Should Students Have to Wear School Uniforms?
- History of School Uniforms
Traditionally favored by private and parochial institutions , school uniforms are being adopted by US public schools in increasing numbers. According to a 2020 report, the percentage of public schools that required school uniforms jumped from 12% in the 1999-2000 school year to 20% in the 2017-18 school year. School uniforms were most frequently required by elementary schools (23%), followed by middle (18%), and high schools (10%).
The first recorded use of standardized dress in education may have been in England in 1222, when the Archbishop of Canterbury mandated that students wear a robe-like outfit called the “ cappa clausa .” The origin of the modern school uniform can be traced to 16th Century England, when the impoverished “charity children” attending the Christ’s Hospital boarding school wore blue cloaks reminiscent of the cassocks worn by clergy, along with yellow stockings. As of Sep. 2014, students at Christ’s Hospital were still wearing the same uniform, and according to the school it is the oldest school uniform still in use. When Christ’s Hospital surveyed its students in 2011, 95% voted to keep the traditional uniforms. Read more history…
Pro & Con Arguments
Pro 1 School uniforms deter crime and increase student safety. In Long Beach, California, after two years of a district-wide K-8 mandatory uniform policy, reports of assault and battery in the district’s schools decreased by 34%, assault with a deadly weapon dropped by 50%, fighting incidents went down by 51%, sex offenses were cut by 74%, robbery dropped by 65%, possession of weapons (or weapon “look-alikes”) decreased by 52%, possession of drugs went down by 69%, and vandalism was lowered by 18%. [ 64 ] One year after Sparks Middle School in Nevada instituted a uniform policy, school police data showed a 63% drop in police log reports, and decreases were also noted in gang activity, student fights, graffiti, property damage, and battery. A peer-reviewed study found that schools with uniform policies had 12% fewer firearm-related incidents and 15% fewer drug-related incidents than schools without uniforms. [ 25 ] [ 69 ] School uniforms also prevent students from concealing weapons under baggy clothing, make it easier to keep track of students on field trips, and make intruders on campus more visible. Frank Quatrone, superintendent in the Lodi school district of New Jersey, states, “When you have students dressed alike, you make them safer. If someone were to come into a building, the intruder could easily be recognized.” [ 6 ] [ 38 ] Further, school uniforms create a level playing field among students, reducing peer pressure and bullying. When all students are dressed alike, competition between students over clothing choices and the teasing of those who are dressed in less expensive or less fashionable outfits can be eliminated. Research by the Schoolwear Association found that 83% of teachers thought “a good school uniform… could prevent bullying based on appearance or economic background.” Arminta Jacobson, Founder and Director of the Center for Parent Education at the University of North Texas, states that uniforms put “all kids on the same playing field in terms of their appearance. I think it probably gives them a sense of belonging and a feeling of being socially accepted.” [ 5 ] [ 91 ] And, school uniforms prevent the display of gang colors and insignia, reducing gang activity and pressure to join on school property. The U.S. Department of Education’s Manual on School Uniforms stated that uniform policies can “prevent gang members from wearing gang colors and insignia at school” in order to “encourage a safe environment.” Educators in the Long Beach Unified School District have speculated that the sharp reduction in crime following the introduction of school uniforms was a result of gang conflicts being curbed. Osceola County, Florida School Board member Jay Wheeler reports that the county’s schools had a 46% drop in gang activity after their first full school year with a mandatory K-12 uniform policy. Wheeler explains that “clothing is integral to gang culture… Imagine a U.S. Armed Forces recruiter out of uniform trying to recruit new soldiers; the success rate goes down. The same applies to gang recruitment.” [35] [37] [67] [ 35 ] [ 37 ] [ 67 ] Read More
Pro 2 School uniforms keep students focused on their education, not their clothes. The National Association of Secondary School Principals states, “When all students are wearing the same outfit, they are less concerned about how they look and how they fit in with their peers; thus, they can concentrate on their schoolwork.” And a study by the University of Houston found that elementary school girls’ language test scores increased by about three percentile points after uniforms were introduced. [ 1 ] [ 15 ] Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton advocates school uniforms as a way to help students focus on learning: “Take that [clothing choices] off the table and put the focus on school, not on what you’re wearing.” Chris Hammons, Principal of Woodland Middle School in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, explains that uniforms “provide for less distraction, less drama, and more of a focus on learning.” [ 30 ] [ 70 ] Wearing uniforms also enhances school pride, unity, and community spirit, which can boost interest in education. A study of over 1,000 Texas middle school students found that students in uniform “reported significantly more positive perceptions of belonging in their school community than reported by students in the standard dress group.” Christopher P. Clouet, former Superintendent of the New London Public Schools in Connecticut, stated that “the wearing of uniforms contributes to school pride.” Arnold Goldstein, PhD, head of the Center for Research on Aggression at Syracuse University, points out that uniforms help troubled students feel they have the support of a community: “There is a sense of belonging.” Further, “teachers perceived an increase in the level of respect, caring, and trust… throughout the school” and “students are made to feel ‘important’ and as if they are a part of a team by wearing a uniform,” according to a peer-reviewed study. [ 3 ] [ 20 ] [ 31 ] [ 33 ] Plus, school uniforms can improve attendance and discipline. A study by researchers at the University of Houston found that the average absence rate for girls in middle and high school decreased by 7% after the introduction of uniforms, and behavioral problems lessened in severity. School uniforms make getting ready for school easier, which can improve punctuality. When uniforms are mandatory, parents and students do not spend time choosing appropriate outfits for the school day. According to a national survey, over 90% of US school leaders believe school uniform or formal dress code policies “eliminate wardrobe battles with kids,” make it “easier to get kids ready in the morning,” and create a “time saving in the morning.” Tracey Marinelli, Superintendent of the Lyndhurst School District in New Jersey, credits the district’s uniform policy for reducing the number of students running late. Lyndhurst student Mike Morreale agrees, stating that “it’s so much easier to dress than having to search for clothes and find out that something doesn’t match.” A Youngstown State University study of secondary schools in Ohio’s eight largest school districts found that school uniform policies improve rates of attendance, graduation, and suspension. [ 1 ] [ 6 ] [ 7 ] [ 27 ] [ 32 ] During the first semester of a mandatory uniform program at John Adams Middle School in Albuquerque, NM, discipline referrals dropped from 1,565 during the first semester of the year prior to 405, a 74% decrease. Macquarie University (Australia) researchers found that in schools across the world where uniform policies are enforced, students “are more disciplined” and “listen significantly better, there are lower noise levels, and lower teaching waiting times with classes starting on time.” [ 68 ] [ 89 ] Wasted time in classrooms is reduced because uniform policies save valuable class time because they are easier to enforce than a standard dress code. Doris Jo Murphy, former Director of Field Experiences at the University of North Texas College of Education, states, “As an elementary assistant principal in two suburban districts, I can tell you that the dress code took up a great deal of my time in the area of discipline… I wished many times that we had uniforms because the issue of skirts or shorts being too short, and baggy jeans and pants on the boys not being pulled up as they needed to be, would have been a non-issue.” Lyndhurst, NJ school district superintendent Tracey Marinelli had a similar experience before a uniform policy was introduced: “Kids were spending time in the office because they were not fulfilling the dress code… That was time away from class.” [ 5 ] [ 6 ] Read More
Pro 3 Students’ legal right to free expression remains intact with mandatory school uniforms. The 1969 U.S. Supreme Court case Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, which concerned the wearing of black armbands to protest the Vietnam War, confirmed that students’ constitutional right to free speech “does not relate to regulation of the length of skirts or the type of clothing.” Wearing one’s own choice of shirt or pants is not the “pure speech” protected by the Constitution. [ 18 ] [ 28 ] In Canady v. Bossier Parish School Board (3-0, 2001), the US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a school board’s right to implement a mandatory uniform policy, stating that requiring uniforms for the purpose of increasing test scores and improving discipline “is in no way related to the suppression of student speech. [Students] remain free to wear what they want after school hours. Students may still express their views through other mediums during the school day.” [ 18 ] [ 29 ] Besides, students can still express their individuality in school uniforms by introducing variations and adding accessories. Junior high school student Amelia Jimenez wrote in her op-ed for the Pennsylvania Patriot-News that “contrary to popular belief, uniforms do not stop students from being themselves. Uniforms do not silence voices. Students can wear a variety of expressive items, such as buttons or jewlery.” Students can inject their personal style into their daily look with hairstyles, nail polish, and colorful accessories such as bags, scarfs, and fun socks. 54% of eighth-graders said they could still express their individuality while wearing school uniforms. [ 61 ] [ 62 ] [ 65 ] Further, students dressed in uniform are better perceived by teachers and peers. A 1994 peer-reviewed study found that students in uniform were perceived by teachers and fellow students as being more academically proficient than students in regular clothes. The study also found that students in uniform were perceived by peers and teachers as having higher academic potential, and perceived by peers as being better behaved. Students need to learn a balance between free expression and working within the confines of expectations. [ 4 ] Read More
Con 1 School uniforms do not stop bullying and can actually increase violent attacks. “Overall, there is no evidence in bullying literature that supports a reduction in violence due to school uniforms, explains Tony Volk, Associate Professor at Brock University. The oft-quoted improvements to school safety and student behavior in the Long Beach (CA) Unified School District from 1993-1995 may not have resulted from the introduction of school uniforms. The study in which the findings were published cautioned that “it is not clear that these results are entirely attributable to the uniform policy” and suggests that the introduction of new school security measures made at the same time may have been partly responsible. [ 64 ] [ 85 ] Further, a peer-reviewed study found that “school uniforms increased the average number of assaults by about 14 [per year] in the most violent schools.” A Texas Southern University study found that school discipline incidents rose by about 12% after the introduction of uniforms. And, according to the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Office of Education Evaluation and Management, fights in middle schools nearly doubled within one year of introducing mandatory uniforms. [ 14 ] [ 26 ] [ 72 ] [ 73 ] Discipline problems increase in part because school uniforms emphasize the socio-economic divisions they are supposed to eliminate. Most public schools with uniform policies are in low-income neighborhoods (47% of high-poverty public schools required school uniforms vs. 6% of low poverty schools), emphasizing the class distinctions that uniforms were supposed to eliminate. Even within one school, uniforms cannot conceal the differences between the “haves” and the “have-nots.” David L. Brunsma explains that “more affluent families buy more uniforms per child. The less affluent… they have one… It’s more likely to be tattered, torn and faded. It only takes two months [after a uniform policy is implemented] for socioeconomic differences to show up again.” [ 9 ] [ 23 ] Read More
