School uniforms for public schools...
By Gumball
@Gumball (793)
United States
June 3, 2007 1:03am CST
Do you think public schools should have just a decent dress code that they enforce or should the students be forced to wear uniforms?The schools where I live have recently decided to force all of the public school students next year to wear uniforms. I think it stinks.
Last week my daughter brought home a _3_ page list of requirements that every student from kindergarten through grade 12 will have to abide by, here's a sample:
No jeans or denim in any color allowed.
No cargo pants, no brand names or slogans showing, no t's or print t's allowed. All pants, trousers or capris can only be in khaki, navy or black and must be standard or relaxed fit, flat-front or pleated with standard waists. Pant legs must not drag the ground. All pants that have belt loops must be worn with a belt at all times. Belts can only be in either black, brown, blue or white.
All tops must be either polo or oxford style, or turtle neck or mock neck in solid colors. Shirts must have a collar and be tucked in at all times unless they have a 2 inch band around the bottom.
Sweaters can only be in a solid color and must be worn over an approved shirt, can not bag or hang in such a manner that items may be concealed beneath them.
Even the shoes have regulations:
Colors - black, brown, blue, or white
Shoes may be dress, casual, or non-cleated athletic.
Socks, tights, leggings - Only solid colors in blue, brown, black, or white
Skirts, skorts, or jumpers - colors: black, navy, khaki
Must be knee length or longer
The restrictions list:
No logos (except for manufacturer's logos on shoes)
No sandals, flip flops, or clogs
No tank tops, camisoles, sleeveless tops, sweat pants or sweat shirts, no hooded jackets, hooded sweaters, hooded shirts, overalls, loose fitting tops, tight fitting tops, no jewelry, no hair wraps or bandanas, no cleavage showing (teen girls will hate that one)and No sunglasses.
Any student considered out of uniform will be sent home to change clothes. Repeated violations will be seen as insubordination and the student will be subject to disciplinary consequences.
That's just part of the list.
I hate the idea of forced uniforms so much that I'm seriously considering putting my daughter into a private Christian school instead of public because the private schools aren't affected by the uniform policy. I figure I'll be able to afford the tuition because by the time I pay for all of the required stuff (times at least 3 of each thing) the tuition will be less money by comparison.
There's nothing on that list that says whether or not the teachers will have to abide by a dress code or not. I think if the students have to, so should they. I've seen some of the teachers at my daughter's school wearing shorts, flip flops & tank tops. The worst part? 90% of the schools here have lousy AC and the classrooms can become sweltering hot in late summer through early fall and again in late spring to the end of the school year. If the students have to wear all of this stuff, half of the student body will be passing out from the heat.
The school system is SO concerned about their image that they failed to remember the students are people. Uniforms will not make them learn any better.
They HAD a dress code before but they never bothered to enforce it. I think if they had, they wouldn't feel the need to go to the extreme of uniforms.
9 people like this
25 responses
@Angelwhispers (8978)
• United States
3 Jun 07
you know what Gumball, I don't think that is unreasonable. Please give me a chance here, first off, the have and have nots will no longer be separated by the kind of pants they wear. I have seen first hand how children are ridiculed for the clothes that they have no control over that they have to wear. Children will have a chance to express their individual tastes after school hours. There is plenty of time for parents to deal with piercings and tattoos. When you have a child in designer clothes, and the rest of the class in just plain jeans its a distraction.
I am not naive enough to think this will solve the problem of cliques, but it will go along way when everyone is wearing the same type of clothing. I even bet there will be organizations to help the poorer parents get started in buying (uniforms).
As far as the teachers? They are already held at the highest extreme, On the amount they are paid they are expected to come to work looking like they have a million bucks.
Christian schools work, very well but its not easy there either.
3 people like this
@filmbuff (2909)
• United States
3 Jun 07
I attendted a private christian school for a while when I was growing up. On average they were more disciplined and grades were better there because of the class sizes involved and the amount of attention that teachers gave the students. What used to bother me the most was praying for trivial things. Let us pray so we can learn, let us pray we do well on this test, etc. Used to burn me up....
2 people like this
@Angelwhispers (8978)
• United States
3 Jun 07
My husband went to catholic schools his whole entire school years. He really wore a uniform. White shirt, jacket and tie. No one would ever think about calling him a communist. Yes he hated it, once he got home the suit was thrown off and he was free, but during school hours when he was learning and in an educational environment, he was lassoed.
2 people like this
@filmbuff (2909)
• United States
3 Jun 07
This debate raged on when I was a student in junior high and high school as many schools wanted to do the very same thing.
As a student I hated the idea. It wouldn't let me "be myself" or an individual, instead I would have to blend in with everyone else and become part of a system I was rebelling against. On principle alone, I am against the idea.
A school uniform however, does have some merit as much as I hate to admit it. Many crimes happen in schools because kids steal shoes and jersey's of other kids.
Gangs routinely dress in their colors, having a uniform dress policy does not allow them to do that. It also prevents the hiding of weapons and contraband because the extremely baggy clothes are not allowed any longer.
