school uniforms should not be banned essay

Should Students Have to Wear School Uniforms?

• History of School Uniforms

Traditionally favored by private and parochial institutions , school uniforms are being adopted by US public schools in increasing numbers. According to a 2020 report, the percentage of public schools that required school uniforms jumped from 12% in the 1999-2000 school year to 20% in the 2017-18 school year. School uniforms were most frequently required by elementary schools (23%), followed by middle (18%), and high schools (10%).

The first recorded use of standardized dress in education may have been in England in 1222, when the Archbishop of Canterbury mandated that students wear a robe-like outfit called the “ cappa clausa .” The origin of the modern school uniform can be traced to 16th Century England, when the impoverished “charity children” attending the Christ’s Hospital boarding school wore blue cloaks reminiscent of the cassocks worn by clergy, along with yellow stockings. As of Sep. 2014, students at Christ’s Hospital were still wearing the same uniform, and according to the school it is the oldest school uniform still in use. When Christ’s Hospital surveyed its students in 2011, 95% voted to keep the traditional uniforms. Read more history…

Pro & Con Arguments

Pro 1 School uniforms deter crime and increase student safety. In Long Beach, California, after two years of a district-wide K-8 mandatory uniform policy, reports of assault and battery in the district’s schools decreased by 34%, assault with a deadly weapon dropped by 50%, fighting incidents went down by 51%, sex offenses were cut by 74%, robbery dropped by 65%, possession of weapons (or weapon “look-alikes”) decreased by 52%, possession of drugs went down by 69%, and vandalism was lowered by 18%. [ 64 ] One year after Sparks Middle School in Nevada instituted a uniform policy, school police data showed a 63% drop in police log reports, and decreases were also noted in gang activity, student fights, graffiti, property damage, and battery. A peer-reviewed study found that schools with uniform policies had 12% fewer firearm-related incidents and 15% fewer drug-related incidents than schools without uniforms. [ 25 ] [ 69 ] School uniforms also prevent students from concealing weapons under baggy clothing, make it easier to keep track of students on field trips, and make intruders on campus more visible. Frank Quatrone, superintendent in the Lodi school district of New Jersey, states, “When you have students dressed alike, you make them safer. If someone were to come into a building, the intruder could easily be recognized.” [ 6 ] [ 38 ] Further, school uniforms create a level playing field among students, reducing peer pressure and bullying. When all students are dressed alike, competition between students over clothing choices and the teasing of those who are dressed in less expensive or less fashionable outfits can be eliminated. Research by the Schoolwear Association found that 83% of teachers thought “a good school uniform… could prevent bullying based on appearance or economic background.” Arminta Jacobson, Founder and Director of the Center for Parent Education at the University of North Texas, states that uniforms put “all kids on the same playing field in terms of their appearance. I think it probably gives them a sense of belonging and a feeling of being socially accepted.” [ 5 ] [ 91 ] And, school uniforms prevent the display of gang colors and insignia, reducing gang activity and pressure to join on school property. The U.S. Department of Education’s Manual on School Uniforms stated that uniform policies can “prevent gang members from wearing gang colors and insignia at school” in order to “encourage a safe environment.” Educators in the Long Beach Unified School District have speculated that the sharp reduction in crime following the introduction of school uniforms was a result of gang conflicts being curbed. Osceola County, Florida School Board member Jay Wheeler reports that the county’s schools had a 46% drop in gang activity after their first full school year with a mandatory K-12 uniform policy. Wheeler explains that “clothing is integral to gang culture… Imagine a U.S. Armed Forces recruiter out of uniform trying to recruit new soldiers; the success rate goes down. The same applies to gang recruitment.” [35] [37] [67] [ 35 ] [ 37 ] [ 67 ] Read More

Pro 2 School uniforms keep students focused on their education, not their clothes. The National Association of Secondary School Principals states, “When all students are wearing the same outfit, they are less concerned about how they look and how they fit in with their peers; thus, they can concentrate on their schoolwork.” And a study by the University of Houston found that elementary school girls’ language test scores increased by about three percentile points after uniforms were introduced. [ 1 ] [ 15 ] Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton advocates school uniforms as a way to help students focus on learning: “Take that [clothing choices] off the table and put the focus on school, not on what you’re wearing.” Chris Hammons, Principal of Woodland Middle School in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, explains that uniforms “provide for less distraction, less drama, and more of a focus on learning.” [ 30 ] [ 70 ] Wearing uniforms also enhances school pride, unity, and community spirit, which can boost interest in education. A study of over 1,000 Texas middle school students found that students in uniform “reported significantly more positive perceptions of belonging in their school community than reported by students in the standard dress group.” Christopher P. Clouet, former Superintendent of the New London Public Schools in Connecticut, stated that “the wearing of uniforms contributes to school pride.” Arnold Goldstein, PhD, head of the Center for Research on Aggression at Syracuse University, points out that uniforms help troubled students feel they have the support of a community: “There is a sense of belonging.” Further, “teachers perceived an increase in the level of respect, caring, and trust… throughout the school” and “students are made to feel ‘important’ and as if they are a part of a team by wearing a uniform,” according to a peer-reviewed study. [ 3 ] [ 20 ] [ 31 ] [ 33 ] Plus, school uniforms can improve attendance and discipline. A study by researchers at the University of Houston found that the average absence rate for girls in middle and high school decreased by 7% after the introduction of uniforms, and behavioral problems lessened in severity. School uniforms make getting ready for school easier, which can improve punctuality. When uniforms are mandatory, parents and students do not spend time choosing appropriate outfits for the school day. According to a national survey, over 90% of US school leaders believe school uniform or formal dress code policies “eliminate wardrobe battles with kids,” make it “easier to get kids ready in the morning,” and create a “time saving in the morning.” Tracey Marinelli, Superintendent of the Lyndhurst School District in New Jersey, credits the district’s uniform policy for reducing the number of students running late. Lyndhurst student Mike Morreale agrees, stating that “it’s so much easier to dress than having to search for clothes and find out that something doesn’t match.” A Youngstown State University study of secondary schools in Ohio’s eight largest school districts found that school uniform policies improve rates of attendance, graduation, and suspension. [ 1 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 27 ] [ 32 ] During the first semester of a mandatory uniform program at John Adams Middle School in Albuquerque, NM, discipline referrals dropped from 1,565 during the first semester of the year prior to 405, a 74% decrease. Macquarie University (Australia) researchers found that in schools across the world where uniform policies are enforced, students “are more disciplined” and “listen significantly better, there are lower noise levels, and lower teaching waiting times with classes starting on time.” [ 68 ] [ 89 ] Wasted time in classrooms is reduced because uniform policies save valuable class time because they are easier to enforce than a standard dress code. Doris Jo Murphy, former Director of Field Experiences at the University of North Texas College of Education, states, “As an elementary assistant principal in two suburban districts, I can tell you that the dress code took up a great deal of my time in the area of discipline… I wished many times that we had uniforms because the issue of skirts or shorts being too short, and baggy jeans and pants on the boys not being pulled up as they needed to be, would have been a non-issue.” Lyndhurst, NJ school district superintendent Tracey Marinelli had a similar experience before a uniform policy was introduced: “Kids were spending time in the office because they were not fulfilling the dress code… That was time away from class.” [ 5 ] [ 6 ] Read More

