10 Reasons School Uniforms Are a Bad Idea

and School Uniforms Should Be Banned

In 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 Uniforms
Although the uniform requirement has just been recently imposed, uniforms have been
in existence for several centuries now. The first documented usage of a standard
garment in education was in 1222, where students were required to wear a cappa
clausa or a robe-like outfit.
Fast forward to 16th century England, students of the Christ Hospital Boarding School
became the fathers of the modern school uniform. These children wore blue cassocks
and yellow stockings, to mirror the look of the clergymen who looked after them. Up to
now, this uniform is still in use, making it the oldest uniform in history.
School Uniforms in the United States
While the English have long been using uniforms, the United States was quite loose
with the uniform system. Only the students of private and parochial schools were first
required to wear uniforms at least until 1987. Maryland and Washington DC were the
first states to implement uniforms in public schools. Later on, other states followed suit.
Despite such changes, all states are not compelled to require uniforms. However, more
and more school districts are going against this ruling. If your school directors are
thinking of doing so, then make sure to let them read these top 10 reasons why school
uniforms are a bad idea.

10. Uniforms Only Fuel Commercial

Interests

School uniforms are too spendy and simply line the pockets of corporate fat cats.

Sad as it might seem, uniforms are only stimulating commercial interests. They are not
solving the concerns that they are geared for. In fact, numerous companies treat the
uniform system as a major source of revenue. After all, Americans shell out a whopping
$1 billion dollars every year!
Because of the limitless profits that go with uniforms, it comes as no surprise why more
and more corporations are lobbying for the requirement of these homogenized outfits.
Institutions such as Lands End are funding marketing efforts specifically targeted
towards public schools. Similar institutions are also subsidizing studies that advocate
the effectiveness of uniforms. So if you read an article that says uniforms are beneficial,
there is a huge probability that it is biased.
With that being said, its fair to say that such institutions are supporting studies on
uniforms not because of concern, but because of the impact it has on their businesses.
It can be said that they are selling their uniforms not because the students need it, but
because they can earn lots from it. Why rally behind a cause that will not really benefit
you or your child, for that matter?

While revenues that come from uniforms stimulate the American economy, they dont
support it the right way. Consumers sadly, the low-income ones suffer a lot because
of these commercial interests. You wouldnt want the poor to get the poorer, and the rich
to get richer especially if its the wrong, selfish way. Although it isnt obvious, uniforms
do fuel wicked commercial interests, and they should be stopped before more hardwasted money is lost.

9. Uniforms can be Detrimental to

Adult Development

Imposing a school uniform requirement is degrades development

The path to adult development is honed throughout the duration of early schooling.
However, your transition towards adulthood can be hindered with uniforms. Since it is
mandatory, you are not given the chance to decide for yourself, which is one of the
hallmarks of adulthood.
You know you are an adult when you are given the freedom to choose whether you
like this or that. When you were young, you know you are not an adult yet because your
parents (aka the adults) made the decision for you.
However, when you are restricted to wearing uniforms in school, you are denied the
opportunity to make decisions for yourself. After all, you do not have a choice because
the others have already made it for you.

Although this issue might be seen as a simple one, it can have a huge toll in a childs
transition to adulthood. Because he was not able to make choices when he was young,
he will most likely be unprepared for the rigors of the adult world.
This dilemma is rightly reflected in Erik Eriksons stages of psychosocial development.
The stage of adolescence is seen as a crucial one, for in this phase the person asks
who he is and what he can be. Most importantly, he can either develop identity or role
confusion.
Clothing is considered as one of the means of building an identity, and without the
freedom to choose, the development of such as well as his transition to adulthood
can be severely dampened.

8. Uniforms can affect ones SelfImage

Beauty standards are stressful. Imagine trying to keep up while wearing an ugly uniform. School Uniforms should be
banned

Uniforms aim to give everybody a homogenous look, right? Instead of improving a

students self-image because he looks just like the others, it actually does the opposite.
Students have different weights, body types and heights. Whenever one looks at
himself in the mirror, he depreciates his self-image because he feels like he doesnt look
his best.
Unfortunately, this case is often seen in girls, who feel embarrassed when they go to
school in uniforms. According to development psychologists, ladies have the huge
tendency to compare how they look in uniforms. This is especially the case when the
student sees herself to have a curvy or plus-size body. This also happens to girls who
deem themselves very short or very tall.

I can go on and on about how uniforms affect self-image, but the most concrete
evidence proves to be the results of a study conducted by researchers from the Arizona
State University. The paper, entitled Public School Uniforms: Effect on Perceptions of
Gang Presence, School Climate, and Student Self-Perceptions, shows that students
who are not required to wear school uniforms demonstrated higher self-perception
scores. That means these students have better views of self-image, compared to those
who have to suffer the pains of wearing uniforms to school.

7. Uniforms Actually Attract

Bullies

School Uniforms Can Actually Cause an Increase in Bullying and they should be Banned.

