Do you think that all public schools should require children to wear uniforms?

Question

In my former hometown the public schools required uniforms. I personally like this idea very much. Fewer dress code violations which require attention and time, less distraction, cheaper for the parents, less discrimination between the "haves" and the "have nots", everyone is the "same".

I am all for a childs need to express themself and I understand how important it is for them to be individuals. However, I feel there is plenty of time outside of school for them to do this.

How do you feel about required uniforms for all public schools?

Answer 1

NO!! I went to a private school for a year. It sucked horribly at least wearing the uniforms did. It was my freshman year of highschool too.  Polo shirts should be outlawed at least if you have to wear them with cacky pants. I'm not rich and I don't have many designer clothes. Shielding your kid from discrimination of clothing while they're in school isn't going to do anything. They're still going to go out into the world and face all the c**p out there so why make it worse by forcing them to wear a collared shirt and some very ugly navy pants. Sure some kids like it more power to ya. If you've grown up in a private school I guess you wouldn't be too bothered by it. I'm just glad I'm already graduated. Because before long middle schools and Highschools all over will probably be wearing uniforms and its going to suck.  Last time I checked this is America and we are supposed to be free so why the heck can't we be free to wear what we want and not the samething as johnny joe down the block at the private school.

Answer 2

I think uniforms should be in place. It would really make a huge difference...

Answer 3

h**l yes!

Kids can "express themselves" after 3 pm and on weekends

My child is going from private to public this fall and i will miss those uniforms most of all, I am dreading going "back to school" shopping and fighting over clothes in the early am-organized or not. Uniforms are a no brainer!

Answer 4

I wish...

Answer 5

I like it but then again I don't....I like it because of the reasons you stated...there will be fewer fights because of the stupid gang color BS going around lately and the shirts with crude comments and pictures on it and such....but the fact is the uniforms have gone up in price lately since a ton of schools require this dress code now,which in a certain aspect it would be cheaper to buy regular clothes instead of uniforms. I also do not like how some schools here in Indiana are going about the uniform dress code. They are as stated : White,Navy Blue,or Red dress shirts(which are 2 of the "gang" colors that started this whole thing right there),Khaki or Black dress pants or Jumpsut for girls(the dresses that go over the shirts) White or black socks,SOLID colored shoes,shirts MUST be tucked in at all times,Shoes must remain tied,and the boys MUST wear belts. I do not like this for the simple fact that my daughter will start kindergarten in a year and have ALL these Rules that she must abide by and I don't think a 5 yr old should be punished for having a shirt untucked or not having solid colored shoes or have pink on their socks...its wrong!

My nephew got threatened to be suspended(he is 5 yrs old) because he didn't wear a belt and his shirt was not ALWAYS tucked in and his socks were blue instead of black...how ridiculous is that...

I am all for the uniforms but this BS about the belt shoes,socks and all that is stupid for such a yojng child to abide by day in and day out...they need to loosen up a bit on that

Answer 6

I don't think UNIFORMS should be required, but there should at least be a dress code that everyone could afford (if there are still families that cannot afford it the school should offer assistance). With a dress code there are a few more options so parents could purchase items that were a bit cheaper if they needed to, and the same benefits would apply.

I go to a private Catholic high school with a dress code--Land's End pants, either khaki or black pants and a white oxford shirt with the school logo. However, our supplier is really expensive and just a week's worth of clothes cost me $400 (5 pants and 5 shirts). Next year we're screwed, we're supposed to have shirts, ties, and blazers with suit pants...

Answer 7

i do think that a private school should be different than a public, i went to a public school to get away from the uniforms. its a free country and being that its public i feel that i should have been able to wear what ever i wanted when i was in school. so no, i dont think uniforms is fair.

Answer 8

i definitely agree with you.

some schools are so s****. the kids who don't have the latest get picked on, or looked down upon.

couldn't agree with what you said more, and i wish more schools would realize this.

Answer 9

As a parent, I think it would be easier for the kids and the school to deal with.  There would be less issues about clothing not meeting dress codes, etc and the teachers and administration could concentrate more on education.

But when I was in high school they tried to initiate this.  The reaction was, least to say, bad.  The kids mutilated the uniforms (just your average P.E. uniforms, not even school uniforms) and did everything to finagle their way out of it.  Eventually the school gave up.

I've went to private school with uniforms, and the kids threw fits daily, some violated the dress code openly, it's disastrous.  

As a parent I'm all for them.  But in reality I know there are places that they just don't work.  I'm sure that some schools wouldn't have a problem in the world with their students if they had to wear uniforms.  

But I know that where I'm from they probably won't ever be put into effect.

Answer 10

When I was in high school and my school district considered it, I hated it.  I liked being able to express myself with my clothing.

As an adult, I think I like the idea.  For the reasons you mentioned.  

HOWEVER, it requires a tax levy to be passed to help provide uniforms for the people that cant afford them.  At the time, my school district would not pass the extra taxes.