Pro 3 Students’ legal right to free expression remains intact with mandatory school uniforms. The 1969 U.S. Supreme Court case Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, which concerned the wearing of black armbands to protest the Vietnam War, confirmed that students’ constitutional right to free speech “does not relate to regulation of the length of skirts or the type of clothing.” Wearing one’s own choice of shirt or pants is not the “pure speech” protected by the Constitution. [ 18 ] [ 28 ] In Canady v. Bossier Parish School Board (3-0, 2001), the US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a school board’s right to implement a mandatory uniform policy, stating that requiring uniforms for the purpose of increasing test scores and improving discipline “is in no way related to the suppression of student speech. [Students] remain free to wear what they want after school hours. Students may still express their views through other mediums during the school day.” [ 18 ] [ 29 ] Besides, students can still express their individuality in school uniforms by introducing variations and adding accessories. Junior high school student Amelia Jimenez wrote in her op-ed for the Pennsylvania Patriot-News that “contrary to popular belief, uniforms do not stop students from being themselves. Uniforms do not silence voices. Students can wear a variety of expressive items, such as buttons or jewlery.” Students can inject their personal style into their daily look with hairstyles, nail polish, and colorful accessories such as bags, scarfs, and fun socks. 54% of eighth-graders said they could still express their individuality while wearing school uniforms. [ 61 ] [ 62 ] [ 65 ] Further, students dressed in uniform are better perceived by teachers and peers. A 1994 peer-reviewed study found that students in uniform were perceived by teachers and fellow students as being more academically proficient than students in regular clothes. The study also found that students in uniform were perceived by peers and teachers as having higher academic potential, and perceived by peers as being better behaved. Students need to learn a balance between free expression and working within the confines of expectations. [ 4 ] Read More

Con 1 School uniforms do not stop bullying and can actually increase violent attacks. “Overall, there is no evidence in bullying literature that supports a reduction in violence due to school uniforms, explains Tony Volk, Associate Professor at Brock University. The oft-quoted improvements to school safety and student behavior in the Long Beach (CA) Unified School District from 1993-1995 may not have resulted from the introduction of school uniforms. The study in which the findings were published cautioned that “it is not clear that these results are entirely attributable to the uniform policy” and suggests that the introduction of new school security measures made at the same time may have been partly responsible. [ 64 ] [ 85 ] Further, a peer-reviewed study found that “school uniforms increased the average number of assaults by about 14 [per year] in the most violent schools.” A Texas Southern University study found that school discipline incidents rose by about 12% after the introduction of uniforms. And, according to the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Office of Education Evaluation and Management, fights in middle schools nearly doubled within one year of introducing mandatory uniforms. [ 14 ] [ 26 ] [ 72 ] [ 73 ] Discipline problems increase in part because school uniforms emphasize the socio-economic divisions they are supposed to eliminate. Most public schools with uniform policies are in low-income neighborhoods (47% of high-poverty public schools required school uniforms vs. 6% of low poverty schools), emphasizing the class distinctions that uniforms were supposed to eliminate. Even within one school, uniforms cannot conceal the differences between the “haves” and the “have-nots.” David L. Brunsma explains that “more affluent families buy more uniforms per child. The less affluent… they have one… It’s more likely to be tattered, torn and faded. It only takes two months [after a uniform policy is implemented] for socioeconomic differences to show up again.” [ 9 ] [ 23 ] Read More

