Putting a Ban on School Uniforms

As children progress from childhood to adolescence they are forced to deal with many emotions and obstacles. Starting high school poses tremendous stress. The need to fit in the "cool crowd" drives teenagers to do things they wouldn't want to do. They would buy the most expensive pairs of jeans or the ugliest looking shirt if it meant they could establish a good reputation. This takes time away from education. If teenagers could not find funds to buy expensive clothes they would either get a job or maybe even turn to illegalities such as robbing or selling drugs. Enforcing a uniform would take pressure off teenagers to attempt to impress their fellow classmates. This would especially benefit low-income students. Uniforms would cause a sense of togetherness and promote safety. A school with a dress code would be able to better manage its students.

Enforcing school uniforms will destroy the divider between the haves and have-nots. Since all uniforms look alike, students will not be able to create fashion statements. Usually when teenagers express themselves they define their cliques by how expensive an outfit is. Low-income students will feel ostracized because they will not be able to fit in with the other students. This could lead to depression and sometimes dropping out of school. "There is more of a socio-economic balance among the students with the wearing of uniforms. Students who attempt to make fashion statements through the wearing of designer clothing are virtually neutralized. School spirit is enhanced because a feeling of togetherness is created. The gap between the "haves" and the "have-nots" is narrowed due to uniforms," (LaPoint, 1993.) Eliminating "cliques" in high school will allow students to focus on other aspects of school. There will be less of a reason to cause violence and disharmony. Having uniforms will ease financial burdens for many families. The cost of designer clothing, and especially footwear, is expensive (Timely Tips: School Uniforms Debate, 2000.) School uniforms can be purchased at one-third the cost of most school outfits that are purchased in department stores. Three school uniforms can be purchased for under a hundred dollars.
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One of the biggest issues in the public school system is violence. After the Columbine incident public schools are doing as much as they can to eradicate reasons for students to cause violence. If there was an enforced dress code in the public schools then "gang type clothing would be eliminated, and crimes such as theft of expensive clothing or footwear would be substantially reduced (McDaniel, 1996.) If students are not permitted to wear gang related clothing they will be less tempted to join a gang and start causing violence. For example, if students are not allowed to ...

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