I think that school uniforms are a bad ideal because you lose the right of individuality that life as given to you from the start of your life, School Uniforms will cut that freedom from you in the most important years of your life. People have the right to pick what they want to wear to school, not something sexual or dirty, but at least a given choice to what they should wear for another day in there life. On the website www.sheknows.com, some of the other cons shes says is that there is finance issues with this kind of system, since of the low income families wont have the money need to pay for the uniforms since they already payed for clothes for there children's individuality. Also teens could get tattoos and piercings to try to express themselves, and so they feel different from all the rest. Overall The students should have the right to choice what they want to wear. They have the choice to take the classes they want, read the books, they want, and love who they want. So why take away some of there freedoms, in some years they will be on there own. So why take this right for individuality away from them. Just why take a piece of there self away from them in the most important years of there life. These are the most important years of there or your life. School Uniforms will cause you or them to just be another face in the crowd. I rest my case about School Uniforms.

I would definitely be against school uniforms. According to www.greatschools.org, there are many pros and many cons. A few of the pros would be such as discouraging gang activity on campus, helping to identify intruders, and increase a sense of belonging in the school. As for the gangs, even though it isn't a large problem around here, it still can't stop the gangs from getting into a school just because they can't wear their "colors" in school. It will just result in them wearing the "colors" after school, and still being involved. As for determining an intruder, the hype for society lately has been shootings. That would only make those scenarios worse, as then, everyone will look the same as the shooter. And as for the sense of belonging in the school, every school has it's groups. There's no way to stop that, and their will always be people that are excluded from the group. It is impossible to stop that with a uniform.

Uniforms also infringe on students rights of expression. There has to be guidelines to what we can wear, but of course, we are allowed to have our own style. I myself may prefer to dress widely different from anyone else in the school. Who can have that right to take away my thoughts of fashion? Nobody can, nor will anybody ever do so. School uniforms are not the way, perhaps a better education system where we can overpower the problems without having to change the way we dress would be the better solution.

In all honesty, any good debate would be much better if opinions didn't matter. Among the swathe of people with their heart set on their voice being heard, I'm pretty sure no individual opinion matters when it comes to subjects like this. But that's just an opinion.

I find quite disturbing the answers that are allowed for this debate. I don't necessarily believe uniforms improve behavior. The prospect of it would make sense, but in many cases, no effect is achieved to any extent, and the small benefits found in others are miniscule in comparison to the cost and hassle of maintaining such a task of distribution, management, and enforcement of such a strict dress code. While it's true that schools are, in essence, government institutions, it does not necessarily mean a certain attire should be required. Of course, as sense would have it, there should at least be general guidelines to avoid distractions and to ensure nobody gets troubled or disturbed by public indecency/nudity/another something or other. In spite of my personal beliefs, statistics back me up, as they would any view of mine.

Allow me to quote a fellow student of mine in favor of school uniforms. 'In the study of Lee Jolley, Leigh Southward and Melinda Swafford is that “ their findings indicate that students uniforms have no direct effect on substance abuse, behavioral problems, school safety, school attendance, or academic achievements."' - alejandra14

This is interesting for this person to bring up, considering this goes directly against the side they are self-associated with in this debate. While they state "School uniforms improve people behavior", there exists exactly no scientific evidence that this is true, especially in the source she cited, and the evidence that does exist is controversial and usually done in secluded areas on small numbers or non-diverse groups of people. It's obvious that uniforms have virtually no direct effect on a district's students' well-being, but have a considerable effect on the wallets of the local parents of said district.

I don't think school uniforms are necessary. The way a person dresses is on their personality, its a way for kids to express themselves. Also it is said on www.angelfire.com that uniforms wouldn't teach children how to accept others that are different from them. Angelfire.com also listed some other facts, but that one definitely stuck out the most. Yes, everybody would look the same, and there are some cons to school uniforms, but isn't it important for children to be able to define themselves and be creative on what they wear rather than letting them go to school uncomfortable? Also many students prefer to be unique, and tons would be against going to school looking like an army.

School uniforms are a bad idea because uniforms distract the students individually. I think we should get to wear whatever we want because it expresses everyone's personality and how they feel. Also if families don’t have the money to purchase the uniforms they will have to work even harder and have less money. Statistic from the pros and cons of uniforms show that students wearing uniforms are bullied by students from other schools that don’t have uniforms. In today's society kids and teenagers are so negative about everything and are so hard headed they would just complain about the uniforms constantly so it would save the teachers a headache without uniforms. I think schools control what we do enough the way it is so let us dress how we please. If you want to read more pros and cons the web site is below.

