School Uniforms In High Schools

Expression has always been the way America has functioned. Americans express how they feel by their choice of clothes, their style of hair, and even whom they are friends with. Many schools around the world allow students to do just that. But recently, high schools have been enforcing a stricter dress code by demanding students to wear school uniforms. Common uniforms include khaki pants, a plain collared shirt, and classic plain, white shoes. Over the past few years, public high school uniforms have steadily increased. The National Center for Education showed that, “as of 2007-2008, 16.5% of public school require a school uniform” (“How Many Schools Have Uniforms or Standardized Dress?”). Because more schools are demanding a uniformed dress code, the percentage has gradually gone up. According to “School Uniforms- ProCon.org”, …show more content…
Teenagers in high school are more curious about themselves than at any other age. They often experience the need to be different and unique. Clothes are one way that students express themselves freely. The clothing choices the students wear help reflect on what they like and who they are. Countless students in high school experience maturity, whether it may be physically, socially, mentally, academically and even emotionally. High schools should be focused on generating an environment that encourages all students to be themselves and promote their creativity. They should not focus on making sure each and every person looks the exact same and limiting their self-expression. According to “Four Reasons Public Schools Should Think Twice Before Instituting Uniform Policies”, “clothing is precisely the type of passive, non-disruptive medium that allows students to share their thoughts without interfering with educational opportunities.” Mandated uniforms restrict the students self-expression and creativity they bring to school each