<p>What do you think about uniform policies. My hometown (Philadelphia) recently adopted a policy that requires each school to have a uniform. Since then, test scores have risen and gang related incidence have decreased. </p>
<p>I have taught in both uniform and non-uniform schools and I attended a uniform school. The older I get, the more I favor a uniform policy. After all, when everyone’s dressed the same, true individuality comes out.</p>
<p>I agree, the kids have to use their brains, not their bodies to make themselves stand out of the crowd. As long as the uniform policy allows some choice of colors and different pieces to choose from (not “all girls are required to wear skirts!”) and does not require to buy a specific brand, I would be in favor of this policy.</p>
<p>I oppose uniform policies. Kids have to learn how to refrain from being distracted by other people’s clothing at some point, and also how to use personal freedom responsibly. Otherwise, what are they going to do when they get to college and adulthood?</p>
<p>As far as the standard “Oh, it’ll stop bullying” argument goes…if kids aren’t bullying over clothes, they’ll bully over something else.</p>
<p>The 15-year-old I once was can’t believe it, but I have become a big uniform proponent.</p>
<p>I don’t think it’s a panacea. But I do think it helps with a “school” mindset – having different clothes for work and play helps me stay in character at the office, and it can help kids, too.</p>
<p>This has a tendency to fall along age lines - teens don’t like it, parents do. </p>
<p>The public schools in our area have a uniform policy, and by and large it works, and the vast majority of parents support it. I do not know about statistics on effects on behavior or test scores in our schools. I do know that when you have a balky 5-7 year old it is great to not have one more thing to argue about! I think every school has an option that can be purchased at Walmart or Target, and they all have “uniform closets”.
I remember growing up that the elementary school had a clothes closet that teachers and parents often contributed to. The teachers could then quietly get clothes to be given to poor students. At least with uniforms the poor child doesn’t come to school and someone recognize their own old clothes.</p>
<p>I have seen pros and cons- I can imagine some teachers- particulary with larger classrooms, just teaching to a sea of navy sweaters, but I can also imagine them making judgements based on apparel.</p>
<p>Neither of my kids schools have much of a dress code- basically nothing that endangers others or themselves- or is offensive, but we also don’t live in an area with high profile gangs.</p>
<p>Of course around here many of the adults don’t dress up for church * or * the office!
;)</p>
<p>There is a small percentage of people who think about clothes all the time and they grow up to be adults who impose uniform policies on schoolchildren because they think everyone thinks about clothes all the time.</p>
<p>There are few if any studies that directly link uniforms with good behavior, test scores, low crime, etc.</p>
<p>If uniforms are good, the faculty and administration should wear them, too.</p>
<p>If uniforms are good, casual day should not be a reward (or a fundraiser.)</p>
<p>Why do most uniform policies require that kids dress like golfers?</p>
<p>If uniforms are good, the faculty and administration should wear them, too</p>
<p>Good point.</p>
<p>Wellspring: Why do most uniform policies require that kids dress like golfers?</p>
<p>I would guess that golf attire allows students, especially younger students, the mobility to engage in classroom behavior while still reflecting a toned-down professionalism.</p>
<p>I agree with jessiehl. And I’m a parent. I have gone to school with uniforms and without and my kids have gone to both. Even with uniforms, you could tell which kids had money and which didn’t. Even with uniforms, kids pushed the limit. It didn’t solve either of those problems.</p>
<p>I also believe that at some point kids need to learn to use personal freedom responsibly.</p>
<p>I’m a parent and I’ve always been against school uniforms. I’ve never seen any particular benefit to the students clearly delineated and is the issue of what-to-wear arguments really that big a problem? As the mom of four girls, I don’t recall it being so much trouble as to require a uniform policy. The high school girls that I see around town in uniforms make me wonder why the schools even bother. They roll their skirts up so high that they barely (pun intended!) cover their underwear!</p>