Con 2 School uniforms do not improve attendance, academic preparedness, or exam results. A study that analyzed a national sample of 10th graders found “no effects of uniforms on absenteeism, behavioral problems (fights, suspensions, etc.), or substance use on campus” and “no effects” on “pro-school attitudes, academic preparedness, and peer attitudes toward school.” [14][66] Brunsma also found a “negative effect of uniforms on academic achievement,” and later found that uniforms were equally ineffective on elementary students and eighth graders. A peer-reviewed study found “no significant effects of school uniforms on performance on second grade reading and mathematics examinations, as well as on 10th-grade reading, mathematics, science, and history examinations… [I]n many of the specifications, the results are actually negative.” [ 2 ] [ 14 ] The problems arise because focusing on uniforms takes attention away from finding genuine solutions to problems in education. Spending time and effort implementing uniform policies detracts from more effective efforts to reduce crime in schools and boost student performance. More substantive improvements to public education could be achieved with smaller class sizes, tightened security, increased parental involvement, improved facilities, and other measures. Tom Houlihan, former Superintendent of Schools in Oxford, North Carolina, stated that school uniforms “are a distraction from focusing on systematic and fundamental transformation to improve our schools.” [ 12 ] [ 14 ] [ 42 ] That uniform policies are a distraction is most evident when we realize that the push for school uniforms is driven by commercial interests rather than educational ones. Americans spend around $1 billion on school uniforms every year. Retailer J.C. Penney Co. says school uniforms are “a huge, important business for us.” In one year alone, uniform company Lands’ End spent $3 million on marketing efforts directed at public schools and districts. Multiple studies used to promote the effectiveness of uniforms were partly funded by Lands’ End, and at least one of those studies is “so wholly flawed as to render itself useless,” according to David L. Brunsma. Reuters reported that retailers were “sensing their opportunity… stepping up competition in the uniform aisles and online. Walmart has set up ‘uniform shops’ or temporary boutiques within some stores.” [ 14 ] [ 32 ] [ 43 ] [ 44 ] [ 74 ] The commercialization of school uniforms in public schools also undermines the promise of a free education by imposing an extra expense on families. Parents already pay taxes, and they still need to buy regular clothes for their children to wear when they’re out of school and for dress-down days. The Children’s Commission on Poverty (UK) found that over “95% of parents on low incomes reported difficulties in meeting school-related costs,” including uniforms, despite their children attending tuition-free schools. Anderson, Indiana, parents Laura and Scott Bell argued against their children’s school uniform policy, saying the $641 for their children’s uniforms broke the guarantee of a free public education. In York County, Pennsylvania, a local NBC affiliate reported that some children were missing class because their families couldn’t afford to purchase the required uniforms. And, all of that is before the uniform policies themselves are examined. Most operate like dress codes and are classist, racist, and sexist. [ 10 ] [ 84 ] [ 94 ] Read More
Con 3 School uniforms restrict students’ freedom of expression. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees that all individuals have the right to express themselves freely. The U.S. Supreme Court stated in Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969) that “it can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” [ 8 ] [ 28 ] In Sweden, a government agency, the School Inspectorate, determined that uniforms were a human rights violation because “dress and appearance should be considered an individual expression, decided by the students themselves.” Clothing choices are “a crucial form of self-expression,” according to the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada, which also states that “allowing students to choose their clothing is an empowering message from the schools that a student is a maturing person who is entitled to the most basic self-determination.” [ 7 ] [ 39 ] Uniforms take away the ability to use clothing as means of expressing support for social causes. Students at Friendly High School in Prince George’s County, MD, were not allowed to wear pink shirts to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month and 75 students received suspensions for breaking the school’s uniform restrictions. Removing these choices can delay the transition into adulthood. Adults make their own clothing choices and have the freedom to express themselves through their appearance. Denying children and teenagers the opportunity to make those choices may make them ill-prepared for the adult world. Adolescents see clothing choices as a means of identification, and seeking an identity is one of the critical stages of adolescence, according to the late developmental psychologist Erik Erikson. [ 11 ] [ 75 ] [ 76 ] [ 79 ] [ 80 ] When students have to wear the same outfits, rather than being allowed to select clothes that suit their body types, they can suffer embarrassment at school. Child and teen development specialist Robyn Silverman says that students, especially girls, tend to compare how each other looks in their uniforms: “As a body image expert, I hear from students all the time that they feel it allows for a lot of comparison… So if you have a body that’s a plus-size body, a curvier body, a very tall body, a very short body, those girls often feel that they don’t look their best.” A study by researchers at Arizona State University found that “students from schools without uniforms reported higher self-perception scores than students from schools with uniform policies.” Some students also find uniforms less comfortable than their regular clothes, which may not be conducive to learning. [ 21 ] [ 24 ] [ 75 ] Further, school uniforms promote conformity over individuality. Chicago, Illinois, junior high school student Kyler Sumter says: “They decide to teach us about people like Rosa Parks, Susan B. Anthony and Booker T. Washington… We learn about how these people expressed themselves and conquered and we can’t even express ourselves in the hallways.” Troy Shuman, a senior in Harford County, Maryland, said the introduction of a mandatory uniform policy to his school would be “teaching conformity and squelching individual thought. Just think of prisons and gangs. The ultimate socializer to crush rebellion is conformity in appearance. If a school system starts at clothes, where does it end?” [ 9 ] [ 60 ] In schools where uniforms are specifically gendered (girls must wear skirts and boys must wear pants), transgender, gender-fluid, and gender-nonconforming students can feel ostracized. Seamus, a 16-year-old transgender boy, stated, “sitting in a blouse and skirt all day made me feel insanely anxious. I wasn’t taken seriously. This is atrocious and damaging to a young person’s mental health; that uniform nearly destroyed me.” Late satirist George Carlin asked, “Don’t these schools do enough damage, making all these children think alike? Now they’re gonna get them to look alike, too?” [ 40 ] [ 86 ] Beyond student preference, parents should be free to choose their children’s clothes without government interference. One of the founders of the Wilson County (Louisiana) Parents Coalition, Richard Dashkovitz, states: “It’s time we let the government know that we are fed up with this. Quit dictating to us what my child should wear… [T]he government is intruding into our private lives, roles as parents and the lives of our children.” According to another parents’ rights group, Asserting Parental Rights — It’s Our Duty, mandatory uniform “policies trample parents’ right to raise children without government interference.” [ 10 ] [ 16 ] Read More
Did You Know? |
---|
1. The first school district in the United States to require all K-8 students to wear uniforms was Long Beach, CA, in Jan. 1994. [ ] [ ] |
2. Americans spend around $1 billion per year on school uniforms. [ ] [ ] |
3. Students at Eton, one of England's most prestigious schools, were required to wear black top hats and tails on and off campus until 1972. [ ] |
4. US schools with a minority student population of 50% or more are four times as likely to require uniforms than schools with a minority population of 20-49%, and 24 times more likely than schools with minority populations of 5%-19%. [ ] |
5. A government agency in Sweden declared that mandatory school uniforms were a human rights violation, stating that students should decide their dress and appearance as "a matter of the individual's freedom and integrity." [ ] |
More School Debate Topics |
---|
Our Latest Updates (archived after 30 days)
ProCon/Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. 325 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 200 Chicago, Illinois 60654 USA
Natalie Leppard Managing Editor [email protected]
© 2023 Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc. All rights reserved
- School Uniforms – Pros & Cons
- Pro & Con Quotes
- Did You Know?
Cite This Page
- Artificial Intelligence
- Private Prisons
- Space Colonization
- Social Media
- Death Penalty
- School Uniforms
- Video Games
- Animal Testing
- Gun Control
- Banned Books
- Teachers’ Corner
ProCon.org is the institutional or organization author for all ProCon.org pages. Proper citation depends on your preferred or required style manual. Below are the proper citations for this page according to four style manuals (in alphabetical order): the Modern Language Association Style Manual (MLA), the Chicago Manual of Style (Chicago), the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), and Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (Turabian). Here are the proper bibliographic citations for this page according to four style manuals (in alphabetical order):
[Editor's Note: The APA citation style requires double spacing within entries.]
[Editor’s Note: The MLA citation style requires double spacing within entries.]
Should Students Wear School Uniforms Essay (Tips and Sample)
School uniforms are a hotly contested debate, which makes it a controversial topic preferred for school essays. Even though writing a school uniform essay should be easy, students' confessions after being assigned both long and short essays on school uniform show mixed results. Most students who have been given an essay on school uniforms have highlighted it as exciting and tricky.
Well, to write an essay that will score you an excellent grade, you need to understand your perspective, viewpoint, or stand before writing. As yourself, whether you will support school uniforms or you will be against them in your essay.
In most cases, the essay can be argumentative where you argue either for or against, then proceed to state your stand on whether or not you support school uniforms in learning institutions. You can also write an informative essay or a persuasive school uniform essay.
This article covers some aspects to consider when writing such an essay, some suitable topics, and general advice on how to write an outstanding school uniforms essay.
How to begin a School Uniforms Essay
You aim to demystify the school uniforms debate. Therefore, you need to strategize on how to begin the essay. Like other essays, starting with an essay hook would make it interesting to the readers. After the hook, head straight to writing some background information on school uniforms. You can then incorporate a thesis statement that presents your central stance on the paper.
Here is a sample school uniform hook:
A recent study by North Dakota State University revealed that an average American household spends close to 3.8% of their income on clothing, translating to approximately $2000 annually per household.
The hook above is essential when you argue from a cost perspective where you say that school uniforms save families from expenditures on buying different clothes for kids, which equalizes the rich and poor households.
In your background, you can try reference instances when school uniforms have stirred public debates. Inform your reader about these debates and highlight the key issues you will handle in your essay.
At the end of the introduction paragraph, state your thesis statement.
What goes to the body of a school uniform essay?
With the introduction done, you now need to develop the body paragraphs. As a general rule, always maintain a single idea per paragraph. If you are doing your essay in a five-paragraph essay format, ensure that the body of your essay takes 80% of the total word count while the introduction and the conclusion each take 10%.
Here are some key ideas you can incorporate in the body of your essay:
- Explain the essence of having school uniforms on students, teachers, and learning institutions. Issues such as security and safety, uniformity, and promoting togetherness or unity as benefits. It is easy to spot a student in uniform. School uniforms also enforce some self-respect and self-worth among students. As well, uniforms foster a sense of belonging among students.
- Explore the issue from a cost-saving perspective for the parents. Unlike having different clothes daily, having a few pieces of school uniforms reduces the expenditure per household.
- Connect school uniforms to issues such as creativity, comfort, and affordability. Lack of funds, for instance, can hinder some families from sending their children to school as they have no school uniforms.
- You can also present the pros and cons of school uniforms
- Connect the school uniforms to identity formation
- School uniforms equalize students, which boosts their self-confidence
- School uniform makes students not be imaginative
- In the end, present recommendations that can solve the school uniform quagmire in schools
Like any other essay, ensure that your essay about school uniforms is engaging. Take a multi-stakeholder approach if you are recommending a policy.
If you have real-life examples of how school uniforms are beneficial, present them to support your body paragraphs. As you strive to present your viewpoints, ensure that each paragraph transitions to the next paragraph.
If possible, benchmark your arguments on schools that have successfully implemented school uniforms.
