How Do You Feel About Uniforms in Public Schools?

There are many experts that insist that wearing a uniform to school helps students focus on learning, rather than on fashion. 

School uniforms take away some of the pressures on students to conform to the current fashion trends and gives them a way to avoid overspending on clothing that will go out of fashion very quickly. They are especially helpful for families that can’t afford the latest Abercrombie & Fitch t-shirts and $60 jeans from Aeropostal.

It's also a way for a student who doesn't fit into a normal size range (either very tall, very short, very thin or heavier) to avoid being singled out for their lack of conformity regarding wardrobe trends.

This week our Gansett Mom’s Council took on the topic of the pros and cons of school uniforms in our Narragansett school system. Out of all our past weekly Q & A’s, this topic drew the most comments, which we will share below.  Interestingly enough, the majority of our moms are in favor of school uniforms. 

The National Association of Elementary School Principals, which includes middle level principals, has come up with a list of pros and cons over this very controversial subject. At this time, the NAESP has not taken an official stand on school uniforms, leaving it to be decided school-by-school.

Reasons For School Uniforms

Educators, parents, and students site many reasons in favor of school uniforms: 

• School administrators face a complicated task setting a dress code: with inappropriate coverage (strapless, halter and midriff tops, and too-short skirts and shorts) and inappropriate insignia (slogans for alcohol and cigarettes, and clothing with vulgar language or representing otherwise objectionable connections, such as gang membership), it may be easier to have a uniform than to detail and enforce independently chosen clothing. 
• Dress code aside, the interest in fashion and fad combined with peer pressure can lead to pressure to spend money that some families can ill afford. School uniforms refocus this issue. 
• Wearing of school uniforms prevents the formation of dress-identified cliques.
• The wearing of school uniforms emphasizes membership and group identity, fostering a community spirit. 
• Crimes involving stealing items of apparel are unlikely to be perpetrated if everyone’s apparel is identical. 
• Because students can be easily identified, intruders in the school setting can be more readily identified and students on field trips are more easily accounted for. 
• The wearing of school uniforms helps students to realize that a person’s unique gifts and personality traits go deeper than their apparel and aren’t diminished by uniform dress.

Reasons Against School Uniforms

Other educators, parents, and students are opposed to school uniforms and give reasons like the following: 

• Uniforms interfere with students’ rights of self-expression. 
• Uniforms are an unnecessary expense and can create an economic hardship themselves. 
• Uniforms are an unnecessary exertion of power by administrators who don’t know how to exercise responsible authority. 
• The wearing of uniforms does not prevent the formation of cliques or gangs. 
• The wearing of uniforms does not prevent students from expressing unpopular or inappropriate views in other ways. 
• School uniforms can be ugly and/or unflattering, and having to wear something unattractive or unflattering is not good for students’ self-image. 
• The wearing of uniforms may delay or prevent students from having to learn how to get alongside of people whose personal taste differs markedly from their own and which they may find unappealing. 
• The wearing of school uniforms may give students the impression that conformity is the way to prevent conflict, and this is not an appropriate message for schools to send.

Here’s what a group of our own Gansett moms had to say on the subject:

Gansett Moms In Favor

• Renee Parker: I love the idea of school uniforms!  I believe that children need to express themselves and find their own style, but let it be on the weekend or after school. I think it would cut down on pressure for the students and the parents. There would be no more buying expensive clothes, no more trying to dress to fit in or be "cool." No more "I have nothing to wear."  No more worry for the kids who can't afford to dress like the "cool kids."  I think it will cut down on distraction and there would be less worry of inappropriate attire (shirts too low, too tight, pants falling off their butts).  I like it! 
• Christine Smith: LOVE the idea of school uniforms. Not only does it eliminate the morning ritual of, "I don't want to wear that!"  "This doesn't feel good!"  "I don't like this!"  It also eliminates kids feeling bad if they can't afford to keep up with the latest styles. I know some people claim that it suppresses individuality, but I believe that a child's or anyone's individuality can be expressed in many other ways besides clothes, such as through their hairstyle, their school work, and most importantly through their personality and interactions with others. In conclusion… Where's the petition?! All for it!! 
• Anne Ragozzino: Great idea! When I was a student teacher in a public school in Newark, there was a 90 percent compliance rate for uniforms. It took pressure off the kids and the parents. No more “I have nothing to wear!”
• Pamela Page: I really like the idea of school uniforms, especially with 2 daughters and the cost of clothing, and them outgrowing their clothes so quickly.  
• Tina Chofay: As a mom of two children, one who wears a uniform and one who doesn't, I think it is a good idea to require school uniforms. Although neither of my children had "choosing their outfit issues" in the morning like other families that I have heard of, I know that would be one less hassle for families during busy mornings.  I do feel that the school should choose uniforms that parents can buy in most stores (example khaki pants or navy blue docker type pants and some sort of polo shirt) so that the uniform isn't a financial burden for families in these tough times. I think a uniform helps to instill a more professional attitude in students. (I know I feel different when I am dressed in my casual "mom uniform" of jeans as opposed to a nice outfit!)   
• Sherri Flynn: All for it!
• Stephanie Griffin: I would love them. The fights we have had about clothing in this house! The drama at the middle school where I teach over who is showing what inappropriate body part! The only solution for these students who are blossoming and bursting at the bra seams is mandated school attire.    
• Martha Mulligan: Love it! No more fighting over inappropriate short levels, no more peer pressure for the "brand names." No distractions from the girl in front of you in her ultra low-rise jeans and the thong. 
• Cheryl Butler: I don’t think it will come as a surprise to anyone that in our family with eight kids, four of them teens, I am all for school uniforms. In my case, it’s truly about simplicity, plain and simple. 

Gansett Moms Not In Favor 

• Dale Loomis: I have never been one to believe that "clothes make the man" but I am also a big believer that kids do need some safe ways to express themselves and they often do it through clothes. I see the simplicity in the uniform idea. I do think that if the kids are required to wear a uniform that it should be something comfortable like jeans and a t-shirt and not some silly pleated skirt with knee socks!   
• Lyn Budaj: My daughter Danielle wrote a paper on the benefits of school uniforms when she was in middle school. It had all the pros one would think about not knowing who has money and who doesn't because of the type of clothes you wear and about the distractions of dress. When my children were that age I totally thought that a school uniform was a great idea. However now that my children are in high school I disagree. I don't feel that it is such an issue anymore. Most kids dress as comfortable as possible in high school. They are not as strict on the dress code in high school and the kids seem to just wear whatever suits them and I think for the most part kids don't dress inappropriately. I think in high school it is a great way for the kids to express who they are by the way they dress. Living in a beach community it is very beachy and casual, and I think the kids enjoy wearing flip-flops, t-shirts and jeans. I would not like to see a dress code because of this. I think kids just have to get through the tough four years of middle school. It is very tough during those years.  
• CJ Tudino: I do not like the idea of school uniforms in public schools.  I believe the kids have a right to express themselves and that is one way they do.  I think parents have to choose their battles wisely as your child becomes a teen. However, I do believe in dress codes so that girls do not have super short skirts or that boys are not wearing undershirts.   

So how would you feel about the Narragansett School district requiring students to wear school uniforms?  Please share your thoughts here in the comment section.  If you would like to join our Mom’s Council or have a question you’d like answered in a future column, we’d love to hear from you. Please e-mail me at CB091987@aol.com or to our editor, Stephen Greenwell at Stephen.Greenwell@Patch.com.

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