Con 2 School uniforms do not improve attendance, academic preparedness, or exam results. A study that analyzed a national sample of 10th graders found “no effects of uniforms on absenteeism, behavioral problems (fights, suspensions, etc.), or substance use on campus” and “no effects” on “pro-school attitudes, academic preparedness, and peer attitudes toward school.” [14][66] Brunsma also found a “negative effect of uniforms on academic achievement,” and later found that uniforms were equally ineffective on elementary students and eighth graders. A peer-reviewed study found “no significant effects of school uniforms on performance on second grade reading and mathematics examinations, as well as on 10th-grade reading, mathematics, science, and history examinations… [I]n many of the specifications, the results are actually negative.” [ 2 ] [ 14 ] The problems arise because focusing on uniforms takes attention away from finding genuine solutions to problems in education. Spending time and effort implementing uniform policies detracts from more effective efforts to reduce crime in schools and boost student performance. More substantive improvements to public education could be achieved with smaller class sizes, tightened security, increased parental involvement, improved facilities, and other measures. Tom Houlihan, former Superintendent of Schools in Oxford, North Carolina, stated that school uniforms “are a distraction from focusing on systematic and fundamental transformation to improve our schools.” [ 12 ] [ 14 ] [ 42 ] That uniform policies are a distraction is most evident when we realize that the push for school uniforms is driven by commercial interests rather than educational ones. Americans spend around $1 billion on school uniforms every year. Retailer J.C. Penney Co. says school uniforms are “a huge, important business for us.” In one year alone, uniform company Lands’ End spent $3 million on marketing efforts directed at public schools and districts. Multiple studies used to promote the effectiveness of uniforms were partly funded by Lands’ End, and at least one of those studies is “so wholly flawed as to render itself useless,” according to David L. Brunsma. Reuters reported that retailers were “sensing their opportunity… stepping up competition in the uniform aisles and online. Walmart has set up ‘uniform shops’ or temporary boutiques within some stores.” [ 14 ] [ 32 ] [ 43 ] [ 44 ] [ 74 ] The commercialization of school uniforms in public schools also undermines the promise of a free education by imposing an extra expense on families. Parents already pay taxes, and they still need to buy regular clothes for their children to wear when they’re out of school and for dress-down days. The Children’s Commission on Poverty (UK) found that over “95% of parents on low incomes reported difficulties in meeting school-related costs,” including uniforms, despite their children attending tuition-free schools. Anderson, Indiana, parents Laura and Scott Bell argued against their children’s school uniform policy, saying the $641 for their children’s uniforms broke the guarantee of a free public education. In York County, Pennsylvania, a local NBC affiliate reported that some children were missing class because their families couldn’t afford to purchase the required uniforms. And, all of that is before the uniform policies themselves are examined. Most operate like dress codes and are classist, racist, and sexist. [ 10 ] [ 84 ] [ 94 ] Read More

Con 3 School uniforms restrict students’ freedom of expression. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees that all individuals have the right to express themselves freely. The U.S. Supreme Court stated in Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) that “it can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” [ 8 ] [ 28 ] In Sweden, a government agency, the School Inspectorate, determined that uniforms were a human rights violation because “dress and appearance should be considered an individual expression, decided by the students themselves.” Clothing choices are “a crucial form of self-expression,” according to the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada, which also states that “allowing students to choose their clothing is an empowering message from the schools that a student is a maturing person who is entitled to the most basic self-determination.” [ 7 ] [ 39 ] Uniforms take away the ability to use clothing as means of expressing support for social causes. Students at Friendly High School in Prince George’s County, MD, were not allowed to wear pink shirts to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month and 75 students received suspensions for breaking the school’s uniform restrictions. Removing these choices can delay the transition into adulthood. Adults make their own clothing choices and have the freedom to express themselves through their appearance. Denying children and teenagers the opportunity to make those choices may make them ill-prepared for the adult world. Adolescents see clothing choices as a means of identification, and seeking an identity is one of the critical stages of adolescence, according to the late developmental psychologist Erik Erikson. [ 11 ] [ 75 ] [ 76 ] [ 79 ] [ 80 ] When students have to wear the same outfits, rather than being allowed to select clothes that suit their body types, they can suffer embarrassment at school. Child and teen development specialist Robyn Silverman says that students, especially girls, tend to compare how each other looks in their uniforms: “As a body image expert, I hear from students all the time that they feel it allows for a lot of comparison… So if you have a body that’s a plus-size body, a curvier body, a very tall body, a very short body, those girls often feel that they don’t look their best.” A study by researchers at Arizona State University found that “students from schools without uniforms reported higher self-perception scores than students from schools with uniform policies.” Some students also find uniforms less comfortable than their regular clothes, which may not be conducive to learning. [ 21 ] [ 24 ] [ 75 ] Further, school uniforms promote conformity over individuality. Chicago, Illinois, junior high school student Kyler Sumter says: “They decide to teach us about people like Rosa Parks, Susan B. Anthony and Booker T. Washington… We learn about how these people expressed themselves and conquered and we can’t even express ourselves in the hallways.” Troy Shuman, a senior in Harford County, Maryland, said the introduction of a mandatory uniform policy to his school would be “teaching conformity and squelching individual thought. Just think of prisons and gangs. The ultimate socializer to crush rebellion is conformity in appearance. If a school system starts at clothes, where does it end?” [ 9 ] [ 60 ] In schools where uniforms are specifically gendered (girls must wear skirts and boys must wear pants), transgender, gender-fluid, and gender-nonconforming students can feel ostracized. Seamus, a 16-year-old transgender boy, stated, “sitting in a blouse and skirt all day made me feel insanely anxious. I wasn’t taken seriously. This is atrocious and damaging to a young person’s mental health; that uniform nearly destroyed me.” Late satirist George Carlin asked, “Don’t these schools do enough damage, making all these children think alike? Now they’re gonna get them to look alike, too?” [ 40 ] [ 86 ] Beyond student preference, parents should be free to choose their children’s clothes without government interference. One of the founders of the Wilson County (Louisiana) Parents Coalition, Richard Dashkovitz, states: “It’s time we let the government know that we are fed up with this. Quit dictating to us what my child should wear… [T]he government is intruding into our private lives, roles as parents and the lives of our children.” According to another parents’ rights group, Asserting Parental Rights — It’s Our Duty, mandatory uniform “policies trample parents’ right to raise children without government interference.” [ 10 ] [ 16 ] Read More

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Why Students Should Not Wear Uniforms: A Thoughtful Exploration with 9 Reasons, Studies and Statistics

At the core of the anti-uniform stance is the belief in the importance of individuality and personal growth during the formative years of schooling. Uniforms, often seen as a tool for homogenization, can stifle the self-expression and creativity that are essential in nurturing young minds. By enforcing a standard mode of dress, schools may inadvertently suppress the diversity and individuality that should be celebrated within educational environments. Moreover, the imposition of uniforms can raise significant financial burdens for families, create unnecessary resistance to authority, and overlook important cultural and religious considerations.