<p>Since starting public schools my 13 yr. old has been in uniforms. Next year, his first year of hs he can wear “regular” clothes. He is so excited. I, on the other hand, am of the opinion that elementary and middle schoolers should wear “regular” clothes, and high schoolers should wear uniforms. Just my opinion. Every city, and neighborhood is so different and yet all the same. Gang activity exists and clothes are a big part of it, (and boys and girls are in gangs of all races; and there are “wannabee’s” who like to look as if they belong to a gang). **After all, when everyone’s dressed the same, true individuality comes out.**I totally agree. As a side note, I really like year round schools too.</p>
<p>The OP posed the question about uniforms in public schools. Private schools can do whatever they want–I don’t have to send my kid there. But I object to uniforms in public schools, unless there is an opt-out policy.</p>
<p>I’ve gone to schools with and without uniforms. I’m an adult. I hate uniforms. And I completely agree, if uniforms are so wonderful the adults can wear them too. Just call it the military. And yes even with uniforms there were always girls with diamond rings or pearl necklaces.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Yeah, but you have to look close to see the diamonds and pearls. I think I like uniforms because I remember seeing kids getting picked, ostracized, and beat up for not wearing the “right” clothes. Uniforms, in my opinion, gives all kids a fair chance.</p>
<p>“If uniforms are good, the faculty and administration should wear them, too.”</p>
<p>I’m not sure I see the logic here. Gym class is good for kids, but does that mean we should require the teachers to take it, too? Paying teachers a reasonable salary is good, but does that mean we ought to pay the students? There are plenty of policies that (rightly) apply only to teachers, or only to students, and not both.</p>
<p>I HATE going to school and having to be in uniform.</p>
<p>My two large problems:</p>
<ol>
<li>The staff are not held to the same standards. Yes, some of them CHOOSE to dress in uniform as well, but if our supposed “role models” (not to knock teachers…I LOVE most of my teachers and I do view them as role models ^_^) don’t wear them, how can we be expected to follow the policy? </li>
</ol>
<p>My dad works for IBM. He was a manager, and he told all of his employee that he expected them to dress nicely…and every day he did the same-nice shirt, tie, slacks, dress shoes. Why shouldn’t the same be said for schools?</p>
<ol>
<li>The kids who know the administration and the staff assistants get away with breaking uniform code. If you’re going to enforce it, enforce it with EVERYONE.</li>
</ol>
<p>As for the “it reduces bullying/gang violence/caste system” argument…I’ve never heard such BS in my life. It is VERY obvious at my school which kids have money and which don’t. It’s less obvious in the guys, but at least for the girls, the focus has simply turned from who has the Seven Jeans to who has the little Eagles on their polo shirts (we’re allowed to have logos smaller than a quarter) and who has that newest Coach purse. If kids want to pick on someone, they’ll find a way no matter what the staff does. Mamaof1, it’s very easy to see those little eagles/crocodiles/coach purses/etc. Especially when we all keep our bags on the desk in front of us during class (lest things be stolen out of them…most teachers understand this and don’t have a problem, but it does make it easier to tell who has money).</p>
<p>Now, I do think Dress Codes are a good idea…ie, “Skirts and/or shorts must be at least fingertip length”. I just don’t see what uniforms accomplish. I know they haven’t done a thing at my school.</p>
<p>Except the ones who don’t look good (or don’t feel like they look good) dressed up as golfers. This is especially true in middle school. The fat boy or the well-developed girl are not being given a fair chance. In fact, it shifts the disadvantage from the socioeconomic to the physical.</p>
<p>Hanna-if the staff is sending the message that they don’t care about the policy the school is enacting regarding the clothing we’re supposed to wear (whether they mean to or not), why should the students care?</p>
<p>“The fat boy or the well-developed girl are not being given a fair chance.”</p>
<p>In what middle school, in what galaxy, ARE they given a fair chance?</p>
<p>HGFM, if that’s your logic, should teachers need hall passes to go to the bathroom? Doesn’t that undermine the students’ belief in the rule?</p>