I agree with Hunter, some people seem to forget that uniforms cost money and you're going to school for five days. Kids can't wear the same outfit for eight hours every day for five days. So you'll need more than one uniform, and if you have more than one kid in school, the uniforms will add up quickly. I did do research however on financial assistance for the school uniforms. According to frenchtoast.com, parents have said that three uniforms cost about the same as one pair of designer jeans. But what kind of designer jeans are we talking here? :) Anyway, the point is is that I agree that we shouldn't have school uniforms, but I just wanted to make clear that financial assistance is available for them.

I feel that school uniforms are unnecessary for school protocol, from what I researched, school uniforms are estimated to cost about $50 per individual. I feel that our schools could use that money to spend on more important things for the schools. Schools all across America are considering if school uniform would be acceptable or if it would cause problems. School uniforms could pose a problem, damage to the uniforms could occur, or could be misplaced. The idea of uniforms could make schools look formal and intellectual. In my opinion, I feel that school uniforms shouldn’t be enforced, I feel that schools shouldn’t enforce the mandatory use of school uniforms, because they should have the obligation to wear what they prefer, as long as it obeys the protocol in the school systems.

"School Uniforms, School Uniform, Kids School Uniforms - French Toast."School Uniforms, School Uniform, Kids School Uniforms - French Toast. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2014.

Some schools are requiring dress codes. Having dress codes would prevent students for wearing inappropriate clothing, but it also would make every family buy new clothing. Clothing makes everybody themselves. By the way people dress gives them their own personality. Kate Green, a seventh-grader at Haven Middle School, says that “there are skinny girls that wear leggings and don’t get caught, but as soon as a heavier set person wears them, they get in trouble for not following the dress code.” "It puts everyone on the same playing field when they're at school," says Kitty Rotella, principal of St. Mark's Episcopal School. Some schools have their own dress code such as us for example. There is a rule for how short shorts are, or how many fingers we have to have on our sleeves. Emily Sweeney states that uniforms boost people’s pride, relieve peer pressure, and help people focus on school work. This is why school uniforms should not be banned, but should have restrictions.

I believe that school uniforms wouldn't have a single bit of an effect on bullying or discrimination. They take away a way for students to express themselves and not being able to express their feelings in some way and I feel that in some people, that would come out as hate for other people such as the ones whom are enforcing this uniform upon them thus increasing insubordination in schools. So really a school uniform would have the opposite and undesired effect. To me a imposing a school uniform to "stop bullying and discrimination" is on the same line as painting everyone's skin the same color to be rid of racism. Absolutely pointless and a horrible thing to do.

I don't like the idea of wearing uniforms in school. Sure it might prevent bullying, but we as students can't express ourselves in we're forced to all wear the same thing. Some negative things that come about from uniforms are the price of them, uniforms can be very expensive these days, another thing is that, again, they take away our individuality. I enjoy being able to wear shorts, a t shirt and sweatshirt to school everyday, and would hate it if I had that taken away.. It works for the most part in private schools, but if we brought them to public schools it would cause problems for a majority, if not all, of the student body.

I believe that making a child wear a school uniform is unnecessary. There are good points to both sides of this debate but I think that by making somebody wear something that they don't want to wear will cause more problems for the superintendent and school faculty. Having to constantly worry about what qualifies as the correct way to wear these uniforms or for students who will rebel and refuse to wear them in general. Greatschools.org states that by enforcing this on public schools it's simply a band-aid to the violence that it happening and I agree. Just because you put a child in different clothes, yes they may not be judging them as harshly as they would if there weren't uniforms but kids will find something else to bully these kids about. Bullying in school does not just happen because of clothing, there are many sources of bullying. But I do agree that would be a lot easier to identify a school intruder. And as for it being cheaper for students to wear uniforms, I disagree. Simply because you will have to purchase a few of these uniforms but also the parents will still have to buy these kids clothes to wear outside of school. These kids are not going to want to wear a uniform when they are not in school.

I think that school uniforms are a bad idea. They would give students a bad attitude and give them every reason possible to complain all the time. According to sheknows.com, uniforms detract students from their individuality, students will always find ways to express themselves, leading to less desirable forms of expression. The extra cost for these would be a big problem too. It would be hard for low income families. Its a financial burden. That would be one of the main problems of this idea. Uniforms for a public school would be just absolutely ridiculous. Making low income families pay for something like that would unfair and rude. I wouldn’t ever be for uniforms.