I am seething about this poor young girl who has been put in isolation because she’s not wearing a school uniform bought from the right place, school uniforms are far too expensive for a lot of people in this country in the most ridiculous you can get just as good from supermarke — James Whale (@THEJamesWhale) September 17, 2023

This article aims to explore these perspectives, offering insights into why the policy of mandatory school uniforms might be an outdated approach that overlooks the broader objectives of education and personal development. As we delve into this topic, we invite readers to reconsider the conventional wisdom on school uniforms and reflect on the potential benefits of a more flexible and inclusive approach to student attire.

Uniforms in Education: Educator and Industry Expert Perspectives

“I completely disagree with uniforms on every level. Supporters of uniforms say that they reduce bullying with regards to fashion, but there is a great deal of evidence that says it just pushes that bullying underground. Instead of being bullied about something superficial like the shirt you are wearing, bullies just go to the tried and true body image shaming. Glass? Overweight? Acne? Too many freckles? Hair colour? Too tall? Too short? What school administrators see is a surface level reduction in bullying, followed by them patting themselves on the back and ignoring the problem completely.” — Scooter Campbell , assistant language teacher

“While uniforms are supposed to build a sense of community, they may have the opposite effect. Fashion is one way that students express themselves, and that may be an important part of the school experience. When students can’t show their individuality, they may not feel like they belong as much. School uniforms may not be the most effective way to improve student behavior and engagement.” — Arya Ansari, assistant professor of human sciences at The Ohio State University

“I really don’t care whether or not a student’s shirt is tucked in, as long as they are learning. I don’t care whether or not a student has on the right belt, as long as I can’t see their underwear. I don’t care if a boy has earrings, facial hair, or painted nails, as long as he’s not painting them in my class. I don’t care if a girl has bright pink hair, a tank top, and ripped jeans, as long as bosoms and butt cheeks are covered and secure. I don’t like hoodies on heads in my classroom because it makes it too easy to hide Airpods, but I don’t care if the sweatshirt has a hood. As long as it’s not a top hat or sombrero that blocks the view of the students behind them, I don’t care if my students wear hats or beanies in my class.” — New Orleans Mom Guest Author

The video below explores the debate on the impact of school uniforms on academic performance. It delves into whether mandating uniforms in schools truly enhances students’ learning and overall academic success.

9 Reasons Why Students Should Not Wear Uniforms

1. expression of individuality.

In essence, the freedom to choose one’s attire is not just a matter of personal taste but a crucial element in nurturing confident, creative, and culturally aware individuals. Schools, by embracing this diversity in student clothing, can enhance the educational experience and better prepare students for the varied and diverse world beyond their gates.

2. Financial Burden

3. comfort and practicality.

The issue of comfort and practicality is a significant concern in the debate against mandatory school uniforms. Students spend a substantial part of their day in school, and their attire plays a crucial role in their overall comfort and ability to engage effectively in various school activities.

In essence, prioritizing comfort and practicality in student attire is not only a matter of convenience but also impacts their academic engagement and well-being. Allowing students to wear clothing that is comfortable, suited to a variety of activities, and appropriate for the weather can enhance their school experience, making them more receptive to learning and participating in school life.

4. Lack of Preparation for Real World

5. equality issues, 6. resistance to authority, 7. cultural and religious concerns, 8. psychological impact, 9. not environmentally friendly, addressing opposing perspectives on school uniforms, 1. uniforms save time, 2. uniforms improve attendance and discipline, 3. improving safety and security, useful resources, leave a comment cancel reply.

Persuasive Essay on School Uniforms Should Be Banned In School

Ever wake up for school and find yourself running late because your school clothes didn’t dry in time? School uniforms have been around since the 16th century and have always been compulsory in most Australian schools. However, this rule should be removed from the school system because it causes extreme discomfort, does not allow students any form of self-expression and it costs parents an arm and a leg to supply uniforms for their children. For these reasons, it is clear that uniforms should be banned in all schools. 

Wearing casual clothes during class time could have a positive impact on your learning by allowing comfort. So wearing regular clothes to school helps relieve parents having to wait for their child to get dressed. Uniforms can also be boring as everyone in the school is required to wear the same thing daily for 5 days a week here in Australia. Students constantly complain about being uncomfortable and they feel stifled while wearing them. Students will be able to concentrate much better in class if they wear comfortable outfits. Some students say they feel as if they are in prison for not being able to wear their own clothes. When wearing the same uniform for five days a week six hours a day which would equate to around 33 hours a week you wouldn’t be surprised that school uniforms would cause discomfort and for this reason, It should be banned.

They don’t allow us to express ourselves with our creativity towards an outfit that could save us a lot of time in the morning to arrive at school at a proper time. Students could possibly have different outfits for different days and be a lot more comfortable in those outfits and be pre-planned. Many students who oppose school uniforms believe that losing their ability to express themselves through clothes takes away their sense of self-identity. Students should be able to express themselves in their own unique way. Parents, children, and even many schools have stated that growing youngsters must learn to communicate. Wearing a simple uniform will not freely express us.

School uniforms are outrageously expensive. Uniforms are also said to assist learners in resisting peer pressure to wear trendy clothing. Uniforms, on the other hand, impose additional financial burdens on families who are already struggling to provide clothing for their children or who are struggling in general. By forbidding school uniforms, parents would also save money that could be used for more essential issues. Many parents have found it difficult to purchase school uniforms, which makes it likely to result in students being sent home for not wearing uniforms. On average, a parent spends around $600 each year on uniforms. With that amount of money, you could order a variety of casual clothes that will last you a lifetime of school clothing. Casual clothes are very washable; you can wash ten at once, whereas school uniforms are washed once a week and only one pair for most individuals.

Many current conflicts within school systems can be easily resolved or at least kept to a minimum with school uniforms. They have the opportunity to benefit our schools and students, so why not take advantage of this simple solution to our problems? It is absolutely essential that action be taken to make uniforms mandatory. They alleviate the insecurities that both children and parents experience. Uniforms allow students to shine and excel for who they are, not who they appear to be.

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Should school uniforms be compulsory? We asked five experts

Section Editor: Education

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Lecturer in Behaviour Management, University of Tasmania

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Whether schools should mandate a uniform is a controversial issue. Some believe wearing the same clothes smooths out inequality. Others see uniforms as authoritarian; believing them a symbol of repression, stifling freedom of thought and individuality.