How to end an essay on school uniform
Like the introduction, the conclusion of your essay matters a lot. It can be the only place a marker checks to know what your stance was when writing your school uniforms essay.
Let your readers know whether school uniforms are good or not. Do not just stop there explore the why and why not for each of your points.
If there are recommendations, especially if you were writing an essay based on a school uniforms case study, present them in the conclusion.
DO not introduce new ideas that are not in your essay. However, crystalize and relate to your thesis and make sure your readers enjoy your essay to the last dot.
Sample School Uniforms Essay Topics
School uniform essays differ in perspective or stance, which hugely depends on the choice of topic. We can advise you to choose a school essay topic that has practical points and one that you can support with evidence from scholarly literature.
- Is school uniform a good thing?
- The importance of school uniforms
- Should students wear uniforms?
- Pros and Cons of school uniforms
- The negative impacts of school uniforms
- Rhetorical analysis of school uniforms
- Positive effects of school uniforms
- Are school uniforms a dress for success?
- Why schools should have uniforms
- History of school dress code
- School uniforms in private and public schools
- Should all schools have the same uniform?
- Are school uniforms necessary?
- School uniforms and diversity
- School uniforms and student discipline
- Comparison of school uniforms in U.S. and Japan
School Uniforms Essay Check List
With your essay written, ensure that it ticks most if not all these lists of facts that make a school uniform score great grades.
- Does the essay have a great hook?
- Is the background of your introduction relatable to the selected topic?
- Does the introduction have supporting facts from scholarly sources?
- Does your introduction have a clear thesis statement?
- Is the main idea clearly illustrated in the body?
- Does each body paragraph have an idea of its own?
- Does the essay have transition words for effective flow?
- Does the body discuss important concepts?
- Is the body paragraph having an opening sentence, facts, and closing sentence?
- Has all borrowed information been cited?
- Does the essay have strong evidence?
- Is the essay grammatically correct?
- Is the conclusion a summary of the argument?
- Has the thesis been restated?
- Is the conclusion flowing with the body of the essay?
- Has the essay used formal language?
- Are the sentences free from unnecessary words?
- Is the grammar and spelling in the essay correct?
- Are the references correct?
- Are the references recent?
- Are the sources used credible?
- Does the essay have a title and reference page?
Sample Argumentative Essay on Should Students Wear School Uniforms
Disclaimer – DO NOT COPY this sample essay. It is meant to help you see how you can present your essay ideas given your perspective/viewpoint. Submitting any part of this essay as your own might land you in trouble. We will not be in any way be a party to such consequences. If you need a model essay based on your selected topic for research purposes, please place an order or contact our support team for assistance with outlines, potential references, and some ideas on writing an excellent essay on school uniforms.
Numerous debates have been carried out on whether students should wear uniforms or not. Parents, teachers, students, and school administrations have all given their views on school uniforms with different arguments and opinions on all sides. Supporters of school uniforms argue that school uniforms are essential as they give students an identity and foster discipline, while others argue that uniforms are annoying, uncomfortable, and lack creativity. Regardless of the position one takes on students wearing uniforms, it is clear that uniforms are an essential part of students, and students wearing uniforms is more advantageous to both the students and schools. Thus, all students should wear uniforms as the uniforms instill a sense of discipline and identity, erase differences between the students, and are less costly (thesis statement)
School uniforms eliminate the differences between students in regard to their social and economic backgrounds ( School uniforms promote equality ) . Schools have students from different social and economic backgrounds. The school environment has students from both poor and rich families. Hence, uniforms are important as they are modest and identical clothing that propagate a sense of equality among the students (Freeburg and Workman, 6). Accordingly, all students should wear school uniforms to avoid a situation where some students feel inadequate for being able to afford expensive clothing like their more affluent counterparts. A learning environment and education, in general, are supposed to bridge the social-economic differences that exist in society.
Parents can save much money that would otherwise go to buying a wide variety of school clothes for their children ( school uniforms save parents money spent on clothing ). School uniforms provide a cheaper and more consistent alternative to regular clothing. If students are allowed to wear regular clothing to school, parents and guardians have to buy clothes that are in line with the latest fashion trends and the individual tastes of their children, both of which can be expensive. In this case, students should wear school uniforms that are affordable and identical to save parents money that can be used for more important things (Baumann and Krskova 1003). Affordability is essential for parents considering the enormous expenses associated with bringing up children in the modern era. Therefore, all students should wear uniforms as uniforms protect the financial interest of the parents and guardians.
Wearing school uniforms saves teachers, students, and administrators valuable time ( Bringing in the time-saving perspective of school uniforms ). Without uniforms, teachers and schools, administrators spend significant amounts of time regulating the dress code. For instance, time wasted deciding which clothes are appropriate, what skirt-size is too short, among other issues that arise in regulating regular clothes to make appropriate for the school environment (Ruggerone 573). Such challenges would not exist if all students wore uniforms. Consequently, students also waste valuable time because of the distractions that might be caused by clothes that their peers are wearing. Therefore, to eliminate time wastage and distractions in school, students should wear uniforms.
According to individuals and parties who oppose school uniforms, the uniforms limit the personal expression of students and can forcibly define gender roles for the children as girls have to wear skirts and boys’ trousers ( school uniforms stifle independence and creativity) - COUNTERARGUMENT . People express themselves through their clothes, which means that forcing students to wear uniforms affects their personal expressions (Masuch and Hefferon 227). Additionally, uniforms are gender-specific, which means that they can negatively impact the personalities of students as they are forced to wear uniforms that they do not feel reflect what they want to be or do with their lives. Thus, as the proponents against school uniforms argue, uniforms should be eliminated as they infringe on the independence of young students.
To sum up, there are numerous arguments that either support or oppose the wearing of uniforms by students. Supporters of school uniforms claim that uniforms give students a sense of identity and discipline, enhance social and economic equality, and save costs. On the other side, proponents against school uniforms claim that school uniforms limit the personal expression of students and force them into specified gender roles. Judging from the advantages and disadvantages of uniforms, it is clear that all students should wear uniforms as they distinguish students from civilians and enhance equality in the school environment.
Baumann, Chris, and Hana Krskova. "School discipline, school uniforms, and academic performance." International Journal of Educational Management 30.6 (2016): 1003-1029.
Freeburg, Beth W., and Jane E. Workman. "Dress Codes and Uniforms." Encyclopedia of Adolescence (2016): 1-13.
Masuch, Christoph-Simon, and Kate Hefferon. "Understanding the links between positive psychology and fashion: A grounded theory analysis." International Journal of Fashion Studies 1.2 (2014): 227-246.
Ruggerone, Lucia. "The feeling of being dressed: Affect studies and the clothed body." Fashion Theory 21.5 (2017): 573-593.
Gradecrest is a professional writing service that provides original model papers. We offer personalized services along with research materials for assistance purposes only. All the materials from our website should be used with proper references. See our Terms of Use Page for proper details.
Do uniforms make schools better?
by: Marian Wilde | Updated: March 1, 2024
Print article
Schools, parents, and students frequently clash over the issue of regulating what students may and may not wear to school. These controversies often pegged to the culture war of the moment touch on everything from gender and sexuality to politics, race, and religion. In 2021, a group of about 50 students in Georgia protested their middle school’s dress code for being discriminatory against BIPOC girls by wearing t-shirts every Friday emblazoned with the words “sexist,” “racist,” and “classist.” In 2022, a fight between students, staff, and police officers broke out at a Pennsylvania high school when hats and hoodies were banned as part of a revision by the school board to the school’s dress code. And in 2023, two Michigan middle schoolers, via their mother, sued their school district after they were banned from wearing “Let’s Go Brandon” sweatshirts.
Are school uniforms the best solution to this contentious debate? If every student is wearing the same outfit, will a host of campus problems be solved? Researchers are divided over how much of an impact — if any — dress policies have on student learning. There are multiple studies with conflicting conclusions, plus books such as 2018’s The Debate About School Uniforms , but the argument wears on, with a list of pros and cons on each side.
Why do some public schools have uniforms?
In the 1980s, public schools were often compared unfavorably to Catholic schools. Noting the perceived benefit that uniforms conferred upon Catholic schools, some public schools decided to adopt a school uniform policy.
President Clinton provided momentum to the school uniform movement when he said in his 1996 State of the Union speech, “If it means teenagers will stop killing each other over designer jackets, then our public schools should be able to require their students to wear school uniforms.”
The pros and cons of school uniforms
According to proponents, school uniforms:.
- Help prevent gangs from forming on campus
- Encourage discipline
- Help students resist peer pressure to buy trendy clothes
- Help identify intruders in the school
- Diminish economic and social barriers between students
- Increase a sense of belonging and school pride
- Improve attendance
Opponents contend that school uniforms:
- Violate a student’s right to freedom of expression
- Are simply a Band-Aid on the issue of school violence
- Make students a target for bullies from other schools
- Are a financial burden for poor families
- Are an unfair additional expense for parents who pay taxes for a free public education
- Are difficult to enforce in public schools
Uniforms vs. dress codes
Schools and districts vary widely in how closely they adhere to the concept of uniformity.
What’s a dress code?
Generally, dress codes are more relaxed than uniform policies. Sometimes, however, dress codes are quite strict with requirements that are potentially viewed as biased based on race or gender. In 2020, two Black male students in Texas, cousins with West Indian heritage, were suspended for wearing dreadlocks in supposed violation of the district’s hair and grooming policy, part of the dress code. The elder one, a senior, was told he couldn’t attend prom or graduation until his dreads were trimmed. In 2022, girls on the track team at an Albany, NY high school were sent home for wearing sports bras at practice.
Uniforms are certainly easier for administrators to enforce than dress codes, largely because the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) can be depended upon to protect a student’s “right to express themselves.” The ACLU believes dress codes are often used to, “shame girls, force students to conform to gender stereotypes… punish students who wear political and countercultural messages. Such policies can be used as cover for racial discrimination… Dress codes can also infringe on a student’s religious rights…” To successfully enforce a dress code, insists the ACLU, the school must prove the student’s attire, “is disruptive to school activities.”
The ACLU’s dress code stance is regularly supported by federal courts , like the 2023 lower court ruling in North Carolina that ended a charter school decree that girls couldn’t wear pants to school. ACLU lawyers claimed this violated Title IX because the dress code “discriminated against female students by limiting their ability to fully participate in school activities, such as using the playground.” The U.S. Supreme Court later declined to take up a case challenging the lower court’s ruling.
Check with your school to see what the dress code is, as they can be fairly specific. In Tulsa, Oklahoma, for example, the dress code prohibits :
- Symbols, mottoes, words or acronyms that convey crude, vulgar, profane, violent, death-oriented, gang-related, sexually explicit, or sexually suggestive messages.
- Symbols, mottoes, words or acronyms advertising tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia.
- Symbols, mottoes, words or acronyms identifying a student as a member of a secret or overtly antisocial group or gang or that identifies a student as a member of an organization that professes violence or hatred toward one’s fellow man.