I would be against school uniforms personally because I don't like being dressed the same as everyone else. With everyone wearing the same exact thing everyday doesn't give you the choice to chose what you want to wear. Some schools have banned people from wearing leggings, and if they do then they have to wear a shirt or skirt over it that goes to there fingertips which means it has to cover there behind. If this was the cause for our school we would have a little bit of anger to say because most girls wear leggings to school everyday. a federal court agreed with a school district in Morgan Hill, Calif., after some high school students were told not to wear American flag T-shirts on the Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo in 2010. The worry was that the shirts would incite conflict with the school's many Hispanic students. Then there was the matter of yoga pants, which are tight like leggings, but flared at the bottom. Did the fingertip rule also apply to those types of pants, especially when no one could tell the difference if they were tucked into boots, which is also a popular style among teens?

Irvine, Martha. "Dress Codes: Where Should Schools Set Limits?." Chicago Tribune. 16 Apr. 2014: n.p. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 23 Apr. 2014. Not only is the current uniform policy socially impractical; it is economically impractical as well. Students now have two wardrobes, one for leisurely wear and a second set comprised of school polos that cost much more. In fact, it is most detrimental to impoverished families who struggle just to make ends meet.Ankersen, Dylan. "School Uniforms Undermine Freedom." Gainesville Sun. 03 Mar. 2014: n.p. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 23 Apr. 2014.

To some people school uniforms are boring and children should be able to be creative with what they get to wear. Also uniforms are expensive and some students may not be able to afford it. Uniforms also don’t let people be unique and show their character. Certain school rules are ok like how short some shorts can be but they shouldn’t be so strict that a student can’t show their character. Personally I would not like wearing a uniform.

"Dress codes: pros and cons." New Moon Girls Sept.-Oct. 2012: 15. General OneFile. Web. 23 Apr. 2014.

School uniforms have been a popular debate for quite sometime whether they benefit students or hinder their success. Many parents would agree in saying that they are not needed and the major reason being is that they are expensive. Unlike shopping for yourself there is only one option that you get when having to get uniforms, there are no alternative stores. Many also believe that uniforms make it so all kids are equal and it cuts down on bullying which in part is true but also not. People will still find a way to single you out and pick on you even if you wear the same clothing. More or less it’s an opinion and if you want uniforms, attend a school that requires them and if not then find one with no school uniform plan and as simple as that.

"School Uniforms: The Good, the Bad and the Plaid." NOLA.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Apr. 2014.

There are many people who like uniforms and others who think they are the stupidest things in the world. Something that people don't often think about is that THEY COST MONEY. Some people don't have money to spend on uniforms and stuff that goes with it. Yes uniforms can save lives and "Stop gang related violence", but sadly some people don't have money to spend on that stuff. And if some people couldn't afford them they got hand me downs and hand me downs are tore and stained.

Secondly, the myth of uniforms is that is is a social leveler. But in many European countries with good schools DON'T have uniforms. In the 90's, Bill Clinton thought that uniforms might be the answer to gang-related violence, but that didn't work. Just because you make students wear uniforms does not mean't that they are going to stop what they are doing. People are still gonna do what they were doing before the school made them wear them.

My personal opinion is that uniforms will make people more upset because when people wear what they wanna wear to school they would be more happier. They can express their personality and enjoy school. If someone is stuck in a polo and skirt and don't feel comfortable then that's just gonna make them feel insecure.

According to Suzanne Moore she said she had missed a lot of school on account of the attitude and having to wear the uniform. A teacher once said to her, "Don't ask questions, girl, and put your tie on properly." Do you really want that kind of attitude going around a school? Kids don't listen to what teachers or parents say most of the time anyways.

Moore, Suzanne. "School Uniforms: Turning Our Kids Into Soulless Conformists." The Guardian. 30 Aug. 2012: 5. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 24 Apr. 2014.

School uniforms are a huge topic in our school system. The belief that the kids should be able to chose their clothing for themselves and achieve individuality. But on the other side of the argument saying that the kids are making an inappropriate choice when getting dressed in the morning. For the past decade, the argument between children, parents, and schools has always fluctuated toward the clothes the kids are choosing to wear in school. From the anti Obama shirts to the inappropriate sayings, the subject of school uniforms has always been in debate. Should the schools take away the right the children have to be their own person and pick their own clothes, or just leave it as is and set guidelines to help the matter not get out of hand? Sure, by having the uniforms would help prevent gangs from forming, encourage discipline, help identify intruders in the school, and diminish the economic and social barrier between students. But by taking away the kids choice of clothing, we are also taking away that same right to make our own choices. It takes away their right to freedom of expression and right of free living and thinking. By putting kids in the same exactly clothing, you can't expect that child to figure what kind of person they really are at a young age. To them, they will just look like the person sitting next to them. "Do Uniforms Make Schools Better?" GreatSchools. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2014.