If you thought that requiring all students to wear uniforms can lessen the chances of
bullying, you are dead wrong! In fact, it can actually increase the incidence of bullying,
especially in school districts where violence rates are soaring.
A 1999 study conducted by experts from Texas Southern University showed that
bullying incidents increased by as much as 12%, after the implementation of mandatory
uniform wearing.
Echoing this sentiment is a 2007 study published in the Southwest Journal of Criminal
Justice. According to the research, assaults increased by as much as 14 incidences
yearly, right after the introduction of school uniforms.

A similar finding was discovered by the Office of Education, Evaluation, and

Management of the Miami-Dade County. Violence, especially in the middle schools,
increased by a hundred fold after the students were required to wear uniforms.
Simply put, research shows that uniforms do not actually stop bullying. People think that
these can stop the violence, but they actually dont. Even when everybodys wearing the
same thing, a students distinct personality will still stand out.
Although clothes serve as a primary basis for violence and bullying, bullies eventually
find another way to show their status that they are still better than their
contemporaries.
According to academician Tony Volk, an expert on bullying, There is no evidence in
bullying literature that supports a reduction in violence due to school uniforms. Even
minus the uniform, he adds that bullies can come up with other reasons that can justify
violence and aggression towards their fellow students.

6.

Uniforms are Boring!

School Uniforms are so boring They should be banned and eliminated for good.

Whatever way you look at it, homogeneity is definitely boring. Seeing the same thing
over and over again can be a ghastly sight for most. The fact that uniforms are boring is
a definite reason why requiring it in schools is a bad idea.

There are many reasons why uniforms boring, and I could go on and on. But Im not
writing a novel, so Ill make my reasons short and sweet.
First, uniforms are boring because of their colors. More often than not, uniforms come in
the most tedious of colors. Its always navy blue, green, khaki, black and other dull
colors. Pro-uniforms say these clothes help prepare the children for their future
occupations. The last I checked I was allowed to wear lively clothes at work (as long as
they are respectable-looking, of course.)
Another reason why uniforms suck is the patterns. Its always checkered or plaid, if you
are lucky enough that your uniform does not come in a single block color.
And to further add insult to injury, you have to wear the same, boring day every freaking
school day. Could I get an amen on this?
School can be boring at times so why require students to wear uniforms that are just
as (if not more than) boring? If we want our kids to enjoy school no matter how hard
the lessons might be a great start would be to let them wear clothes that theyll be
happy in.

5.

Uniforms can be Uncomfortable

School Uniforms Should be Banned Because theyre uncomfortable.

There are so many reasons why uniforms are a bad idea, and one that most of us could
relate to is the fact that it can be so darn uncomfortable. I can hardly find a uniformwearer who says that she feels cozy and snug in her boring attire.
Short skirts can sometimes be too short, that a gust of wind can easily expose your
underpants. Some uniforms are made from unpleasant fabrics that will make you itch
from the first class to the last class. Some are so badly-designed that they can make the
wearer look bigger or pudgier. Yes, there are so many things that can make uniforms so
horrendously uncomfortable.
Perhaps 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. Let me give you a scenario.
Say you have a short skirt. More often than not, you will end up tugging your skirt so
that your privates are not revealed for the world to see. This is especially the case when
you are sitting down. Since you are more concerned about your uniform, you will not be

able to absorb the things that the teacher has just said. Instead of helping you out, your
uniform can actually get in the way of learning. So if you ask me about, it shouldnt be
mandatory.

4.

Uniforms can be Costly

School Uniforms are spendy. You should probably put that money elsewhere

Those who are in favor of uniforms believe that they are cheaper alternatives, because
the students have to wear them every day. That is actually a point of contention, as
uniforms are very costly too! In fact, Americans spend about $249 on uniforms yearly.
When you compound all the people that have to buy school uniforms, it totals to $1
billion annually. Thats the cost of the Chicago Cubs, LA Lakers, and the Toronto Maple
Leafs (each team, of course.) Heck, you can buy the Solomon Islands for $1 billion.
Sadly, the spending does not stop there. The kids 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, junior high or senior
high. So thats $249 (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. This is especially the case for those who
turn to public schools for free education. They thought that they can provide their kids
with free education, but it turns out they have to spend some anyway. The additional
costs are on the rise now, since more and more public school districts are now requiring
their students to wear uniforms.
With that being said, uniforms are sometimes costlier than civilian clothing. In the midst
of recession, every penny counts. So instead of buying expensive uniform, why not let
the children wear what they already have?

3. Uniforms Encourage Conformity

instead of Personality

School Uniforms Should be Eliminated because too much conformity is a bad thing.