- Visible and permanent tattoos/brands incompatible with the standards set forth herein shall be covered to prohibit their display.
- Excessively large or baggy clothes
What’s a uniform?
School uniforms worldwide can widely range from nondescript to bizarre. (Extreme examples from China, Australia, and the UK on this YouTube video ) Most public school outfits in the USA are quite casual, with a “ common type ” for boys often a polo shirt in a solid color, with pants in khaki, black, or navy blue. A girl’s uniform is often a skirt and a white buttoned-up shirt. Dress shoes are frequently required for both genders.
In the United States, low-income families spend an average of $249 on a child’s school uniform annually, far less than the typical Australian student’s $578. But still, the cost is sometimes viewed as unfair because public education is intended to be free, paid by tax dollars, not “a stress for families on lower incomes.” The ACLU believes that public schools should provide free school uniforms , because the expense is unconstitutional, and it increases wealth inequity.
What research says about school uniforms
In 2006, Virginia Draa, professor at Youngstown State University, reviewed the impact of school uniforms at 64 public high schools that had larger percentages of economically disadvantaged and minority students than other urban schools. Her conclusion surprised her: “I really went into this thinking uniforms don’t make a difference, but I came away seeing that they do… I was absolutely floored.” Her analysis determined that the schools with uniforms improved their students attendance, and graduation rates rose an average almost 11 percent.
In 2022, Ohio State University and University of Pennsylvania researchers reached a contrary opinion in their report titled “ School Uniforms and Students Behavior: Is There a Link? ” Their view was that, in general, evidence that school uniforms improve social skills in the students was “inconclusive.” The solitary praise they provided to uniform-wearing was noting there was “some indication that low-income students in schools that required uniforms demonstrated better school attendance than low-income students in schools that did not.”
What to believe? Jury is still out.
What do students think about uniforms?
A student discussion: pros and cons of uniforms
Editor’s note: This video is part of our high school milestones series about communication skills. The students in this video discuss the pros and cons of school uniforms.
A University of Nevada, Reno, survey of 1,848 middle school students, published in 2022, revealed that 90 percent did not like wearing a uniform to school . Only 30 percent believed the uniforms “might reduce discipline issues, a mere 17 percent thought the uniform helped them focus at school, 34 percent believed their school was safer due to the uniforms and 37 percent said, “I worry less about my appearance” due to the uniform requirement.”
An earlier study, also in Nevada, displayed similar unpopularity with newly instituted uniforms among middle school students. However, when the researchers looked into school discipline and local police records and compared them to the prior year’s data, discipline referrals were down 10 percent, there were 63 percent fewer police log reports, and incidences of graffiti, fights, and gang-related activity were all down.
It’s a big issue
A new trend is the mounting pressure to establish dress codes for teachers. Apparently, the same casual mindset toward revealing outfits is cropping up in the ranks of our teachers.
The debate over uniforms in public schools encompasses many larger issues than simply what children should wear to school. It touches on issues of school improvement, freedom of expression, and hot-button culture wars. It’s no wonder the debate rages on.
Homes Nearby
Homes for rent and sale near schools
Why your neighborhood school closes for good – and what to do when it does
5 things for Black families to consider when choosing a school
6 surprising things insiders look for when assessing a high school
Surprising things about high school
Yes! Sign me up for updates relevant to my child's grade.
Please enter a valid email address
Thank you for signing up!
Server Issue: Please try again later. Sorry for the inconvenience
- History & Society
- Science & Tech
- Biographies
- Animals & Nature
- Geography & Travel
- Arts & Culture
- Games & Quizzes
- On This Day
- One Good Fact
- New Articles
- Lifestyles & Social Issues
- Philosophy & Religion
- Politics, Law & Government
- World History
- Health & Medicine
- Browse Biographies
- Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates
- Bugs, Mollusks & Other Invertebrates
- Environment
- Fossils & Geologic Time
- Entertainment & Pop Culture
- Sports & Recreation
- Visual Arts
- Demystified
- Image Galleries
- Infographics
- Top Questions
- Britannica Kids
- Saving Earth
- Space Next 50
- Student Center
Pro and Con: School Uniforms
To access extended pro and con arguments, sources, and discussion questions about whether students should have to wear school uniforms, go to ProCon.org .
Traditionally favored by private and parochial institutions, school uniforms are being adopted by US public schools in increasing numbers. According to a 2020 report, the percentage of public schools that required school uniforms jumped from 12% in the 1999-2000 school year to 20% in the 2017-18 school year. School uniforms were most frequently required by elementary schools (23%), followed by middle (18%), and high schools (10%).
The first recorded use of standardized dress in education may have been in England in 1222, when the Archbishop of Canterbury mandated that students wear a robe-like outfit called the “cappa clausa.” The origin of the modern school uniform can be traced to 16th Century England, when the impoverished “charity children” attending the Christ’s Hospital boarding school wore blue cloaks reminiscent of the cassocks worn by clergy, along with yellow stockings. As of Sep. 2014, students at Christ’s Hospital were still wearing the same uniform, and according to the school it is the oldest school uniform still in use. When Christ’s Hospital surveyed its students in 2011, 95% voted to keep the traditional uniforms.
School uniforms in the United States followed the traditional use of uniforms established in England and were generally limited to private and parochial schools. One exception was found in government-run boarding schools for Native American children, first established in the late 1800s, where the children, who had been removed from their families, were dressed in military-style uniforms.
According to figures released in 2018 by the National Center for Education Statistics, the total number of public schools nationwide requiring students to wear school uniforms increased from 12% during the 1999-2000 school year to 21% during the 2015-2016 school year. In 2015-2016, 25% of public primary schools enforced a uniform policy, as did 20% of public middle schools and 12% of public high schools. A higher proportion of schools located in cities had mandatory uniforms in 2015-2016 than schools in suburban, town, and rural areas. Mandatory uniforms were far more prevalent in “high-poverty” schools (in which 76% of students were eligible for reduced-cost or free lunch programs) than in “low-poverty” schools.
Among the US cities with the highest use of school uniforms in public schools are Philadelphia (100% of schools), New Orleans (95%), Cleveland (85%), Chicago (80%), Boston (65%), and Miami (60%). The number of schools with “strict dress codes” has also increased, from 47% in 2000 to 57% in 2010.
- School uniforms may deter crime and increase student safety.
- School uniforms keep students focused on their education, not their clothes.
- School uniforms create a level playing field among students, reducing peer pressure and bullying.
- Wearing uniforms enhances school pride, unity, and community spirit.
- School uniforms may improve attendance and discipline.
- Uniform policies save valuable class time because they are easier to enforce than a standard dress code.
- School uniforms prevent the display of gang colors and insignia.
- School uniforms make getting ready for school easier, which can improve punctuality.
- School uniforms can save parents money.
- Most parents and educators support mandatory school uniforms.
- Students’ legal right to free expression remains intact even with mandatory school uniforms.
- Students dressed in uniform are better perceived by teachers and peers.
- Students can express their individuality in school uniforms by introducing variations and adding accessories.
- School uniforms restrict students’ freedom of expression.
- School uniforms promote conformity over individuality.
- School uniforms do not stop bullying and may increase violent attacks.
- School uniforms do not improve attendance, academic preparedness, or exam results.
- The key findings used to tout the benefits of uniforms are questionable.
- School uniforms emphasize the socio-economic divisions they are supposed to eliminate.
- Students oppose school uniforms.
- Uniforms may have a detrimental effect on students’ self-image.
- Focusing on uniforms takes attention away from finding genuine solutions to problems in education.
- The push for school uniforms is driven by commercial interests rather than educational ones.
- Parents should be free to choose their children’s clothes without government interference.
- School uniforms in public schools undermine the promise of a free education by imposing an extra expense on families.
- School uniforms may delay the transition into adulthood.
This article was published on May 3, 2021, at Britannica’s ProCon.org , a nonpartisan issue-information source.
Password reminder
Argumentative essay on school uniforms: advice for both sides.
There are problems, when the correct side doesn`t seem to exist. Those issues are the most appropriate to be written about in argumentative essays. Thus, you can support your point of view writing an argumentative essay on school uniforms. Having taken any side you will be able to use convincing arguments.
The School Uniform Issue
Before you actually start telling your point of view and providing arguments, explain the situation to your reader. It is also necessary to tell different points of view on the issue in general. Thus, in your introduction you should tell that there is a discussion about wearing uniforms. Some people think that students must wear it, and other have an opposite opinion. It is necessary to finish your introduction with a well-written thesis statement, showing your approach and main arguments.
Arguments for School Uniforms
If you think, that it is necessary for students to wear uniform, here are some arguments for you to use while writing.
Argument #1: Safety
When all of the students are dressed the same way, it is easily to recognize a stranger. This decreases the crime rate and contributes to students feeling safer at schools.
Argument #2: Proper Accents
School is not a podium and its main aim is to teach students, not to give them a possibility to show off. If students are dressed the same way, they understand better the purpose of coming to school and their attention won`t be distracted to some side things.
Argument #3: Equality
Wearing the same uniform solves the issue of social inequality between students. There won`t be students, who dress more fashionable, or whose clothing is more expensive. This will reduce the pressure to the students from less successful families.
Argument #3: Spirit of Unity
Uniform introducing contributes to team building. Students feel a part of a big friendly team, which has common aims and pride.
Argument #4: Saving Money
The school uniform helps parents to save money on clothing. They can simply purchase 2 sets instead for school instead of paying hundreds to provide their children with lots of outfits to wear.
Arguments against School Uniforms
Most students do not like wearing school uniforms, so they tend to take this side more often.
Argument #1: Limit of Expression
The first and the main argument is that school uniforms limit possibilities for students to express their personalities. This contradicts the opportunity to free self-expression supported by law.
Argument #2: Social Issues
This is a common thing, that there are better and worse schools. Therefore, students from different ones will be easily recognized in society, and members of worse schools will be pressed.
Argument #3: Contradiction to Free Education
The education is free of charge according to law. However, the introducing of the school uniforms will make parents buy at least two sets of school uniform. If a student is changing schools, this will be an issue.
Argument #4: Personality Growing Up
Adults can make their own choice on what to wear. Thus, as students are told what to wear in school, this may prevent their psychological growing up.
Points to Include to an Argumentative Essay on School Uniforms
To improve your essay on school uniforms:
- Include numbers and other statistical data. Numbers help to support your opinion more efficiently.
- Separate different arguments into separate paragraphs. This will contribute to clarity of your point.
- Contact a professional writer for assistance. He will help you to organize your thought into a better coherent and convincing text.
Leave a comment:
Your email address will not be published.
Contact information:
- Skip to main content
- Skip to secondary menu
- Skip to primary sidebar
- Skip to footer
A Plus Topper
Improve your Grades
School Uniform Argument Essay | Argumentative Essay on School Uniform and Why School Uniform is Important?