I don't like the idea of have a school uniform at all. Some people might like it but I don't want to compared or be the same as anyone. Everyone's different why not let people express that. But I have been told my someone that when their school had uniforms, the girl's skirt got shorter and shorter sometimes but how is that any better then wearing short shorts in the summer? I think people should be able to express theirselves with what they wear which by what they wear might say something bout them. If they have a uniform for school do they have to stay in that uniform for like P.E. or do we have a different uniform or can we wear regular cloths?

Naughton, Phoebe, and Connor Von Rentzell. "Should schools require uniforms?" Scholastic News/Weekly Reader Edition 4 6 May 2013: 15. General OneFile. Web. 24 Apr. 2014.

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Students that go to public schools should be able to pick what outfits they wear to school. On the other hand, private school's students should wear uniforms, just because they are under different rules that are more strict.

The main reason I am against school uniforms is because students would have to purchase the uniforms to wear Monday-Friday, but then they'd still have to buy other clothes to wear on the weekends. So it's like having two wardrobes.

According to angelfire.com, if all students wore uniforms, they wouldn't learn that people are different than themselves and they can express themselves differently. From designer clothes to goodwill clothes, people choose how they express themselves in a variety of different ways, and I think requiring students to wear uniforms goes against their right to express what and how they're feeling.

Another thing I read was parents are offended that what they buy or pick out for their children isn't good enough. In some cases, the parents buy the clothes for their children and have a say on what is being bought. Parents are not happy that what they are choosing their child to wear is unacceptable to the school.

"Arguments about Uniforms." Arguments for and against School Uniforms. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2014.

Many schools always have the conversation about school uniforms. If school uniforms really would help the student body with academics, then why doesn't every school have them. According to the article “What to wear back to school” nearly one out of five schools require school uniforms in 2010. I thought it would be less than that, because there are many schools around us that has school uniforms. I am against school uniforms because I like to wear what I want and not look the same as everyone else. According to the article “What to wear back to school” students try so hard to one-up other kids from hairstyles to shoes. I can see this happening in school, like in middle school kids always tried to one-up the other But you can see in high school that no one care as much about what people wear. Yes there is certain things that I want to wear to school that I can’t because I am afraid of getting made fun of because I have heard other people get made fun of them because of what they wear.

Many people can not afford school uniforms and then also have to buy clothes for outside of school. According to the article “School Uniforms” this lady could not afford to pay for a school uniform so she had to pick up another job just to pay for it. Also her child got cool shoes that she wanted to wear to school and she couldn’t unless her mom wrote a note. I think this is ridiculous because you should be able to wear what you want. Also if she had to pick up another job to pay for school uniforms because the school is making her kid wear it is outrageous.

I just think school uniforms should not even be talked about because they cost way too much and no one really likes them. People should wear what they want and not what the school wants them to wear.

Toppo, Greg. "What to Wear Back to School?." USA TODAY. 19 Aug. 2013: A.3. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 24 Apr. 2014.

Moore, Suzanne. "School Uniforms: Turning Our Kids Into Soulless Conformists." The Guardian. 30 Aug. 2012: 5. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 25 Apr. 2014.

I don’t think school uniforms are a very good idea. In the article Uniforms in Public Schools and the First Amendment: A Constitutional Analysis it states that one of the biggest reasons uniforms are opposed is it takes individuality away from the kids. I agree with this because I feel everybody should be themselves, dress how they want, and do whatever makes them happy. Kids should be able to wear shirts supporting their favorite sports team, music group, tv show, etc. I’m not saying the students should dress like they work on the corners of the street, but there should be a little freedom and individuality.

Mitchell, Harold W., and John C. Knechtle. "Uniforms in Public Schools and the First Amendment:..." Journal of Negro Education Vol. 72, No. 4. Fall2003: 487-494. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 24 Apr. 2014.

I don’t think school uniforms are a very good idea. In the article Uniforms in Public Schools and the First Amendment: A Constitutional Analysis it states that one of the biggest reasons uniforms are opposed is it takes individuality away from the kids. I agree with this because I feel everybody should be themselves, dress how they want, and do whatever makes them happy. Kids should be able to wear shirts supporting their favorite sports team, music group, tv show, etc. I’m not saying the students should dress like they work on the corners of the street, but there should be a little freedom and individuality.

