Meta description: School uniforms establish a sense of identity among students, but should they be mandatory in high schools?
A standard uniform is one of the ways of establishing an identity of affiliation to an institution. However, does it have to conform to high school levels? Schools generally tend to relax the school uniform policy for older students - but many schools feel that certain conduct on the dress code is necessary. While 10% of schools in the US have policies on uniforms, more than 50% of them have strict dress codes in place. But the question is should high school students have to wear a uniform at all?
Research by the College of Education finds that 90% of students are unwilling to wear uniforms. Here are some reasons why high school students should not have to wear uniforms -
Restricts Individuality
As children grow older, they need to learn to express their individuality. Wearing a certain type of clothes, picking the right colors, not overdressing, or dressing for school are some of the lessons they can learn on their own if there are no uniforms. Not having a uniform gives students the freedom of self-expression as they can choose the clothes they want to wear.
Uniforms are Expensive
Not every family can afford to get a new uniform each year. At times, parents buy bigger sizes to use for later years. But a loose and long uniform will lower the child’s self-esteem. Uniforms are not just formal clothes - they also include footwear, which is an extra cost. These expenses can be burdensome for parents.
Doesn’t Bridge the Inequality
Many people support the idea of implementing school uniform policies as it bridges the socio-economic disparity, because everyone wears the same clothes. Yet, a uniform is not the only element that conveys one’s background. A student’s socioeconomic status can be indicated by other stationery, books, their commute to school, their behavior, and so on. The uniform is not the sole factor to bridge the socioeconomic gap.
They are Uncomfortable
At the high school level, uniforms can get uncomfortable for some students. Usually, girls’ uniforms are skirts and shirts, but nowadays with gender roles becoming blurred, girls could feel uncomfortable in a skirt. Girls cannot jump, kick or run if they are dressed in skirts, especially in high school, and tend to become more conscious as they approach puberty. A study by Victoria University inferred that flexible school uniform policies improve girls’ participation and readiness in sports.
Can Give Rise to Rebellion
If school uniforms are meant to promote good responsible behavior, it can actually turn into the opposite of desired results. Making something mandatory can cause revulsion towards it. So instead of promoting cooperation, a group of students who dislike the uniform would rather start a rebellion against wearing them. Some students may go ahead and make some sort of alterations (make cuts, take off buttons, or color) to the uniform, just to promote their dislike for the uniform. It promotes more disrespect for the institution and could prompt other students to do so too.
Does Not Affect Academic Performance
A piece of clothing may have little or no difference in how well the students perform in their academics. A uniform only gives them an identity of belonging to an institution however, that does not cultivate a motivation to study. So, if students feel uncomfortable in their school uniforms, they may avoid coming to school at all.
The decision of implementing a uniform policy in high school should be taken after consulting students. A little survey can help gauge their preferences and if the majority expresses a negative opinion, it should be considered, because after all, it is the students who need to wear them.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who invented school uniforms?
School uniforms date back to the 16th century UK. Christ’s Hospital School in England was the first school to have a uniform.
2. How many schools around the world have uniform policies?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 20% of all public schools have mandatory uniforms. Approximately 22% of elementary schools, 19% of all middle schools, and 10% of high schools need uniforms.
3. Why do most schools in America have no uniforms?
American schools do not have compulsory uniforms to encourage students the freedom to express themselves, instead of conforming to them.
4. How do school uniforms increase safety?
School uniforms promote discipline and resist the peer pressure of wearing good clothes. It helps to identify intruders and gang members, thus promoting safety.
5. Which country has no school uniforms?
Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Poland are some of the countries that do not have a mandate on school uniforms.