We asked five experts from various fields whether school uniforms should be compulsory. Rather surprisingly, among the experts at least, there was little division.

Four out of five experts said no

Here are their detailed responses:

If you have a “yes or no” education question you’d like posed to Five Experts, email your suggestion to: [email protected]

Disclosures: Renae Barker is the Diocesan Advocate of the Anglian Diocese of Bunbury and advises the Bishop, Bishop in Council, Trustees and Synod on matters of Church law.

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Do uniforms make schools better?

by: Marian Wilde | Updated: March 1, 2024

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Schools, parents, and students frequently clash over the issue of regulating what students may and may not wear to school. These controversies often pegged to the culture war of the moment touch on everything from gender and sexuality to politics, race, and religion. In 2021, a group of about 50 students in Georgia protested their middle school’s dress code for being discriminatory against BIPOC girls by wearing t-shirts every Friday emblazoned with the words “sexist,” “racist,” and “classist.” In 2022, a fight between students, staff, and police officers broke out at a Pennsylvania high school when hats and hoodies were banned as part of a revision by the school board to the school’s dress code. And in 2023, two Michigan middle schoolers, via their mother, sued their school district after they were banned from wearing “Let’s Go Brandon” sweatshirts.

Are school uniforms the best solution to this contentious debate? If every student is wearing the same outfit, will a host of campus problems be solved? Researchers are divided over how much of an impact — if any — dress policies have on student learning. There are multiple studies with conflicting conclusions, plus books such as 2018’s The Debate About School Uniforms , but the argument wears on, with a list of pros and cons on each side.

Why do some public schools have uniforms?

In the 1980s, public schools were often compared unfavorably to Catholic schools. Noting the perceived benefit that uniforms conferred upon Catholic schools, some public schools decided to adopt a school uniform policy.

President Clinton provided momentum to the school uniform movement when he said in his 1996 State of the Union speech, “If it means teenagers will stop killing each other over designer jackets, then our public schools should be able to require their students to wear school uniforms.”

The pros and cons of school uniforms

According to proponents, school uniforms:.

• Help prevent gangs from forming on campus

• Encourage discipline

• Help students resist peer pressure to buy trendy clothes

• Help identify intruders in the school

• Diminish economic and social barriers between students

• Increase a sense of belonging and school pride

• Improve attendance

Opponents contend that school uniforms:

• Violate a student’s right to freedom of expression

• Are simply a Band-Aid on the issue of school violence

• Make students a target for bullies from other schools

• Are a financial burden for poor families

• Are an unfair additional expense for parents who pay taxes for a free public education

• Are difficult to enforce in public schools

Uniforms vs. dress codes

Schools and districts vary widely in how closely they adhere to the concept of uniformity.

What’s a dress code?

Generally, dress codes are more relaxed than uniform policies. Sometimes, however, dress codes are quite strict with requirements that are potentially viewed as biased based on race or gender. In 2020, two Black male students in Texas, cousins with West Indian heritage, were suspended for wearing dreadlocks in supposed violation of the district’s hair and grooming policy, part of the dress code. The elder one, a senior, was told he couldn’t attend prom or graduation until his dreads were trimmed. In 2022, girls on the track team at an Albany, NY high school were sent home for wearing sports bras at practice.

Uniforms are certainly easier for administrators to enforce than dress codes, largely because the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) can be depended upon to protect a student’s “right to express themselves.” The ACLU believes dress codes are often used to, “shame girls, force students to conform to gender stereotypes… punish students who wear political and countercultural messages. Such policies can be used as cover for racial discrimination… Dress codes can also infringe on a student’s religious rights…” To successfully enforce a dress code, insists the ACLU, the school must prove the student’s attire, “is disruptive to school activities.”

The ACLU’s dress code stance is regularly supported by federal courts , like the 2023 lower court ruling in North Carolina that ended a charter school decree that girls couldn’t wear pants to school. ACLU lawyers claimed this violated Title IX because the dress code “discriminated against female students by limiting their ability to fully participate in school activities, such as using the playground.” The U.S. Supreme Court later declined to take up a case challenging the lower court’s ruling.

Check with your school to see what the dress code is, as they can be fairly specific. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, for example, the dress code prohibits :

• Symbols, mottoes, words or acronyms that convey crude, vulgar, profane, violent, death-oriented, gang-related, sexually explicit, or sexually suggestive messages.
• Symbols, mottoes, words or acronyms advertising tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia.
• Symbols, mottoes, words or acronyms identifying a student as a member of a secret or overtly antisocial group or gang or that identifies a student as a member of an organization that professes violence or hatred toward one’s fellow man.
• Visible and permanent tattoos/brands incompatible with the standards set forth herein shall be covered to prohibit their display.
• Excessively large or baggy clothes

What’s a uniform?

School uniforms worldwide can widely range from nondescript to bizarre. (Extreme examples from China, Australia, and the UK on this YouTube video ) Most public school outfits in the USA are quite casual, with a “ common type ” for boys often a polo shirt in a solid color, with pants in khaki, black, or navy blue. A girl’s uniform is often a skirt and a white buttoned-up shirt. Dress shoes are frequently required for both genders.

In the United States, low-income families spend an average of $249 on a child’s school uniform annually, far less than the typical Australian student’s $578. But still, the cost is sometimes viewed as unfair because public education is intended to be free, paid by tax dollars, not “a stress for families on lower incomes.” The ACLU believes that public schools should provide free school uniforms , because the expense is unconstitutional, and it increases wealth inequity.

What research says about school uniforms

In 2006, Virginia Draa, professor at Youngstown State University, reviewed the impact of school uniforms at 64 public high schools that had larger percentages of economically disadvantaged and minority students than other urban schools. Her conclusion surprised her: “I really went into this thinking uniforms don’t make a difference, but I came away seeing that they do… I was absolutely floored.” Her analysis determined that the schools with uniforms improved their students attendance, and graduation rates rose an average almost 11 percent.