June 23, 2021 by Prasanna
School Uniform Argument Essay: Since the past few years, the discussion over the execution of school uniform arrangements in educational systems has been seen broadly across the schools. The choice of uniforms being carried out in educational systems is based on the state or the individual school’s strategy. The school either can make uniforms required or optional. But the concept of introducing school uniforms was done to make each and every student of the school feel equal, irrespective of the communities or societies they belong to. It also teaches students how to dress themselves up in a neat and clean manner.
All over the world, numerous private and government-funded schools carry out the utilization of uniforms. Some therapist who says that the utilization of uniforms is a decent custom and an essential instrument, to keep up control and request of students in the instructive foundation, others say that it’s anything but an infringement of the singularity of each child and that the utilization is a that it’s anything but an obsolete propensity. There are various conclusions and perspectives that help or counter contend this.
You can read more Essay Writing about articles, events, people, sports, technology many more.
Let us discuss in this article an essay based on arguments made on school uniforms. The sample essay on school uniform here will help students to write the essay on such topics and also to learn the importance of school uniforms.
Argumentative Essay on School Uniforms Sample
School uniforms are turning into a famous pattern among schools. Students and surprisingly most guardians disagree with the requirement with school uniforms; expressing that uniforms remove the right of self-articulation. School uniforms are not something negative to have. Indeed, uniforms limit what the students need to decide to wear to class consistently, however it doesn’t restrict them from learning; the solitary explanation they are in school. Pupils treat school as a style show, so disposing of that puts the students’ full spotlight on homework. In spite of the fact that expecting students to wear school uniforms may abuse their self-articulation solely, uniforms are assumed to be viewed as something positive, since they reduce students’ bullying activities, join social classes and give the school grounds an expert look.
The most well-known contention against school uniforms is that they remove the students’ right to self-articulation. Indeed, school uniforms limit what the students need to wear, however, he/she can, in any case, have their own particular manners of self-articulation. students can still express their style of the decision by the way he/she styles their hair and what extras they decide to wear. Their shoe decision is additionally a type of self-articulation. students can make the uniforms their own style without breaking the clothing standard. Since a pupil can’t wear the most stylish pants to school doesn’t imply that his/her privileges are removed. School is a spot to learn. Outside of school, children can wear and put themselves out there any way they like if it’s not too much trouble.
Requiring school uniforms takes out the shots at harassing. Menaces typically single out kids dependent on what they wear. What happens when they are wearing exactly the same thing? Everybody will be dressed something similar, leaving less space to get singled out. Menaces will not have the need to single out somebody as much as he/she would if uniforms were not needed, since everybody would basically appear to be identical, including the domineering jerks. When individuals all appear to be identical, there is actually nothing for different children to call attention to furthermore, ridicule. uniforms give a more harasser-free climate for the students.
Having uniforms in schools additionally eradicates the characterized line of the social classes. Generally, mainstream kids in the higher social classes would just be wearing the trendiest attire. Poor people, lower social classes would just be wearing the most recent shipment from the closest Wal-Mart. School uniforms bring the social classes together. Everybody would be wearing a similar brand of garments from the very couple of stores that sell school uniforms. No one would have the option to figure out what social class an individual is in by taking a gander at what the other individual is wearing. Everybody would all mix together and be at a similar level; no upper or lower classes separating the students.
Schools that require uniforms look more formal and organized. Schools that don’t need uniforms have those couples of children who don’t mind how they dress or dress messy. There are kids strolling around with pants listing to the ground and clothing appearing. A few children will even be wearing unseemly logos on shirts or coats. That gives the school a terrible look and notoriety. Schools with uniforms have every one of the students dressed pleasantly in the allotted uniforms. The school looks organized and very much kept up. students who don’t need to zero in on what to wear to class will zero in additional on scholastics, which prompts improved grades. The school will look better, show insight and scholastically.
In general, school uniforms are something incredible to have. Despite the fact that this contention whether school uniforms disregard the student’s right to self-articulation will be endless. There is by all accounts more inspirational perspectives than negative on schools that require school uniforms. Having school uniforms be needed for the students to wear disposes of the domineering jerks who single out other students dependent on the thing they are wearing. uniforms dispense with the partition of social classes, particularly when that is basically dictated by what brands of clothing an individual wears. To wrap things up, school locales that require their students to wear school uniforms have even more of a conventional look to the school. School uniforms are something positive, since they remove tormenting openings, deciding of social class and make the school look more proficient.
FAQ’s on School Uniform Argument Essay
Question 1. Is school uniform necessary?
Answer: School uniforms are necessary because it brings equality among students, stops bullying activities, saves money and helps students to keep their dresses maintained.
Question 2. What are the pros and cons of school uniforms?
Answer: The pros of school uniforms are:
- It removes the differences between students
- Makes students more socially active
- Keeps students focussed
- Increases safety
- Kills bullying
The cons of school uniforms are:
- It can be expensive sometimes
- It limits the self-articulation of students
- Picture Dictionary
- English Speech
- English Slogans
- English Letter Writing
- English Essay Writing
- English Textbook Answers
- Types of Certificates
- ICSE Solutions
- Selina ICSE Solutions
- ML Aggarwal Solutions
- HSSLive Plus One
- HSSLive Plus Two
- Kerala SSLC
- Distance Education
- Essay Samples
- College Essay
- Writing Tools
- Writing guide
Creative samples from the experts
↑ Return to Essay Samples
Argumentative Essay: Wearing School Uniform Makes Learners Proud
The question of uniform has come up a lot. In Britain the students have to wear uniforms, with only the smallest schools being exempt. In America the rules are a little different, and most institutions may choose whether their students wear a uniform. I intend to prove that wearing a uniform makes a schoolchild proud to be part of the school and part of the team.
Children need to feel as if they belong to the school
It has been proven that students who see themselves as the equal of their teachers do not do as well at school. Having every child wear a uniform helps to show the children who the teacher is in a very subconscious and powerful way. It also helps to make everybody part of the school. Without uniforms the unpopular or distant children will dress radically in order to make a statement and clearly differentiate themselves from their fellow classmates. This leads to further alienation and the feeling that they do not belong. Uniforms solve this problem by making everyone of equal status.
It helps make children all equal
Children are just as likely to set up a class system as any micro culture. One method of differentiating has always been physical prowess. Another is attractiveness and a “bad” or rebellious attitude. The financial means of their parents is another, and it is far easier to spot who has wealthy parents and who does not by the types of clothing worn at school. Wearing uniforms is going to make this sort of differentiation and discrimination a lot harder.
Uniforms sap a child’s creativity
This is the argument that children are less creative if they are not allowed to express themselves, but this is not the case. People have to wear a uniform in the working world, including in the creative sector, and they are not affected by their dress style or the fact they look like the rest of the team.
Uniforms restrict the children’s free will
This is the argument that dressing all the children the same is setting them up to be robotically minded and easily manipulated in the future. However, this argument fails to take into account that giving children too much free will at a young age is a bad thing. Children are not yet mature enough to make correct and well balanced decisions. They need structure and order in their lives until they become free thinking, lateral thinking, well rounded and well adjusted adults.
Wearing a school uniform makes children proud to be part of their school because it curbs alienation, helps to form class/school unity and differentiates between the students and teachers. It helps to give children the structure they need, whilst not removing any creativity from them.
Follow Us on Social Media
Get more free essays
Send via email
Most useful resources for students:.
- Free Essays Download
- Writing Tools List
- Proofreading Services
- Universities Rating
Contributors Bio
Find more useful services for students
Free plagiarism check, professional editing, online tutoring, free grammar check.
- About The Journalist’s Resource
- Follow us on Facebook
- Follow us on Twitter
- Criminal Justice
- Environment
- Politics & Government
- Race & Gender
Expert Commentary
School uniforms: Do they really improve student achievement, behavior?
This updated collection of research looks at how mandatory school uniforms impact student achievement, attendance and behavior as well as the presence of gangs in public schools.
Republish this article
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License .
by Denise-Marie Ordway, The Journalist's Resource April 20, 2018
This <a target="_blank" href="https://journalistsresource.org/education/school-uniforms-research-achievement/">article</a> first appeared on <a target="_blank" href="https://journalistsresource.org">The Journalist's Resource</a> and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.<img src="https://journalistsresource.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/cropped-jr-favicon-150x150.png" style="width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;">
Decades ago, uniforms were mostly worn by students who went to private or parochial schools. But as local school boards have focused more on improving standardized test scores and campus safety, a growing number have begun requiring school uniforms — typically, a polo shirt of a particular color paired with navy or khaki pants, skirts or shorts. Nearly 22 percent of public schools in the United States required uniforms in 2015-16 — up from almost 12 percent in 1999-2000, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
Proponents argue that students will pay more attention to their classwork if they aren’t preoccupied with fashion, and that they’ll be better behaved. Meanwhile, school administrators say uniforms help eliminate gang-related styles and logos. They also make it easier to spot a stranger on campus.
Despite their reported benefits, mandatory uniforms are controversial because a lot of parents and students don’t like the idea of forcing children to dress alike, which they say suppresses freedom of expression. Some families complain about the financial burden of purchasing uniforms in addition to their kids’ other clothing. Years ago, parents also complained that it was difficult to find uniforms, but that ceased to be an issue after large chain stores like Target and Wal-Mart began selling them.
As public schools debate the merits of uniforms — some school boards have been bouncing the idea around for years — it’s important for journalists to know what the research says on this topic. School officials do not always consult academic research before they put a plan on the table.
To help journalists ground their reporting and fact-check claims, Journalist’s Resource has rounded up several academic studies worth reviewing. Reporters may also want to examine reports on uniform use from the NCES, which collects and reports data related to school uniforms, dress codes and book bags in public schools.
——————————–
“School Discipline, School Uniforms and Academic Performance” Baumann, Chris; Krskova, Hana. International Journal of Educational Management , 2016. DOI: 10.1108/IJEM-09-2015-0118.
Summary: This study examines test scores and student behavior in the United States, Canada and 37 other countries to determine whether uniforms affect student discipline. The researchers found that the highest-performing students are the most disciplined. In addition, “for countries where students wear school uniforms, our study found that students listen significantly better, there are lower noise levels, and lower teaching waiting times with classes starting on time.”
“Dressed for Success? The Effect of School Uniforms on Student Achievement and Behavior” Gentile, Elizabetta; Imberman, Scott A. Journal of Urban Economics , 2012, Vol. 71. doi: 10.1016/j.jue.2011.10.002.
Abstract: “Uniform use in public schools is rising, but we know little about how they affect students. Using a unique dataset from a large urban school district in the southwest United States, we assess how uniforms affect behavior, achievement and other outcomes. Each school in the district determines adoption independently, providing variation over schools and time. By including student and school fixed-effects we find evidence that uniform adoption improves attendance in secondary grades, while in elementary schools they generate large increases in teacher retention.”
“Uniforms in the Middle School: Student Opinions, Discipline Data, and School Police Data” Sanchez, Jafeth E.; Yoxsimer, Andrew; Hill, George C. Journal of School Violence , 2012. DOI: 10.1080/15388220.2012.706873.
