10 Reasons School Uniforms Are a Bad Idea and School Uniforms
Should Be BannedIn the past few years, more and more schools have
been requiring their students to wear uniforms. As much as one in
eight American public schools have been implementing this policy.
While there are many advocates for the continuous usage of school
uniforms, there is another side that rallies against it. Why? Youll
find out in the list below.First, a Brief History of
UniformsAlthough the uniform requirement has ust been recently
imposed, uniforms have been in e!istence for several centuries now.
"he first documented usage of a #standard garment in education was
in $%%%, where students were required to wear a &cappa clausa'
or a robe(li)e outfit.*ast forward to $+th century ,ngland,
students of the -hrist .ospital /oarding 0chool became the fathers
of the #modern school uniform. "hese children wore blue cassoc)s
and yellow stoc)ings, to mirror the loo) of the clergymen who
loo)ed after them. 1p to now, this uniform is still in use, ma)ing
it the #oldest uniform in history.School Uniforms in the United
StatesWhile the ,nglish have long been using uniforms, the 1nited
0tates was quite loose with the uniform system. 2nly the students
of private and parochial schools were first required to wear
uniforms 3 at least until $456. 7aryland and Washington 8- were the
first states to implement uniforms in public schools. 9ater on,
other states followed suit.8espite such changes, all states are not
compelled to require uniforms. .owever, more and more school
districts are going against this ruling. If your school directors
are thin)ing of doing so, then ma)e sure to let them read these top
$: reasons why school uniforms are a bad idea.10. Uniforms Only
Fuel Commercial InterestsSchool uniforms are too spendy and simply
line the pockets of corporate fat cats.0ad as it might seem,
uniforms are only stimulating commercial interests. "hey are not
solving the concerns that they are geared for. In fact, numerous
companies treat the uniform system as a maor source of revenue.
After all, Americans shell out a whopping ;$ billion dollars every
yearas long as they are respectable(loo)ing, of course.?Another
reason why uniforms suc) is the patterns. Its always chec)ered or
plaid, if you are luc)y enough that your uniform does not come in a
single bloc) color.And to further add insult to inury, you have to
wear the same, boring day every frea)ing school day. -ould I get an
amen on this?0chool can be boring at times 3 so why require
students to wear uniforms that are ust as >if not more than?
boring? If we want our )ids to enoy school 3 no matter how hard the
lessons might be 3 a great start would be to let them wear clothes
that theyll be happy in.5. Uniforms can be UncomfortableSchool
Uniforms Should be Banned Because they!re uncomfortable."here are
so many reasons why uniforms are a bad idea, and one that most of
us couldrelate to is the fact that it can be so darn uncomfortable.
I can hardly find a uniform(wearer who says that she feels co=y and
snug in her boring attire.0hort s)irts can sometimes be too short,
that a gust of wind can easily e!pose your underpants. 0ome
uniforms are made from unpleasant fabrics that will ma)e you itch
from the first class to the last class. 0ome are so badly(designed
that they can ma)e thewearer loo) bigger or pudgier. Yes, there are
so many things that can ma)e uniforms so horrendously
uncomfortable.@erhaps the worst thing about uncomfortable uniforms
is the fact that it can actually get in the way of learning. You
focus more on your uniform, instead of what you need to learn at
school. 9et me give you a scenario.0ay you have a short s)irt. 7ore
often than not, you will end up tugging your s)irt so that your
privates are not revealed for the world to see. "his is especially
the case whenyou are sitting down. 0ince you are more concerned
about your uniform, you will not be able to absorb the things that
the teacher has ust said. Instead of helping you out, your uniform
can actually get in the way of learning. 0o if you as) me about, it
shouldnt be mandatory.4. Uniforms can be CostlySchool Uniforms are
spendy. "ou should probably put that money elsewhere"hose who are
in favor of uniforms believe that they are cheaper alternatives,
because the students have to wear them every day. "hat is actually
a point of contention, as uniforms are very costly too< In fact,
Americans spend about ;%E4 on uniforms yearly. When you compound
all the people that have to buy school uniforms, it totals to ;$
billion annually. "hats the cost of the -hicago -ubs, 9A 9a)ers,
and the "oronto 7aple 9eafs >each team, of course.? .ec), you
can buy the 0olomon Islands for ;$ billion.0adly, the spending does
not stop there. "he )ids are continuously growing, so that means
they could outgrow their uniforms anytime soon. In some
institutions, the uniforms are changed when students transition to
middle school, unior high or senior high. 0o thats ;%E4 >even
more? every time theres a need to change uniforms or buy bigger
ones.Although the cost is viewed reasonable by middle(class or
well(to(do families, the cost can be a burden for the lower(class
families. "his is especially the case for those who turn to public
schools for free education. "hey thought that they can provide
their )ids with free education, but it turns out they have to spend
some anyway. "he additional costs are on the rise now, since more
and more public school districts are now requiringtheir students to
wear uniforms.With that being said, uniforms are sometimes costlier
than civilian clothing. In the midst of recession, every penny
counts. 0o instead of buying e!pensive uniform, why not let the
children wear what they already have?3. Uniforms %ncoura#e
Conformity & instead of 'ersonalitySchool Uniforms Should be
#liminated because too much conformity is a bad thing.-hildren are
always taught to brea) free and stand out. /ut with uniforms, the
schools are actually lobbying for the opposite. 1niforms actually
force students to )owtow to the rules of conformity. After all, a
pupil needs to wear something that is prescribed for everybody, not
something that e!presses his individuality.@eople who are for
uniforms say that it promotes social conformity, so the less(to(do
dont have to be pressured to )eep up with their well(off
contemporaries. 1nfortunately, it does not wor) that way. "hey
still are forced to spend because the school requires their
children to wear costly uniforms."hey might also say that students
can e!press their personalities in other ways, by way of
accessories, purses, or a new hairstyle. Gews *lashA some
institutions prohibit it too. And for those who dont, such can
create disparity. In an effort to e!press individuality, students
will struggle to wear the newest trends, which are often e!pensive.
Again, it is a massive blow to the familys finances./ut there are
more problems with conformity than ust the economic burden. "he
homogeneity that uniforms promote can dampen the students
creativity and artistic growth. 0omeone who is used to loo)ing li)e
the others will have no drive to e!press hispersonality. As such,
the student might end up ust #blending with the society, instead of
ma)ing his mar) in the world.1niforms create conformists, not
insightful minds and intuitive thin)ers. "hin) of all the brilliant
ideas we stand to lose in the future.2. Uniforms (iolate the First
Amendment of the US ConstitutionSchool Uniforms should be banned
because they violate students $irst Amendment %ight to free
e&pression"he *irst Amendment of the 10 -onstitution guarantees
one the freedom of religion, assembly, and right to petition. 7ost
importantly, it assures a citi=ens freedom to e!pression.
1nfortunately, this is inherently violated by requiring the
students to wear uniforms.*reedom of e!pression is not ust about
saying what you want to say, its also about see)ing and imparting
ideas, regardless of limits and boundaries. ,!pressing your
ideologies, beliefs and philosophies, unfortunately, are hindered
by school uniforms. "hats because you are forced to wear something
you dont believe in. You are no longer given a chance to e!press
your ideas, which you can impart simply by choosing the clothes you
li)e to wear.As far as I )now, we live in a free world 3 in a free
country >unless youre in Gorth Horea, of course. And if you are,
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