people who cause students to outcast themselves. Another problem with students being allowed to choose what they wear to school everyday is what their outfits promote, such as drugs, alcohol or even violence. In most schools mini skirts, short shorts, spaghetti strap tank tops, and halter tops are not allowed (Jeffords, Shawn). School uniforms would eliminate the problem of students trying to get away with wearing this type of clothing to school, or school related events. Uniforms also helps keep students less distracted they are not so worried about what they are wearing because everyone else is wearing the same. School uniforms also eliminated the need for students to one up each other with fashionable clothing and easily identifies trespassers on school property. There will always be distractions. Kids should be encouraged and trusted to focus on their schoolwork, or they will never learn to be responsible. Uniforms are in no way free, if families are spending money they should be able to chose the clothes they purchase instead of being forced to buy clothes they are not all that interested in. Uniforms also interfere with self expression. Requiring uniforms sends a message that all kids are the same, if schools want kids to be themselves they should not force all students to dress alike. Students have even been trying to compete with their so called best friends, trying to find out how much the other is spending on their the newest, coolest fashion statement. Students have even began losing friendship due to the newest, best fashion styles that have been coming out lately.
In many schools the topic dress code is brought up numerous of times throughout the school year. Students have shown that it is hard to follow through with the schools chosen dress code. Many people argue that school uniforms would help with performance levels in school academics. Could they be true? A study done by two different high schools showed that a school uniform policy had a positive significant on improving the graduation rate of a rural school in East Tennessee when compared to a school with similar demographics. (Why Public Schools Sould Not have School Uniforms)
School uniforms have been known to reduce many things such as school crimes, sexual defense, and fights between students. A article stated that school uniforms have decreased school crimes by 36 %, sexual offenses fell 74%, and fights between students dropped 51%.(Gouge, William) Students have the right to feel safe and protected while they are at school. If students still do not feel safe with policy of having school uniforms, they are not going to help in the long run. Students do indeed have the right to feel safe but with the exceptions that school uniforms actually help I believe not. When and student comes home from school terrified to say the least, the first thing they are going to tell their parents is not going to be I was scared, someone without a school uniform walked on to our campus. Parent is mostly likely thinking sweety that could have been me. All in all students do have 100% right to feel safe and protected at all times.
With school crimes, sexual offenses and fights between students percentages dropping, students are beginning to feel more safe at school, would school administration want their students to feel as safe as possible or be a little terrified? Many people will argue with this question. Some people will say being a little terrified once in a while helps students become stronger and more confident with issues dealing with this topic, and builds character. So would say no student should have to feel terrified every time they walk on to their school campus. Students should feel safe knowing that none of their classmates are going to throw a punch at them, that they will not witness murders or suicides, and that they will not witness sexual offenses taking places on their school campus.
Trespassers would easily be noticed walking on to a school campus that requires school uniforms, because school administration knows students families and who they are. No one is capable of sneaking onto a campus due to the school uniform policy. School uniforms are greatly used for security purposes especially during these times because of how many school shootings that have been happening throughout the last few years.
The study done by the two Tennessee schools, provides information that says the studies that have been done in that area have shown no improvement in any of the areas mentioned. Protection, one upping another student, percentage of school crimes, sexual offenses, and fights between students.