Summary: Researchers asked students at an urban middle school in Nevada what they thought of having to wear uniforms. Their public school had adopted a uniform policy after staff members became frustrated with the earlier dress code policy, which resulted in girls wearing revealing clothing and boys wearing shirts with inappropriate messages and images. The study’s main takeaway: The vast majority of students said they dislike uniforms, although some agreed there were benefits. “For example, in reference to gender, more than expected females than males indicated students treated them better with uniforms. Also, fewer females than males got detention for not wearing a uniform or for wearing a uniform inappropriately.”
“Are School Uniforms a Good Fit? Results from the ECLS-K and the NELS” Yeung, Ryan. Educational Policy , 2009, Vol. 23. doi: 10.1177/0895904808330170.
Abstract: “One of the most common proposals put forth for reform of the American system of education is to require school uniforms. Proponents argue that uniforms can make schools safer and also improve school attendance and increase student achievement. Opponents contend that uniforms have not been proven to work and may be an infringement on the freedom of speech of young people. Within an econometric framework, this study examines the effect of school uniforms on student achievement. It tackles methodological challenges through the use of a value-added functional form and the use of multiple data sets. The results do not suggest any significant association between school uniform policies and achievement. Although the results do not definitely support or reject either side of the uniform argument, they do strongly intimate that uniforms are not the solution to all of American education’s ills.”
“Effects of Student Uniforms on Attendance, Behavior Problems, Substance Use, and Academic Achievement” Brunsma, David L.; Rockquemore, Kerry A. The Journal of Educational Research , 1998, Vol. 92. doi: 10.1080/00220679809597575.
Abstract: “Mandatory uniform policies have been the focus of recent discourse on public school reform. Proponents of such reform measures emphasize the benefits of student uniforms on specific behavioral and academic outcomes. Tenth-grade data from The National Educational Longitudinal Study of 1988 was used to test empirically the claims made by uniform advocates. The findings indicate that student uniforms have no direct effect on substance use, behavioral problems, or attendance. Contrary to current discourse, the authors found a negative effect of uniforms on student academic achievement. Uniform policies may indirectly affect school environment and student outcomes by providing a visible and public symbol of commitment to school improvement and reform.”
“School Uniforms, Academic Achievement, and Uses of Research” Bodine, Ann. The Journal of Educational Research , 2003, Vol. 97. doi: 10.1080/00220670309597509.
Abstract: “School uniforms are being advocated for a range of social, educational, economic, and familial reasons. In 1998, The Journal of Educational Research (The JER) published an article by D. Brunsma and K. Rockquemore that claims that uniforms correlate negatively with academic achievement, but data presented in this article actually show positive correlation between uniforms and achievement for the total sample, and for all but 1 school sector. Examination of structure of argument reveals that the erroneous claim results from misleading use of sector analysis. Simultaneous with The JER article, and on the basis of the same National Education Longitudinal Study: 1988 database, an Educational Testing Service article reported that no correlation exists between uniforms and achievement. The two articles are contrasted in this study. The effect of new communication technology in amplifying political uses of academic research is discussed.”
“Public School Uniforms: Effect on Perceptions of Gang Presence, School Climate, and Student Self-Perceptions” Wade, Kathleen Kiley; Stafford, Mary E. Education and Urban Society , 2003, Vol. 35. doi: 10.1177/0013124503255002.
Abstract: “This study attempts to clarify the relationships between public school uniforms and some of their intended results: student self-worth and student and staff perceptions of gang presence and school climate. The instruments used in the study included a questionnaire on gang presence and identity, the National Association of School Principals Comprehensive Assessment of School Environments, and the Harter Self-Perception Profile for Children. Participants consisted of 415 urban public middle school students and 83 teachers. Findings indicate that, although perceptions did not vary for students across uniform policy, teachers from schools with uniform policies perceived lower levels of gang presence. Although the effect size was small, students from schools without uniforms reported higher self-perception scores than students from schools with uniform policies. Student and teacher perceptions of school climate did not vary across uniform policy.”
“The Effect of Uniforms on Nonuniform Apparel Expenditures” Norum, Pamela S.; Weagley, Robert O.; Norton, Marjorie J. Family & Consumer Sciences , 1998. doi: 10.1177/1077727X980263001.
Abstract: “The uniform industry has grown steadily the past 20 years with increased attention from employers trying to create a professional image among workers as well as school administrators considering uniforms to curtail school violence. Although an important part of human dress for centuries, uniforms have received little attention from researchers of the clothing market. This study examines the impact of uniform purchases on household expenditures for selected nonuniform apparel subcategories based on an economic model of conditional demand. Expenditure equations are estimated using the 1990-1991 Consumer Expenditure Survey. The results suggest that, on average, consumers do not substitute uniforms for other apparel purchases. Rather, uniforms and nonuniform apparel appear to be complements in consumers’ purchases, resulting in greater household expenditures on nonuniform apparel. These results are a first step in understanding the economic effect that uniform purchases, mandated by employers, schools, or others, have on household clothing expenditures.”
Looking for more research on student achievement? Check out our write-ups on how teacher salaries , school vouchers and school shootings impact learning.
About The Author
Denise-Marie Ordway
Essay Service Examples Education School Uniform
Why School Uniforms Are Good: Persuasive Essay
- Proper editing and formatting
- Free revision, title page, and bibliography
- Flexible prices and money-back guarantee
Our writers will provide you with an essay sample written from scratch: any topic, any deadline, any instructions.
Cite this paper
Related essay topics.
Get your paper done in as fast as 3 hours, 24/7.
Related articles
Most popular essays
- Freedom of Expression
- School Uniform
Students should not wear uniforms because they take away a student’s sense of individuality....
- Perspective
- Public School
Stacy L. Gregory student of University of Arkansas, Fayetteville(2013) revealed that School...
School uniforms should be stopped. They are bland, outdated, and uncomfortable. Very few students...
Space is a crucial part of the battle for control and surveillance of individuals and not for...
It is debated nowadays on whether teenagers, who go to school, should be wearing a uniform. There...
Meet Isaiah, he is 8 years old and goes to his local public elementary school where is bullied...
Many students go to school and wear inappropriate clothing making their school look more...
Compared to places of employment, schools have a far more equal dress code. Due to the...
The ongoing debate about using school uniforms for students has been contentious. Those favouring...
Join our 150k of happy users
- Get original paper written according to your instructions
- Save time for what matters most
Fair Use Policy
EduBirdie considers academic integrity to be the essential part of the learning process and does not support any violation of the academic standards. Should you have any questions regarding our Fair Use Policy or become aware of any violations, please do not hesitate to contact us via [email protected].
We are here 24/7 to write your paper in as fast as 3 hours.
Provide your email, and we'll send you this sample!
By providing your email, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy .
Say goodbye to copy-pasting!
Get custom-crafted papers for you.
Enter your email, and we'll promptly send you the full essay. No need to copy piece by piece. It's in your inbox!
Persuasive Essay About School Uniforms
Table of contents:
- Introduction
- Body paragraphs
Should students wear school uniforms? This is a topic with a lot of controversy around it. Some people think it should be compulsory to wear a uniform, and others think they should not be required. Your persuasive essay should take a strong stand on the issue, but don’t fail to consider the arguments against your point of view as well as the benefits of your own beliefs.
Your introduction should consist, most importantly, of your thesis or focus statement, in which you answer the question, “Why should we wear (or not wear) school uniforms?” When considering the pros and cons, make up your mind first which stance you’d like to argue for, and then reflect on how best to make your point.
Introduction examples
Pro: School uniforms ensure that all students have the same access to well-fitting, modest clothing during classes, and also erase the differences between richer and poorer students, putting them all on a more equal footing.
Con: School uniforms are restrictive of personal expression, uncomfortable, and needlessly force children into gender roles due to making girls wear skirts and boys wear trousers, and so they should not be required.
The body of your essay should then expand upon the thesis, outlining and backing up each of your points. If you have statistics to back up your arguments, here’s where to use them. You can also use anecdotes, common sense appeals, or appeals to emotion.
Body paragraphs examples
Pro: School uniforms should be compulsory. They reduce time spent shopping, as well as money spent buying clothes, and eliminate bullying based on dress and appearance. In addition, they keep students safer by making sure they are obviously dressed as students.
Con: There are many reasons against wearing school uniforms. No one, first of all, likes to be forced into a particular mould. The subject of whether school uniforms actually prevent bullying is still up for debate. As well, one of the disadvantages is that school uniforms usually have to all be bought from the same place, which can lead to collusion between school governors and clothing shops.
As you draw to a conclusion, look back at your thesis. Give your essay a title that relates to the thesis. Make sure you’ve covered all the points you want to cover. Then go over those points again in your conclusion, and finally end with a request to your audience to take some kind of action, or at least consider the debate from a different point of view.
Conclusion examples
Pro: To have more peaceful, safer schools, as well as cheaper shopping bills, uniforms are the way to go. It’s the better option for students, and it’s better for parents as well, so recommend to your school board that uniforms should be instituted right away.
Con: The jury’s still out on whether school uniforms do make a difference. In the meantime, why curb kids’ personal expression? Let them dress the way they want, within reason. It doesn’t cause them any harm.
- Essay samples
- Infographics
- Essay writing
- Crafting a Powerful Essay on Political Polarization
- Oral Health Overview Essay: Preventing Tooth Decay in Australia
- How to Write a Good Expository Essay About Macbeth
- How to Write An Expository Essay About Love
- How to Write a Great Expository Essay About Life
Price per page
Total price:
Limitless Amendments
Bibliography
Plagiarism Report
Get all these features for A$93.12 FREE
If you don't know exactly what type of paper you need or can't find the necessary one on the website - don't worry! Contact us and we'll help you out!
Before continuing to use our service please make sure you got acquainted with our Cookie Policy and accepted it by clicking OK
- EssayBasics.com
- Pay For Essay
- Write My Essay
- Homework Writing Help
- Essay Editing Service
- Thesis Writing Help
- Write My College Essay
- Do My Essay
- Term Paper Writing Service
- Coursework Writing Service
- Write My Research Paper
- Assignment Writing Help
- Essay Writing Help
- Call Now! (USA) Login Order now
- EssayBasics.com Call Now! (USA) Order now
- Writing Guides
School Uniform (Argumentative Essay Sample)
Schools uniforms are becoming a common trend in the current school system. Students, teachers, and parents have varied feelings about the need for students to wear uniforms. While some point to the need for all learners to look alike and for discipline purposes, others contend that the requirement for all learners to wear uniforms takes away students’ freedom of self-expression. This paper argues that despite the reasons identified by opponents, school uniforms are necessary for schools and all stakeholders need to embrace it.