Mitchell, Harold W., and John C. Knechtle. "Uniforms in Public Schools and the First Amendment:..." Journal of Negro Education Vol. 72, No. 4. Fall2003: 487-494. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 24 Apr. 2014.

I believe that school uniforms are a bad idea because they are not practical from an economical standpoint. David Ankersen makes the argument that with school uniforms, “students now have two wardrobes, one for leisurely wear and a second set comprised of school polo that cost much more.” Many people argue that school uniforms will help those who struggle financially because they will not have to buy as many clothes and won’t have to worry about buying clothes that are in style. I don’t agree with this and one reason is that parents would have to buy two separate wardrobes for their kids. While many of us already have more than one set of clothes it is possible to wear most of them in more than one place. For example, you can wear “church” or dress clothes to school if you want or for a school concert. Except for some seasonal clothes like tank tops and short shorts or clothes with inappropriate logos most clothes could be worn in everyday life or at school as long as you feel comfortable in them. Another reason school uniforms are not economical is that they usually are not cheap and may not be able to be purchased at cheaper clothing stores such as Walmart, Goodwill, or even garage sales where some parents may be shopping. School uniforms also eliminate the possibility of hand me downs from relatives or friends because (unless they go to your school) their clothes most likely won’t fit the uniform requirements. I do think restricting what clothing is worn is okay so that it’s appropriate but I don’t think that you should be required to wear a specific uniform.

Some people think that if kids wear uniforms they will not have to worry about them being picked on or teased about their clothing. I don’t believe that this is the case though. Kids will find other ways to separate themselves from the rest. School uniforms can make kids feel awkward and when you have to have shirts tucked in it can make you look fatter and that could be a cause for being picked on and for kids to have a lower self-esteem. Robert Zullo was told by Megan Burnley, a 13 year old that she hates “wearing pants up so high and tucking in shirts. When you tuck in your shirt you look fat. And if you don’t get the right shoes, you get teased.” Another things is that if you don’t have the “right” kind of uniform you could be picked on because it’s not high quality or right brand or bought at a certain store. There will always be the name brand clothes whether it is uniforms or regular clothes. I don’t feel that uniforms are going to change this.

I don't believe that students should be labeled with uniforms, according to http://www.greatschools.org/find-a-school/defining-your-ideal/121-school-uniforms.gs, Uniforms violate a students right to freedom of expression, which is something I agree with because some students don't say much, but the clothes they are wearing express their personalities more than there words ever could. Besides the fact that uniforms don't let kids express themselves, it also has little impact on bullying, the same website also says that uniforms are simply a band-aid on the issue of school violence, I also agree with this, because no matter what a student is wearing there are always students that find anything to make fun of other students for whether it be their weight or complexion they still will get made fun of by someone.

There is also the issue of being comfortable. Some students may not be comfortable in there uniforms and may get to the point where they cannot focus on their schoolwork but only focus on how uncomfortable the clothes they are wearing are.

The way someone dresses reflects there personality. Uniforms are becoming more common through out schools. The percentage of schools with uniforms is 23%, which isn't that many. Also the average costs for parents to purchase a uniform is $249, some parents and students wouldn't be able to afford that. Besides the cost, uniforms also restrict students from being who they are and how they express them selves by the way they dress. I would be against uniforms because i think they would be inconvenient and i wouldn't want to have to wear the same thing every day.

http://www.statisticbrain.com/school-uniform-statistics/

School uniforms take away your right to be original. I am against them because if our school required us to wear school uniforms it takes away your self-identity. According to kidsfashion.com when schools require students to wear uniforms the parents have to buy them which puts more pressure on the family budget. Also not all students are comfortable wearing the same thing. Some people only wear shorts, or boots and jeans. In my opinion school uniforms will make parents pay more money for their children’s clothing, and if our school was to implement this, there would be a lot of angry parents and students.

I definitely don't think having school uniforms should even be an option. According to the article, "Do Uniforms Make Schools Better?" some of the problems with having school uniforms revolve around taking away a student's freedom of expression and individuality, cost too much and are just a financial burden, and are hard to enforce. There are some benefits, but there are just so many downfalls. I think the main and definitely the biggest problem with having school uniforms is the fact that it interferes with individuality. Another one is that it just adds more to the cost of going to school. Overall, it looks like the bad out-weighs the good and they aren't worth it.