In 2022, Ohio State University and University of Pennsylvania researchers reached a contrary opinion in their report titled “ School Uniforms and Students Behavior: Is There a Link? ” Their view was that, in general, evidence that school uniforms improve social skills in the students was “inconclusive.” The solitary praise they provided to uniform-wearing was noting there was “some indication that low-income students in schools that required uniforms demonstrated better school attendance than low-income students in schools that did not.”

What to believe? Jury is still out.

What do students think about uniforms?

A student discussion: pros and cons of uniforms

Editor’s note: This video is part of our high school milestones series about communication skills. The students in this video discuss the pros and cons of school uniforms.

A University of Nevada, Reno, survey of 1,848 middle school students, published in 2022, revealed that 90 percent did not like wearing a uniform to school . Only 30 percent believed the uniforms “might reduce discipline issues, a mere 17 percent thought the uniform helped them focus at school, 34 percent believed their school was safer due to the uniforms and 37 percent said, “I worry less about my appearance” due to the uniform requirement.”

An earlier study, also in Nevada, displayed similar unpopularity with newly instituted uniforms among middle school students. However, when the researchers looked into school discipline and local police records and compared them to the prior year’s data, discipline referrals were down 10 percent, there were 63 percent fewer police log reports, and incidences of graffiti, fights, and gang-related activity were all down.

It’s a big issue

A new trend is the mounting pressure to establish dress codes for teachers. Apparently, the same casual mindset toward revealing outfits is cropping up in the ranks of our teachers.

The debate over uniforms in public schools encompasses many larger issues than simply what children should wear to school. It touches on issues of school improvement, freedom of expression, and hot-button culture wars. It’s no wonder the debate rages on.

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School Uniforms Should Not Be Banned

Filed Under: Essays

In a school, uniforms make up a vital part of a student’s environment. One can agree that school uniforms should not be banned as it helps in providing the students with a sense of belonging. School uniforms also helps in preventing the constant wearing of inappropriate attire to school. School uniforms also create a look of neatness and order for onlookers to see. Can one not agree on such things that help to build a better individual? A school is a learning institution, so the students present, should look and feel as if they are apart of a group. School uniforms would help in providing the students with a sense that they belong. Studies show that when a group of persons working together are well uniformed and of equality in appearance, they tend to feel more needed and as if they actually belong to the particular group. If one should compare a set of students who is well uniformed to a group that is supposedly “casually dressed” for school, it would show that the casually dressed would be more tacky and disuniformed.

Students who would not be able to afford the latest in fashion would be looked down upon when compared to a set of those who are able to purchase new outfits every week. Therefore school uniforms should not be banned as it helps the individual to feel a sense of belonging. Likewise, school uniforms would also help to prevent the wearing the wearing of inappropriate attire to school. High waist shorts, tank tops and the various skimpy clothing are what is considered the latest fashion. Without a doubt, if one were to allow school uniforms to be banned, students would most definitely show up with all manner of their body’s showing. How would you like it as a male teacher standing in front of a female student with almost everywhere on her body showing? Look within yourselves, the clothing that would be worn would pose your children as victims of assaults and rape.

Adopting a School Uniform Policy

The primary focus of this district is the education of our students. However, it would be irresponsible to overlook the fact that school also plays a crucial role in the social and emotional development of our district’s children. Because of this, any decisions that directly affect the students must be examined very carefully. The issue at had is that of school uniforms. Would our students benefit ...

Hence, one can agree that school uniforms should not be banned. Similarly, one can agree that school uniforms would help to create a look of neatness and order for outsiders to see. Many may say that school uniforms are unnecessary and does not help in any way, but wouldn’t it be better that when people look at a student, they can recognize the noble institution they are apart of? When a student is well uniformed, it is important to note the effect it will have on outsiders. Without a doubt, one can strongly agree, that wearing school uniforms is the right way to go. Hence, it is indeed seen where school uniforms should not be banned.

Conclusively, it can be agreed upon the fact that school uniforms should not be banned. Indubitably there are many more reasons than these, but never the less, it can be seen where the wearing of school uniform are by all means appropriate to a child’s growth and development.

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Pro and Con: School Uniforms

To access extended pro and con arguments, sources, and discussion questions about whether students should have to wear school uniforms, go to ProCon.org .

Traditionally favored by private and parochial institutions, school uniforms are being adopted by US public schools in increasing numbers. According to a 2020 report, the percentage of public schools that required school uniforms jumped from 12% in the 1999-2000 school year to 20% in the 2017-18 school year. School uniforms were most frequently required by elementary schools (23%), followed by middle (18%), and high schools (10%).

The first recorded use of standardized dress in education may have been in England in 1222, when the Archbishop of Canterbury mandated that students wear a robe-like outfit called the “cappa clausa.” The origin of the modern school uniform can be traced to 16th Century England, when the impoverished “charity children” attending the Christ’s Hospital boarding school wore blue cloaks reminiscent of the cassocks worn by clergy, along with yellow stockings. As of Sep. 2014, students at Christ’s Hospital were still wearing the same uniform, and according to the school it is the oldest school uniform still in use. When Christ’s Hospital surveyed its students in 2011, 95% voted to keep the traditional uniforms.

School uniforms in the United States followed the traditional use of uniforms established in England and were generally limited to private and parochial schools. One exception was found in government-run boarding schools for Native American children, first established in the late 1800s, where the children, who had been removed from their families, were dressed in military-style uniforms.

According to figures released in 2018 by the National Center for Education Statistics, the total number of public schools nationwide requiring students to wear school uniforms increased from 12% during the 1999-2000 school year to 21% during the 2015-2016 school year. In 2015-2016, 25% of public primary schools enforced a uniform policy, as did 20% of public middle schools and 12% of public high schools. A higher proportion of schools located in cities had mandatory uniforms in 2015-2016 than schools in suburban, town, and rural areas. Mandatory uniforms were far more prevalent in “high-poverty” schools (in which 76% of students were eligible for reduced-cost or free lunch programs) than in “low-poverty” schools.

