The Importance Of School Uniforms

The way one dresses can say a lot about his or her personality. Fashion choices are a way for students to show how they feel. For example, an athlete may have more of a relaxed look versus the student body president who dresses for success. However, in some cases this expression can lead to problems such as bullying. Not only bullying, but the cost of a child keeping up with the current fashion can end up putting a dent in a parent’s wallet. Yes, freedom of expression is a right that should be upheld, but in schools a uniform dress code should be enforced due to the cost efficiency for the student’s families as well as the sense of community that having a uniform brings to a school. Many students who must follow their schools uniform dress …show more content…
In an article regarding the positive things that come from schools having uniforms, Stephen Daniels says, “schools with uniforms say that their students have better self-esteem because without the name brand clothing on display, the students are placed on an equal level. Poorer students do not feel and are not treated as inferior because they don’t have nice clothes.” Not to mention that, “uniforms keep wealthy students from showing off as well as contribute more to school spirit” (School Uniforms). This statement made by Daniels is an enormous reason why all schools should adopt some form of a uniform. Children can be extremely mean without knowing simply due to their lack of knowledge on social situations. It has been proven that having uniforms can make a school safer as well. In an article regarding school uniforms, it is stated that “teachers can more quickly identify students on field trips as well as spot outsiders who enter the building” (School Uniforms). Continuing in the article, “Long Beach California Unified School District was one of the first districts to require student uniforms in grades K-8 in 1994. Following the new requirement, crime in the K-8 schools dropped by 22 percent” (School Uniforms). A crucial piece of information to consider in how a uniform policy effects safety within a school comes from Stephen Daniels’ article. Daniels says …show more content…
In the case of Mike DePinto, “an 11-year-old fifth-grader from Bayonne (New Jersey)” (Kelly), he did not like having to wear his school uniform and is quoted in saying, “I’m opposed to somebody telling me what to wear and forcing me to wear an emblem against my will” (Kelly). Mike Kelly is extremely opposed to DePinto’s stance on the issue. In an article regarding the issue, Kelly says, “against his will? An emblem? We’re not talking about DePinto being forced to put on a political or religious symbol. The school district merely wants him to wear a pair of khakis and a shirt with a school emblem on it.” Kelly continues by saying, “what will DePinto say if he earns a spot on a high school athletic team in a few years? Would he tell his coach he wants to design his own uniform?” What DePinto’s actual violation was will shock some. Kelly says that, “DePinto accessorized his Bayonne uniform by adding a button with a photograph of Hitler Youth members in their trademark Nazi uniforms. DePinto claims his button, which has a red circle and a slash across the Hitler Youth photo and the slogan ‘No School Uniforms,’ is his personal form of protest.” Kelly’s view on this situation is quite comical because he has no respect for this student who believes his freedom of expression is being stripped away. Kelly satirically