Children are always taught to break free and stand out. But with uniforms, the schools
are actually lobbying for the opposite. Uniforms actually force students to kowtow to the
rules of conformity. After all, a pupil needs to wear something that is prescribed for
everybody, not something that expresses his individuality.
People who are for uniforms say that it promotes social conformity, so the less-to-do
dont have to be pressured to keep up with their well-off contemporaries. Unfortunately,

it does not work that way. They still are forced to spend because the school requires
their children to wear costly uniforms.
They might also say that students can express their personalities in other ways, by way
of accessories, purses, or a new hairstyle. News Flash: some institutions prohibit it too.
And for those who dont, such can create disparity. In an effort to express individuality,
students will struggle to wear the newest trends, which are often expensive. Again, it is
a massive blow to the familys finances.
But there are more problems with conformity than just the economic burden. The
homogeneity that uniforms promote can dampen the students creativity and artistic
growth. Someone who is used to looking like the others will have no drive to express his
personality. As such, the student might end up just blending with the society, instead of
making his mark in the world.
Uniforms create conformists, not insightful minds and intuitive thinkers. Think of all the
brilliant ideas we stand to lose in the future.

2. Uniforms Violate the First

Amendment of the US Constitution

School Uniforms should be banned because they violate students First Amendment Right to free expression

The First Amendment of the US Constitution guarantees one the freedom of religion,
assembly, and right to petition. Most importantly, it assures a citizens freedom to
expression. Unfortunately, this is inherently violated by requiring the students to wear
uniforms.
Freedom of expression is not just about saying what you want to say, its also about
seeking and imparting ideas, regardless of limits and boundaries. Expressing your
ideologies, beliefs and philosophies, unfortunately, are hindered by school uniforms.
Thats because you are forced to wear something you dont believe in. You are no
longer given a chance to express your ideas, which you can impart simply by choosing
the clothes you like to wear.
As far as I know, we live in a free world in a free country (unless youre in North
Korea, of course. And if you are, Im happy that you were able to access the internet!)
We have the right to voice our preferences and beliefs. If wearing a unique brand of
clothing is one way for us to do so, then why should the authorities hamper us from
expressing ourselves individually?

People dont take this seriously, that uniforms violate the Constitution. But if this
happens on another platform, it would be immediately tagged as a clear and direct
violation of the First Amendment.
As the Star-Spangled Banner says, this is the land of the free. If students are deprived
of freedom of expression by requiring them to wear uniforms then the United States
no longer proves to be the land of the free anymore.

1. Simply Put, Uniforms are

Generally Disliked!

School Uniforms Should Be Banned Because Kids Hate Them. I mean this poor guy has a headache this big because of
his uniform

If only Facebook had a dislike button, mandatory uniforms would receive the thumbs
down from students all over the globe. Thats because no student likes uniforms! You
can search every corner in the world and no pupil would say that he loves his uniform.
There have been numerous polls made to determine the acceptance of school uniforms,
and most of them show that students are against them. Take the case of the Harford
County Public School students, wherein 87.9% are in strong disfavor of the mandatory
uniform system.
The parents of school children feel the same way as well. According to the Rasmussen
Reports, 47% of parents are against school uniforms, compared to the 41% who are in
favor of school dresses. 12% still remain undecided on the issue.

So why are uniforms despised by learners and their parents as well? There are many
reasons why, and we have enumerated most of them. Let me repeat it again for those
who still dont get the drift that school uniforms are a terrible idea.
Uniforms fuel commercial interests, and they are detrimental to adult development.
They affect self-image, and even attract bullying and violence.
In terms are usage, uniforms prove to be uncomfortable and costly. They can be very
boring to wear and look at as well. Apart from being generally disliked, uniforms are a
direct violation to the first amendment of the US Constitution. I can go on and on, but
these do sum up the reasons why school uniforms are a bad idea.
Final Words
While some studies show that school uniforms have numerous benefits, there are just
as many reasons why requiring students to wear them is a bad idea.
For one, it only fuels commercial interests. Companies that will benefit from the profits
are actually spending a lot on marketing campaigns, as well as researches that prove
uniforms to be advantageous.
Secondly, uniforms can be detrimental to adult development. Impeding ones freedom to
choose can take a toll on his transition to adult life.
Thirdly, uniforms can negatively affect a students self-image. Uniforms fit people
differently. As in the case of girls, who think of themselves badly because their uniforms
dont fit them well.
Fourthly, uniforms actually attract bullies! The staggering results of numerous
researches show that they do little to curb violence in school.
In terms of personal style, uniforms are a bad idea because they are boring. Imagine
wearing the same thing over and over again until you graduate.
Apart from being boring, uniforms are highly uncomfortable as well. Ugly fabrics and
predetermined lengths can make the wearer feel uneasy, and in the end he might focus
on his uniform rather than the lesson at hand.
The high cost is another reason why uniforms should be banned. Instead of simply
getting free public school education, parents are forced to spend as much as $249
every year.
In terms of personal development, uniforms promote conformity rather than individuality.
The homogeneity that results in this can get in the way of the students creativity and
artistic freedom.

Most importantly, the ruling on uniforms violates the First Amendment of the US
Constitution. It disregards the persons freedom of expression, because he is not able to
show his ideologies, and philosophies concerning clothing.
Last but not the least, school uniforms are a bad idea because they are generally
disliked. If the students dont like them, why should we force them to wear these
garments anyway?