Among the US cities with the highest use of school uniforms in public schools are Philadelphia (100% of schools), New Orleans (95%), Cleveland (85%), Chicago (80%), Boston (65%), and Miami (60%). The number of schools with “strict dress codes” has also increased, from 47% in 2000 to 57% in 2010.

• School uniforms may deter crime and increase student safety.
• School uniforms keep students focused on their education, not their clothes.
• School uniforms create a level playing field among students, reducing peer pressure and bullying.
• Wearing uniforms enhances school pride, unity, and community spirit.
• School uniforms may improve attendance and discipline.
• Uniform policies save valuable class time because they are easier to enforce than a standard dress code.
• School uniforms prevent the display of gang colors and insignia.
• School uniforms make getting ready for school easier, which can improve punctuality.
• School uniforms can save parents money.
• Most parents and educators support mandatory school uniforms.
• Students’ legal right to free expression remains intact even with mandatory school uniforms.
• Students dressed in uniform are better perceived by teachers and peers.
• Students can express their individuality in school uniforms by introducing variations and adding accessories.
• School uniforms restrict students’ freedom of expression.
• School uniforms promote conformity over individuality.
• School uniforms do not stop bullying and may increase violent attacks.
• School uniforms do not improve attendance, academic preparedness, or exam results.
• The key findings used to tout the benefits of uniforms are questionable.
• School uniforms emphasize the socio-economic divisions they are supposed to eliminate.
• Students oppose school uniforms.
• Uniforms may have a detrimental effect on students’ self-image.
• Focusing on uniforms takes attention away from finding genuine solutions to problems in education.
• The push for school uniforms is driven by commercial interests rather than educational ones.
• Parents should be free to choose their children’s clothes without government interference.
• School uniforms in public schools undermine the promise of a free education by imposing an extra expense on families.
• School uniforms may delay the transition into adulthood.

This article was published on May 3, 2021, at Britannica’s ProCon.org , a nonpartisan issue-information source.

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School Uniform should not be banned Argumentative Essay

Many people haven’t thought of all the great things school uniforms have to offer. Many students do not favour the idea of school uniforms, but I strongly disagree. I think uniforms are essential for every school needs them. I think this because school uniforms help student academically perform better, prevents bullying and school uniforms make school a safer place School uniform would help students to academically perform better, as it removes distraction. Many educators and sociology experts believe that students who wear school uniforms perform better academically at school. Students are often so focused on their wardrobe that it distracts them from learning. Some experts believe that a uniform policy will remove this distraction and improve student attention. They believe uniforms sets a more serious ambiance within the school environment that is suitable to learning and can improve student performance. They also believe that school uniforms improve student attendance. Many parents report that their children spend a great deal of time planning and choosing their daily clothing, and that uniforms allow students to use this time to sleep or study. While some students dislike the idea of school uniforms, because it limits how they can express themselves, it can prevent them from wearing inappropriate clothes. School uniforms prevent bullying.

Not everyone is wealthy, and stylish clothes these days can be very expensive and people simply can’t afford them, students could be bullied because of how they dress. If everyone were to wear the same thing, everyone would be equal and school uniforms can be a cheap way to promote unity among fellow students. Wearing the same uniform encourages students to behave friendly, helps to develop good social skills and a sense of belonging. When students wear the same uniform, they feel more connected with each other and learn to pay more attention the person’s identity, not the persons clothing. School uniforms were designed to promote safety in schools. School uniforms make it easier for teachers to identify which student belongs at the school. If there was no school uniform dangerous people can just walk onto campus and teachers won’t even notice. I wouldn’t feel safe at school if this was to happen.

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At St Albans Secondary College we always go on excursions, whether it’s in the city or just in St Albans, teachers could identify who is with their school and who isn’t, so if a student gets lost teachers can identify them by what they are wearing. Many people would argue that school uniforms are too expensive. At any public school in the district, a boys full uniform consisting of a shirt, a pair of pants, a jumper and a pair of black shoes could total up to approximately $200, but this is a small price to pay for something a student could wear for their entire high school career. At all schools the uniforms are made with high quality materials and fabrics and do usually last for a long time. These days most students from government school would receive EMA which pays for their uniform. And if there were no uniforms a student would need more than one outfit to come to school and that could cost much more than a standard school uniform. Wearing school uniform gives the students a variety of benefits, the most prominent being because school uniforms help student academically perform better prevents bullying and for safety reasons. The abolishment of school uniforms will not help. When I wear my school uniform I feel a sense of belonging, I hold my head up high feeling proud to be wearing my school logo. Therefore, the school uniform policy should not be abolished as it plays a very important role in the life of a modern day student.

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Home — Essay Samples — Education — School Uniform — Issue of Wearing School Uniforms: Bullying of Students’ Individuality

Issue of Wearing School Uniforms: Bullying of Students' Individuality

• Categories: School Uniform Student

About this sample

Words: 492 |

Published: Mar 1, 2019

Words: 492 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Table of contents

School uniforms essay outline, school uniforms essay example, introduction.