A common argument raised against the use of school uniforms is that it denies students a chance to fully express themselves. While this is some extent true, self-expression does not only involve clothes. The student can express him or herself through, for instance, doing hair in their style of choice, wearing bracelets, and putting on shoes of their choice and complementing this with the school uniform. Just because the learner is not allowed to dress in the latest, trendy jeans does not imply that they have been denied their rights. Furthermore, students can wear the clothes of their choice outside the school. From this perspective, uniforms give all students a homogenous look, putting them on a level playing ground, thus eliminating the likelihood of discrimination.
Schools which require that students use uniforms look more formal. The campus generally tends to have a professional look. In addition, school uniforms dissolve the concept of social classes. Allowing students to wear clothes of their choice provides a leeway for students to categorize and possibly label each other based on whether they come from wealthy or poor families. Such discrimination at school could lead to a rise in indiscipline cases, reduction in some students’ self-esteem, and poor performance in school.
The other concerns about school uniform touch on the teachers’ inability to identify students with violent tendencies and deal with them. Contrary to this allegation, uniforms help to suppress and eliminate violence and gang behavior. If students are allowed to dress in home wear, some will come to school wearing clothes with special identification gang-related colors leading to the formation of cliques. This is a factor that makes it harder for teachers to enforce discipline within the school. In fact, the essence of schooling is to acquire, among other things, education. Fashion should not be emphasized at school.
Uniforms also inculcate pride in a student, as each student identifies with the others and the school hence each of them feels proud to be associated with their institution. That way, student feel more closely connected to their classmates. A sense of community emerges, and this leads to a reduction in crime and gang affiliated behaviors. In fact, the sense of belonging that emerges from wearing of school uniforms helps to boost the students’ self-confidence. Also, bullying is a major issue in schools. Some students face physical, verbal, and social harassment from their schoolmates. Without school uniforms, it becomes easy for “bullies” to target the students who look different and who are not wearing the “right” clothes.
In conclusion, school uniforms ensure that all students have a level playing field in terms of social classes and education. Bullying and gang activity would be more prevalent if students were allowed to dress as they wish. Students, parents and teachers have an easy time undertaking their responsibilities in cases where the students have a standard uniform.
If you would like to get some more helpful materials, pay for essays written by pour professionals .
Essay Basics can be a part of your academic journey if you let us. Advantages of our essay writing service beat any other essay company offers in the industry.
Subscriber Only Resources
Access this article and hundreds more like it with a subscription to Scope magazine.
Should Students Wear Uniforms?
Students read essays on the issue, then decide.
Learning Objective: to trace and evaluate two opposing arguments
- Purpose This debate has a clear purpose: to present arguments for and against students wearing uniforms.
- Structure The text is informational.
- Language Conventionality and Clarity Vocabulary: Contains higher-level vocabulary such as conducive, superficial, impede.
- Anchor Standards R.1, R.2, R.4, R.6, R.8, W.1, SL.1, SL.3
- Grade 6 RI.6.1, RI.6.2, RI.6.4, RI.6.6, W.6.1, SL.6.1, SL.6.3
- Grade 7 RI.7.1, RI.7.2, RI.7.4, RI.7.6, W.7.1, SL.7.1, SL.7.3
- Grade 8 RI.8.1, RI.8.2, RI.8.4, RI.8.6, W.8.1, SL.8.1, SL.8.2, SL.8.3
- 1a, 1c, 1d, 2a, 2b, 3a, 4a, 5a, 5b, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g, 5h, 5i, 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, 6j, 8d, 8e, 8f, 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, 9f, 9g, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 11c, 11d, 12d, 12f, 12g, 12h, 12i, 12j
- Lesson Plan
Presentation View
Want to hear this story read aloud? Click here!
The Situation:
Fairview Middle School is considering switching to school uniforms, and Principal Monica Galleano wants to hear what students think. Here are two student essays on the issue.
Uniforms Would Be a Relief
By esther speidel.
Shutterstock.com
When Principal Galleano announced that Fairview Middle School might switch to uniforms, my initial reaction was total dread. The idea of wearing the same thing every single day sounded as appealing as eating nothing but broccoli until the end of time. But then I started to really consider the proposed change. And you know what I realized? Uniforms would be a relief.
Like many of my classmates, I spend a lot of time each morning trying to decide what to wear. Sometimes my indecision even makes me late for first period—and my mom late for work. If Fairview had uniforms, we wouldn’t have to waste time worrying about our outfits. Getting dressed in the morning wouldn’t lead to tardiness, and maybe we’d even get a few extra minutes of sleep and be less tired in class. This would be a win, not just for students but for parents and teachers too!
What’s more, there can be a lot of stress around what you wear to school. Some kids get teased or bullied about their clothes, and we all feel pressure to wear certain styles and brands. But the fact is, some parents can’t afford (or refuse) to buy trendy hoodies and expensive jeans for their kids. If Fairview had uniforms, nobody would feel bad about not wearing the “right” clothes.
“Wearing a uniform has helped me not worry about what my peers are wearing,” says Lauren Sarpong, 14, who attends a Success Academy charter school in New York City.
Lauren isn’t alone. According to a study from the University of Nevada, 37 percent of students at middle schools that recently switched to uniforms reported that they worry less about their appearance than they did before they wore uniforms.
A common criticism of uniforms is that they impede self-expression. But there are plenty of other ways for students to show their individuality—such as their hairstyles or backpacks. And of course, students can wear what they want outside of school.
There is yet another benefit to uniforms: If we don’t have to worry about clothes, we can focus more on learning. Maybe that’s why about one in five U.S. public schools have made the switch to uniforms, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
It’s time for Fairview to be one of them.
Uniforms Are Unfair to Students
By malcolm richardson.
Switching to uniforms would be a disaster for the students of Fairview Middle School.
For one thing, students would be self-conscious. Just think of how it feels to wear an outfit that isn’t “you.” Plus, according to a report published in Public Health Review on uniform policies around the world, many uniforms aren’t well-designed and don’t always fit well. How is making students feel awkward and uncomfortable conducive to learning?
Now, many say that a benefit of uniforms is that they can reduce bullying. But if we have to wear uniforms, we’ll just find something else to judge each other by—our socks or shoelaces or phone cases.
Regardless, the solution to meanness shouldn’t be to make us all look the same. It should be for us to learn to respect our differences and not judge people based on superficial things like clothing.
Supporters of uniforms tend to point out that uniforms can improve punctuality, reduce behavior issues, and help students learn. But there isn’t a lot of recent research to support those claims. Here is a powerful statistic I did find though: Ninety percent of middle school students who recently switched to wearing uniforms said they don’t like wearing a uniform, according to a study from the University of Nevada. In that same study, only 17 percent of students reported that they were treated better than before they wore uniforms.
As you can see, the negative aspects of uniforms far outweigh any benefits. The bottom line is that uniforms can make students feel uncomfortable, won’t solve bullying problems, and on top of it all, students simply don’t want to wear them.
That’s why Fairview Middle School should say “no thank you” to uniforms.
Scavenger Hunt
Directions:
For each essay, complete the following steps on your own document:
1. Identify the central claim .
2. Identify the reasons .
3. Identify two pieces of supporting evidence .
4. Identify the counterclaim .
5. Identify the rebuttal .
Now decide: Who makes the stronger argument?
Should students wear uniforms?
This article was originally published in the October 2024 issue.
Close Reading, Critical Thinking, Skill Building
1. prepare to read, 2. read and discuss.
- 3. Write About It
(5 minutes)
Preview vocabulary (5 minutes).
Project the Google Slides version of Vocabulary: Definitions and Practice on your whiteboard. Review the definitions and complete the activity as a class. Highlighted words: conducive, impede, superficial . Audio pronunciations of the words and a read-aloud of the definitions are embedded on the slides. Optionally, print the PDF version or share the slideshow link directly to your LMS and have students preview the words and complete the activity independently before class.
(45 minutes)
For students’ first read, have them follow along as they listen to the audio read-aloud , located in the Resources tab in Teacher View and at the top of the story page in Student View.
Have students silently reread the article to themselves.
Poll the class and tally the results on the board:
“Should students wear uniforms?”
“No matter what you personally think about school uniforms, who do you think makes the better argument: Esther or Malcolm?”
Now trace and evaluate the arguments in each essay:
1. Read the directions in the Scavenger Hunt box on page 25 or at the bottom of the digital story page. If you need to review the bolded academic vocabulary in the box, here are definitions and examples:
central claim: the big idea that the author supports in their argument; their position, belief, or viewpoints
Example: School should start later.
reasons: the grounds on which a central claim is based; the individual reasons that support or prove the central claim
Example: Middle school-aged kids need more sleep.
supporting evidence: facts, statistics, and examples that show why a reason should be believed; evidence and reasons support and “hold up” a claim
Example: A study by the Sleep Institute found that 47 percent of kids aren’t getting enough sleep.
counterclaim: an acknowledgment of a concern or disagreement from those with opposing viewpoit
Example: Some may argue that starting school later won’t help kids get more sleep, that they’ll just go to bed later.
rebuttal: an author’s direct response to an opposing viewpoint or claim (the “comeback” to a counterclaim)
Example: Some may argue that starting school later won’t help kids get more sleep, that they’ll just go to bed later. ←[counterclaim] While that may be true in some cases, a 2018 study that looked at two schools in Seattle found that students’ sleep increased an average of 34 minutes each night after start times were moved nearly an hour later. ←[rebuttal]
For more argument terms support, see our Argument Terms Glossary , found in the Resource Library at Scope Online.
2. Project Esther’s essay and do a think-aloud that models each step in the Scavenger Hunt. Students can mark along in their magazines with you, or fill in the Scavenger Hunt graphic organizer found at Scope Online. This activity is offered on two levels; the lower-level version has students identify central claims, reasons, and supporting evidence only.
Identify Esther’s central claim . (What does Esther think?)
First, ask students: “Based on her essay, how would Esther respond to the question in the heading: Should students wear uniforms?” (Esther would say, “Yes, students should wear uniforms.”)
Think aloud: “I’m going to circle lines that express this big idea: ‘Uniforms would be a relief’ and ‘Maybe that’s why about one in five U.S. public schools have made the switch to uniforms, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. It’s time for Fairview to be one of them.’”
Underline Esther’s reasons . (Why does she think that?)
Think aloud: “I just circled Esther’s central claim—that is, what Esther thinks. Now I’m going to underline her reasons—or why she thinks what she thinks. I’m going to underline ‘If Fairview had uniforms, we wouldn’t have to waste time worrying about our outfits.’ Then I’m going to underline ‘If Fairview had uniforms, nobody would feel bad about not wearing the “right” clothes.’ Finally, I’m going to underline ‘If we don’t have to worry about clothes, we can focus more on learning.’”
Put check marks on two pieces of supporting evidence . (How does she know?)
Think aloud: “Can I find information Esther provides to back up her reasons?” Then draw students’ attention to the following three pieces of evidence: (1) “‘Wearing a uniform has helped me not worry about what my peers are wearing,’ says Lauren Sarpong, 14, who attends a Success Academy charter school in New York City.” (2) “According to a study from the University of Nevada, 37 percent of students at middle schools that recently switched to uniforms reported that they worry less about their appearance than they did before they wore uniforms.”
