Wearing School Uniforms

School uniforms have been typical in every school here in our country, making them an

essential part of a student's life journey. One school uniform can be used as a lifetime memory of

someone belonging to an institution. However, even though students wearing this outfit have

already been a familiar sight for us, some people argue that it has no significance in a student's

life. The topic of school uniforms and whether they can help provide a better learning

environment for the students have been a controversial issue as people have varying opinions on

the matter. However, we believe that school uniforms provide a good learning environment for

students by reducing bullying related to socioeconomic status, promoting unity, and managing

behavioral issues. After the school uniform policy was implemented at Sparks Middle School,

the number of disciplinary referrals to students decreased by 10% compared to the previous year.

The police department also noted that the log reports were reduced by 63% during the first year

of policy implementation. That being the case, school uniforms should be implemented in

institutions since it helps minimize bullying related to one's socioeconomic status, promote unity

and harmony among students, and positively affect students' behavior.

School uniforms are specifically designed to distinguish between male and female

students. In the Philippines, people are becoming more and more open with their preferred

gender orientation, even if others don't seem to have fully grasped the thought that there are

persons who don't classify themselves as male or female. Most of us understand other people's

chosen gender, not further adding to the fuel of gender stereotypes in our country. But, if these

people are classified as students, they might not wear the school uniform that best describes their

personality as uniforms are only tailored for two sexes. Hence, these differences can cause issues
related to gender inequality among the students. School uniform policies usually require female

students to wear blouses and skirts while male students are tasked to wear polos and trousers,

which can visibly impose harmful gender stereotypes. Alongside this, school uniforms can cause

students to think that clothes are gendered and that only certain genders can wear specific pieces

of clothing. This mindset can also be harmful to the students. Despite that, we must know that

gender inequality and stereotypes are deep-rooted issues that cannot be solved by removing a

single policy. If one wishes for schools to respect one's preferred gender, the best thing is to

implement more orientations and subjects that further discuss this matter. In this way, teachers or

speakers can shift students' mindsets by using coherent and factual modes. Additionally, school

uniforms can teach students that everyone should be respected regardless of a person's clothing.

Just because female students wear skirts does not mean that they deserve less respect than when

they wear trousers.

Wearing school uniforms can help reduce bullying related to the students' socioeconomic

status. One of the most common reasons why bullying in schools occurs is that some students of

a higher social status act entitled and belittle those of lower social status. One way these students

can scout for their prey is by judging other students based on the clothes they wear. Those who

are born into wealthier families tend to wear high-end clothes. In contrast, those who are not

born into money tend to wear simpler clothes, and this creates a distinction between the social

classes, making it easier for lower-class students to be targeted. However, this division between

the students can be minimized with uniforms as everyone has to wear the same clothes.

According to the Schoolwear Association (2017), most students and teachers believe that school
uniforms help reduce bullying. In particular, 8 out of 10 teachers who participated in the study

shared that uniforms can prevent bullying related to the students' physical appearance and

financial status. Students who do not have the financial means to wear branded and expensive

clothes to keep up with the rapidly changing fashion trends no longer need to be conscious of

their clothes. Bullies will also no longer be able to easily find their next victim as they cannot use

clothes as a basis of another student's socioeconomic status. As the bullying related to the

socioeconomic standing of the students is lessened, students of lower classes will no longer be

isolated, which can help build a stronger sense of unity among the student body.

Being involved in an environment where all people wear the same school uniforms can

give students a feeling of belongingness. Just like when someone joins a community or a friend

group with the same interests, this will encourage them to stay because this is where they are

much appreciated and understood. This thing can most likely happen in students inside an

institution, putting the topic of school uniforms in focus. There will be a unified structure within

a community by wearing school uniforms, further resonating the school spirit among students.

According to an article by the West Virginia Academy, school uniforms can strengthen the

school spirit and loyalty among students, especially during school events where they see their

representatives wearing the same colors and clothes. They also state that it can help create a

sense of belongingness by noticing that they are already united and are cooperative with one

another in simple gestures like this. As students wear the same school uniforms as their fellow

peers, they can witness unity among themselves. This leads them to think that they truly belong

in their specified community, which can later inspire them to carry the name of their school by

respecting its banner and ensuring that their behavior coincides with bringing glory and pride to

the school's image where they belong to. In return, this sense of pride can cause students to have
more respect for their school, making them aware of how they behave so as not to put dirt on the

institution's name.

Making students wear school uniforms can improve punctuality and discipline amongst

students. When students wear school uniforms while going to other places such as malls or

anywhere else besides their school, they tend to become more disciplined and more punctual, not

to tarnish the reputation of the school they are representing. They become more aware of their

actions and consequences as these can affect how people who are not part of the institution

perceive the school and its people. A sense of responsibility also grows within the students as

they realize that the school's name is in their hands. Students wearing school uniforms also

lessen absences, as when a student is seen cutting class while wearing a school uniform, they are

easily caught and can be disciplined by the school not to repeat what they did. According to a

study done by the University of Houston (2010), wearing school uniforms can positively impact

students' grades, attendance, and behavior. Their findings show bolstered attendance, academics,

and behavior in middle and high school once their schools adopted uniforms. Students are using

their uniforms to represent the school they are attending, and they should be mindful of their

actions and manners wherever they may be, thus making students better once they wear school

uniforms.

Wearing school uniforms is a significant way of providing the students with an impactful

learning environment. It reduces the number of bullying concerning one's socioeconomic status,

promotes and emphasizes unity making students feel the essence of belongingness essential for

one's personality, and manages the student's behavioral misconduct and issues. Therefore, given

these benefits wearing school uniforms can provide, schools should observe the stricter
implementation of wearing school uniforms by providing sanctions to those who will not follow

as long as these sanctions will help them comprehend more the importance of wearing school

uniforms in a class basis. Other people might still not agree with this. Still, shreds of evidence

are appropriately laid out explaining why school uniforms help provide a better learning

environment for students.