• Introduction to the debate on whether students should wear uniforms
• Mention of the reasons for and against school uniforms

Security Concerns

• Discussion of the role of uniforms in enhancing school security
• Potential risks of allowing students to wear non-uniform clothing
• The issue of concealing weapons and identifying strangers

Bullying and Behavior Issues

• Exploration of how uniforms can prevent conflicts related to clothing
• The impact of uniforms on reducing behavioral problems
• The message sent to students about rules and consequences

Academic Focus

• Discussion of how uniforms can eliminate distractions related to clothing trends
• The idea that students may focus better on learning without clothing concerns
• The allocation of resources and time to address clothing-related issues

Individuality and Expression

• Examining the argument that uniforms restrict students' individuality
• How students may seek alternative means of expression, such as jewelry
• The debate over allowing jewelry and its impact on uniform policies
• Summarization of the main points discussed in the essay
• A balanced perspective on the benefits and drawbacks of school uniforms
• The role of uniforms in maintaining a well-structured school environment

Works Cited

• Brunsma, D. L., & Rockquemore, K. A. (1998). Effects of student uniforms on attendance, behavior problems, substance use, and academic achievement. The Journal of Educational Research, 92(1), 53-62.
• Bodine, A. (2003). School uniforms and the First Amendment. Education and the Law, 15(2), 169-178.
• Henning, E., & Slater, C. (2008). The effect of school uniforms on student achievement and behavior. Canadian Journal of Education, 31(2), 581-605.
• Brunsma, D. L. (2007). The school uniform movement and what it tells us about American education: A symbolic crusade. Rowman & Littlefield Education.
• King, N. (2013). Why we should get rid of school uniforms. The Atlantic. Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2013/09/why-we-should-get-rid-of-school-uniforms/279801/
• Wong, W. (2009). The effectiveness of school uniforms on students' academic achievement and discipline. American Journal of Education, 116(4), 657-682.
• Bodine, A., & Provenzo, E. F. (2002). School uniforms: A qualitative analysis of aims and accomplishments. Journal of School Violence, 1(2), 47-63.
• Brunsma, D. L. (2006). School uniforms in America: A historical case study examining policy making and implementation. The Journal of Educational Thought, 40(3), 241-255.
• Cohen, S., & Smerdon, B. (2009). Do school uniforms make a difference? National Center for Education Statistics.
• Lumsden, L. S., Miller, M., & McBroom, W. H. (2009). School uniforms and the public schools: A decade of research and debate. Education and Urban Society, 41(3), 323-342.

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Why School Uniforms Should Be Banned

Most students feel that school uniforms are a waste of time and money. School uniforms do not allow students to express their individuality and personality. Clothing is a way for people to express themselves, and requiring students to wear uniforms takes away this form of self-expression.

In addition, schools should be focused on education, not on enforcing a dress code. Requiring uniforms takes away valuable time that could be spent on learning. It also puts unnecessary financial burdens on families. Many families cannot afford to pay for uniforms, and schools should be taking steps to make education more accessible, not less.

There are also safety concerns with school uniforms. If all students are wearing the same thing, it can make it easier for predators to target victims. In addition, uniforms can be uncomfortable and restrictive, which can negatively impact students’ physical and mental health.

Overall, there are many good reasons to ban school uniforms. They infringe on students’ rights, waste time and money, and can be unsafe. Let’s keep our schools focused on education, not fashion.

School uniforms play an important role in school life. More importantly, those who cannot afford designer clothes should not be banned from wearing them. Our finances have a great influence on our School lives and often times, those with less money are left out because of their clothing choices. This needs to stop.

Clothing can be a great source of anxiety and stress for young people, who already have to deal with the pressures of school work, exams and fitting in with their peers. Wearing a uniform takes away one area of worry and stress, and gives students more time and energy to focus on their studies.

There are many other reasons why school uniforms should not be banned. For example, uniforms promote a sense of community and unity within a school. They also give students a sense of pride in their school. In addition, wearing a uniform can help to reduce bullying and peer pressure, as everyone is dressed the same regardless of their financial circumstances.

So while there may be some drawbacks to wearing a uniform, on balance it seems that the pros outweigh the cons. What do you think? Should school uniforms be banned? Let us know in the comments below.

Wearing less costly, less fashionable clothes differentiates you from others, which school uniforms can avoid. Being distinguished and appearing unique almost certainly attracts bullying attention, especially in schools. Young children who don’t understand the consequences of being bullied will often pick on the kid who doesn’t look like them, which can be extremely distressing for the target child.

School uniforms also present a financial burden to families. While some schools may offer scholarships or financial assistance for uniforms, not all families can afford to pay for uniforms every year. In some cases, children may even be ridiculed by classmates for wearing less expensive or less fashionable clothing.

There are also many practical reasons why school uniforms should be banned. For example, during hot weather, students may feel uncomfortable and even suffer from heat exhaustion if they are required to wear long pants and heavy shirts. In cold weather, students may have to wear layers of clothing under their uniform, which can be bulky and inconvenient.

Finally, school uniforms can be restrictive and hinder creativity and self-expression. Many students feel that they cannot express their individuality when they are required to wear the same clothes as everyone else. For some students, uniforms may even be a source of anxiety and stress.

Exclusion is just one consequence of wearing distinct clothing and thus appearing distinct. Having a school uniform will ensure that everyone appears the same, preventing all of the aforementioned possibilities.

Clothing is not just a superficial concern, but something that can have a very real and profound effect on someone’s life. Students should be free to wear whatever they want to school, without having to worry about the judgement of their peers.

Clothing has always been a controversial issue in schools. Some people argue that it is necessary in order to maintain a sense of order and discipline. Others argue that it is an infringement on students’ rights, and that it does not do anything to improve the learning environment. School uniforms are usually seen as positive, but there are some negatives associated with them as well.

One of the most common arguments against school uniforms is that they take away students’ individuality and freedom of expression. Clothing is often seen as a way for people to express themselves, and forcing students to wear the same thing every day can be seen as a form of censorship. Some students also see uniforms as a way for rich kids to show off their wealth, and they feel like they are being forced to conform to a certain image.

Another common argument against school uniforms is that they are a waste of money. Families who cannot afford to buy new clothes for their children every year may find it difficult to keep up with the cost of uniforms. In addition, schools could be using that money to fund other programs that would benefit students more.

There are some positives associated with school uniforms as well. One of the most common arguments in favor of uniforms is that they help to create a sense of unity and pride among students. Students who feel like they are part of a team are more likely to be successful in their studies. In addition, uniforms can help to reduce crime in schools. Studies have shown that schools with uniforms have less violent crime and fewer instances of theft than schools without uniforms.

So, there are pros and cons to school uniforms. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to require uniforms should be up to each individual school. Some schools may find that uniforms improve the learning environment, while others may find that they take away from students’ individuality.

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