Star the counterclaim . (What does the other side say?)
Think aloud: “Where does Esther acknowledge a concern or concerns from the opposing viewpoint? I’m going to star ‘A common criticism of uniforms is that they impede self-expression.’”
Put a double star next to her rebuttal . (What is her response to the other side?)
Think aloud: “Does Esther have a comeback for the viewpoint that school uniforms impede self-expression? Yes. She says, ‘But there are plenty of other ways for students to show their individuality—such as their hairstyles or backpacks. And of course, students can wear what they want outside of school.’ I’m going to double-star both of those sentences.”
3. Have students work in pairs to complete the Scavenger Hunt for Malcolm’s essay, optionally using the Scavenger Hunt graphic organizer available at Scope Online. Then share out responses as a class. Sample responses:
Central claim: “Uniforms are unfair to students.” Students may also say: “Switching to uniforms would be a disaster for the students of Fairview Middle School.”
Reasons: “For one thing, students would be self-conscious”; “Regardless, the solution to meanness shouldn’t be to make us all look the same. It should be for us to learn to respect our differences and not judge people based on superficial things like clothing”; “The bottom line is that uniforms can make students feel uncomfortable, won’t solve bullying problems, and on top of it all, students simply don’t want to wear them.”
Supporting evidence: “. . . according to a report published in Public Health Review on uniform policies around the world, many uniforms aren’t well-designed and don’t always fit well. How is making students feel awkward and uncomfortable conducive to learning?”; “Here is a powerful statistic I did find though: Ninety percent of middle school students who recently switched to wearing uniforms said they don’t like wearing a uniform, according to a study from the University of Nevada. In that same study, only 17 percent of students reported that they were treated better than before they wore uniforms.”
Counterclaims: “Now, many say that a benefit of uniforms is that they can reduce bullying”; “Supporters of uniforms tend to point out that uniforms can improve punctuality, reduce behavior issues, and help students learn.”
Rebuttals: “But if we have to wear uniforms, we’ll just find something else to judge each other by—our socks or shoelaces or phone cases. Regardless, the solution to meanness shouldn’t be to make us all look the same. It should be for us to learn to respect our differences and not judge people based on superficial things like clothing”; “But there isn’t a lot of recent research to support those claims. Here is a powerful statistic I did find though: Ninety percent of middle school students who recently switched to wearing uniforms said they don’t like wearing a uniform, according to a study from the University of Nevada. In that same study, only 17 percent of students reported that they were treated better than before they wore uniforms.”
Discuss: Which evidence do you find most convincing in each essay? Least convincing? What do Esther and Malcolm agree about? Are there any important reasons you think they left out of their arguments? Answers will vary.
3. Write About It: What Do You Think?
Have students respond to the following questions in writing:
Who makes the stronger argument? Should students wear uniforms?
Home — Essay Samples — Education — School Uniform — The Benefits of School Uniforms
The Benefits of School Uniforms
- Categories: Art History School Uniform
About this sample
Words: 585 |
Published: Mar 16, 2024
Words: 585 | Page: 1 | 3 min read
Table of contents
Promoting equality, improving academic performance, enhancing school safety, instilling a sense of pride and belonging.
Cite this Essay
To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below:
Let us write you an essay from scratch
- 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
- Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours
Get high-quality help
Prof Ernest (PhD)
Verified writer
- Expert in: Arts & Culture Education
+ 120 experts online
By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email
No need to pay just yet!
Related Essays
4 pages / 1913 words
1 pages / 557 words
1 pages / 616 words
2 pages / 757 words
Remember! This is just a sample.
You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.
121 writers online
Still can’t find what you need?
Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled
Related Essays on School Uniform
Education is the bedrock of any society. It shapes the minds and skills of individuals, and ultimately contributes to the development and progress of a nation. However, the quality of education can vary significantly depending [...]
In recent years, the debate over whether students should be required to wear uniforms to school has gained significant attention. While proponents argue that uniforms promote discipline and a sense of equality, the question [...]
For years, schools have implemented dress codes with the intention of maintaining a sense of decorum and discipline among students. However, many argue that dress codes restrict students' freedom of expression and can perpetuate [...]
The debate over whether students should wear uniforms in schools has been a long-standing one. In this essay, we will explore the reasons why students should not wear uniforms, focusing on how uniforms can limit students' [...]
This source questions the impact of school uniforms on students’ academic achievement. The thesis includes a variety of perspectives on the issue. From an administrative standpoint, administers believe that mandatory school [...]
Introduction to the debate on whether students should wear uniforms Mention of the reasons for and against school uniforms Discussion of the role of uniforms in enhancing school security Potential risks of [...]
Related Topics
By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.
Where do you want us to send this sample?
By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.
Be careful. This essay is not unique
This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before
Download this Sample
Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts
Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.
Please check your inbox.
We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!
Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!
We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .
- Instructions Followed To The Letter
- Deadlines Met At Every Stage
- Unique And Plagiarism Free
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
1. The first school district in the United States to require all K-8 students to wear uniforms was Long Beach, CA, in Jan. 1994. 2. Americans spend around $1 billion per year on school uniforms. 3. Students at Eton, one of England's most prestigious schools, were required to wear black top hats and tails on and off campus until 1972.
Published: Mar 5, 2024. The debate over school uniforms has been ongoing for many years, with strong arguments on both sides of the issue. While some believe that uniforms promote equality and discipline, others argue that they restrict individuality and self-expression. In this essay, we will explore both sides of the argument and discuss the ...
Here are some key ideas you can incorporate in the body of your essay: Explain the essence of having school uniforms on students, teachers, and learning institutions. Issues such as security and safety, uniformity, and promoting togetherness or unity as benefits. It is easy to spot a student in uniform.
The students in this video discuss the pros and cons of school uniforms. A University of Nevada, Reno, survey of 1,848 middle school students, published in 2022, revealed that 90 percent did not like wearing a uniform to school. Only 30 percent believed the uniforms "might reduce discipline issues, a mere 17 percent thought the uniform helped ...
Argumentative Essay: School Uniform. The idea of school uniforms seems like an antiquated concept for many North Americans. Unless a child attends private school, it is not normally practiced by children and families. Yet around the world, wearing school uniforms is the norm. Students studying in schools requiring school uniforms generally ...
The debate over whether students should wear uniforms in schools has been a long-standing one. In this essay, we will explore the reasons why students should not wear uniforms, focusing on how uniforms can limit students' ability to express themselves, stifle their sense of identity and creativity, promote a culture of conformity, and create financial burdens that contribute to inequality and ...
Why school uniforms should be compulsory (essay) Education is a top priority here in the United States and is required for a child to acquire. When a child enters school campus grounds the school is responsible for the wellbeing of that student. They need to be able to feel safe and engaged in order to learn the material being taught by the ...
To access extended pro and con arguments, sources, and discussion questions about whether students should have to wear school uniforms, go to ProCon.org. Traditionally favored by private and parochial institutions, school uniforms are being adopted by US public schools in increasing numbers. According to a 2020 report, the percentage of public ...
The school uniform helps parents to save money on clothing. They can simply purchase 2 sets instead for school instead of paying hundreds to provide their children with lots of outfits to wear. Arguments against School Uniforms. Most students do not like wearing school uniforms, so they tend to take this side more often. Argument #1: Limit of ...
Argumentative Essay on School Uniforms Sample. ... In spite of the fact that expecting students to wear school uniforms may abuse their self-articulation solely, uniforms are assumed to be viewed as something positive, since they reduce students' bullying activities, join social classes and give the school grounds an expert look. ...
In Britain the students have to wear uniforms, with only the smallest schools being exempt. In America the rules are a little different, and most institutions may choose whether their students wear a uniform. I intend to prove that wearing a uniform makes a schoolchild proud to be part of the school and part of the team.
Sample Argumentative Essay on Should Students Wear School Uniforms. Numerous debates have been carried out on whether students should wear uniforms or not. Parents, teachers, students, and school administrations have all given their views on school uniforms with different arguments and opinions on all sides.
5. This essay sample was donated by a student to help the academic community. Papers provided by EduBirdie writers usually outdo students' samples. Cite this essay. Download. School uniforms are no new thing. They have been around since the 1500s and whether it consisted of a strict shirt and tie or a more casual polo shirt and black pants ...
Yeung, Ryan. Educational Policy, 2009, Vol. 23. doi: 10.1177/0895904808330170. Abstract: "One of the most common proposals put forth for reform of the American system of education is to require school uniforms. Proponents argue that uniforms can make schools safer and also improve school attendance and increase student achievement.
A key advantage of school uniforms is their potential to create a distraction-free learning environment. By eliminating the need for students to choose their outfits daily, uniforms can reduce the distractions associated with peer pressure and fashion trends. Students can direct their focus towards academics rather than being preoccupied with ...
Wearing a school uniform has a number of advantages that I want to highlight in my essay. The first reason why school uniforms are good is that they help not to judge students by their clothes. This eliminates comparing each other for what they wear based on their family income. As a result, it promotes equality.
Wearing school uniforms will help improve student individuality and improve their self-esteem. First, wearing matching uniforms can make students feel equal. Poor students would no longer feel excluded because they are not wearing name brand clothes like the richer kids. Kids sometime tease each other because of the brand of clothes that they wear.
Introduction examples. Pro: School uniforms ensure that all students have the same access to well-fitting, modest clothing during classes, and also erase the differences between richer and poorer students, putting them all on a more equal footing. Con: School uniforms are restrictive of personal expression, uncomfortable, and needlessly force children into gender roles due to making girls wear ...
School Uniform Debate. In schools across the world, the debate over whether students should be required to wear uniforms has been a contentious issue. While some argue that school uniforms promote a sense of unity and discipline, others believe that they stifle individuality and self-expression. This essay will explore the various arguments for ...
School Uniform (Argumentative Essay Sample) May 17, 2017 by admin Argumentative Essay, Essay Samples, Free Essay Samples. Last modified on July 15th, 2020. Uniforms. Schools uniforms are becoming a common trend in the current school system. Students, teachers, and parents have varied feelings about the need for students to wear uniforms. While ...
The bottom line is that uniforms can make students feel uncomfortable, won't solve bullying problems, and on top of it all, students simply don't want to wear them. That's why Fairview Middle School should say "no thank you" to uniforms. 1. Identify the central claim.
Uniforms have been a contentious topic in the education sector for many years. While some argue that they stifle individuality and self-expression, others contend that they promote a sense of unity and discipline among students. In this persuasive speech, I will argue that school uniforms play a crucial role in fostering equity and discipline ...
While some argue that school uniforms restrict individuality and self-expression, others believe that they offer a wide range of benefits that positively impact students, teachers, and the overall school environment. In this essay, I will explore the numerous advantages of school uniforms, including their ability to promote a sense of equality, improve academic performance, and enhance school ...