Answer 11

i'm old.

it never came up when i was a kid.

and i neither like telling people what to do, nor being told myself what to do.

but today, things are really different.

what with guys imitating prison pants,

and (some) girls not wearing enough to make a barbie doll decent, it's probably a pretty good idea.

i'm not trying to suppress individualism.

i am trying to suppress some kids abuse of it.

keep in mind, after school, on weekends, in the summer, etc, they can wear whatever they want.

in school, clothes shouldn't be an issue.

as for the "that's not what life is like" get over it.

in many cases, that is what it's like.

not as strictly, but many corporations have dress standards, either written, or unwritten.

Answer 12

I went to private school and wore a uniform for six years.  I've been going to public school for five years.  The biggest thing I miss about my old school is my uniform.

I've spent tons of money on school clothes and countless amounts of time picking out outfits for school.  I miss the days where I could just roll out of bed and throw on my uniform without people judging me for what I wear or criticizing me for wearing the same sweatshirt in the same two week period.

I'm all for uniforms.

Answer 13

If your child is getting distracted because of someones outfit in class, they have bigger problems.

People discriminate regardless.   Miss fancy pants will still wear her Chanel earrings, etc ..

Sure there is time to express themselves outside of school, but school is where they are most of the time!  That IS where they are social!

"lose all of the bullying", you have to be kidding me.

Answer 14

I wouldn't have wanted to wear a uniform when I was in school.  I wouldn't want to force my daughter to wear one either when she is in school.  As far as the kids not wearing appropriate clothes (showing too much skin, etc), it is the parents' responsibility to monitor their children.  I couldn't get away with that when I was in school.

Answer 15

My kids school just took a vote for the upcoming school year. I was on the fence, but voted yes. I thought it would be easier to shop for and get my 3 kids ready in the morning. It was a close vote, but more parents voted no.

Answer 16

I hate the idea. My husband loves it, though. My daughters are super girly and fashionable and they pick out their clothes and accessories themselves. They would complain like mad. LOL

My husband likes the idea because of *clothing competition* among teens, especially. While I get his point- I still like the fact that my children can express themselves in some way.

Wouldn't it be weird if all careers and colleges made everyone wear uniforms (yes, I'm aware some do) but if everywhere did this, there would be NO individuality.

Answer 17

I didn't realize how much I missed uniforms until I got out of the Army! It was so easy to know what I was going to wear, not to have to worry about the "right" accessories. As long as it was worn to military standards, it was "right". (I had plenty of opportunity to "express myself" off duty, as students do out of school.)

Now I have to get up earlier, or spend time the night before, just to get ready for work the next day. It's a pain.

Uniforms ARE easier and with the stress these kids are under, a little easier is a little better. Go for it!

Answer 18

I'm all for it, but it should be left up to the local board of education. Also, think about how "the haves" will simply begin collecting name brand watches, shoes ... little things like that to distinguish themselves. Higher end "school uniforms" that are similar, yet made with higher quality material would also become more popular.

Just my 2 cents ~ Jeff

Answer 19

in Australia all school require uniforms. Whether they are private or state schools. They are a great thing. Everyone has the same, no brands to keep up with, and kids look better as a school when they are dressed in uniform. it helps them to take pride in their school

Answer 20

NO, THATS THE STUPIDEST THING EVER !

KIDS SHOULD BE ABLE TO WEAR WHAT THEY WANT .

UNLESS ITS S****y OR SOMETHING .

WHICH IS WHY THEY HAVE DRESS CODES !

Answer 21

I love the idea. It puts everyone on an equal playing field. You loose all of the bullying, and stuff from kids that don't approve of others by appearance. Also it just looks better, neat and clean. I'm all for it!

Answer 22

The "let's make everyone the same" sort of Oprah Winfrey approach to life will only cause these kids to face some of life's most basic lessons at a much later point in their own lives.  It starts them out behind the curve.  Everyone is NOT the same, and to teach them that the world is equal in all things at all times is doing them a great injustice.

You may not like this answer, but you know it's true.

Answer 23

I AM 13 AND WEAR UNIFORMS TO SCHOOL. I FIND IT A LOT SIMPLER AND CHEAPER TO WEAR UNIFORMS. I NEVER WORRY ABOUT WHAT I AM WEARING THE NEXT DAY AND WE GET OCCASIONAL DRESS DOWN DAYS SO IT'S NO BIGGY.

KIDS ARE CRUEL AND CAN BE REALLY CRUEL TO PEOPLE ABOUT THERE CLOTHING.

Answer 24

No! It's a stop-gap solution and doesn't do anything to solve the real problem and that is lack of discipline!

Answer 25

Yes I think its a great idea. In Australia where I live its compulsory for all schools (weather private or public) for children to wear a uniform. I think its good because then you don't get kids whos parents can afford all the latest clothes/shoes picking on those less furtunate, everyone wheres the same thing. In highschool we had uniform free days every now and then which was a great way to get out of out boring uniforms. Also if the students go on field trips or excursions they should wear uniforms too just in case one of the students gets lost then other people can see the school name on their clothes and notify the school.