Having a school uniform will probably make the schools that your children attend a safer place to be.
Once your children hit the "real world" and enter the workplace, chances are they will be dressing "business casual" then as well, which is the same way the school wants them to dress now. So they will be used to it.
Many chrisitian schools have the same type of dress code, and sometimes they are even more strict, so keep that in mind when you consider pulling them out of public school and putting them into one.
As for the cost of clothes, they really aren't any more expensive than buying jeans and tee shirts. The pants cost about the same, the shirts about the same, and it seems they can still wear tennis shoes so financially it shouldn't be any worse than the clothes you normally buy. The hardest part is the initial expense if all of their current clothes are jeans, etc.
@Angelwhispers (8978)
• United States
3 Jun 07
Well hello Filmbuff, BTW I have missed you. Very well said. I was beginning to think I was arguing this cause on my own. I am in agreement, I still have a 12 year old in school and will do anything to keep him safe. Clothes has been an issue for many many years. This is one way to put that dispute to rest.
3 people like this
@Gumball (793)
• United States
3 Jun 07
I could understand if the high schools were to adopt uniforms, but my daughter is 7 and a tomboy. She will not be able to run around and play at recess like she used to because she can't afford to ruin her school clothes. I don't have the money to replace every item that gets ripped or stained beyond repair. No clothes with patches will be allowed so if the knees get ripped out or torn, it has to be replaced.
2 people like this
@filmbuff (2909)
• United States
3 Jun 07
Hi Angelwhispers, I've missed you guys too. I've been busy and recovering the last week or so and just haven't had a lot of time to hang out on mylot.
I'm usually Mr. Liberal and at first glance you'd think that I would be against a school dress code. As I stated in my post above, on principle I am, but the benefits of a dress code and the logic involved just can't be faulted.
I'm all for less violence.
2 people like this
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
3 Jun 07
I hate to say it, but I actually wish our local schools would do this! Thank goodness my daughter graduated this year and my son has only one more year. The schools have become nothing more than fashion shows and one is judged by the labels which they are wearing. Our local private school (which only goes to 6th grade) has a uniform policy JUST LIKE the one you listed. The school is in my neighborhood so I go and help on occassion during lunch etc. The atmosphere is ENTIRELY different. The school isn't air conditioned, but the children are comfortable. They have on khaki shorts and white polos (or blue or red) It is so nice not to see the top 5 inches of the boy's underwear, students walking on their pant legs, the girls butt-cheeks, and etc like I see at the public school! As for cost, the cost of a few pair of khakis and a few no-name polos is MUCH cheaper than the in-style clothing that is on the racks..I promise! Try J.C.Penny catalog. That is where most of the mothers here get their childrens uniforms. They have a uniform section for kids. Seriously, be glad....I know it seems drastic now. But the alternative is really, really disgusting!
1 person likes this
@krishnakoduri (178)
• India
3 Jun 07
school uniform is always good and required irrespective of type of school it makes all students in a same platform and less comparison towards their status
@golfproo (1839)
• Canada
3 Jun 07
I do not think school uniforms are a good thing. The only time they become worthwhile is if the school is in a troublesome area. In that case the uniforms can act as a distinguisher between who belongs at the school and who does not. However, if this is not a concern then people should be allowed to wear what they want.
cheers
@sandwedge (1339)
• Malaysia
4 Jun 07
i think school uniforms are a great idea. this keeps ALL students an even playing field.
what i mean by this is that, students can concentrate on their studies instead of trying to "out dress" the next students.
i know of students from schools where there is no requirement of school uniforms envying those that do. they say that at least with school uniforms, those who cannot afford flashier and expensive clothes will not be judge by their looks but by their performance in school.
1 person likes this
@trinidadvelasco (11401)
• Philippines
4 Jun 07
yes, i agree with you sandwedge. children will in no way feel outclassed by any classmate by the dress they are wearing if they are coming into shcool in a school uniform. i had no problems at all as a student since my schools had this requirement. when i started working, i noticed how women used to outclass the other with their more fabulous clothes. the time came when the management viewed it to be a bad indication and so, they started providing office uniforms for the girls.
@dlufel (423)
• Australia
4 Jun 07
I think uniform is a good idea. Without uniform students will forced to learn that they are different with other students ( in terms of money). which most o the time will resulting them to feel shame about their own appearance and family's financial condition. Uniform will minimize these problems.
@trinidadvelasco (11401)
• Philippines
4 Jun 07
honestly, for me it is fine for schools to impose observance of uniforms in all schools. i have studied in private schools before. from grade school till college, students were required to wear school uniforms. this is also a way of making children getting disciplined. until now, children will not be admitted to classes once they are not in a complete set of recognized dress code from head to foot. yes, even the haircuts are also considered. long for girls to look lady like and haircuts are musts for boys.
@Yestheypayme2dothis (7874)
• United States
4 Jun 07
Since a school is a big place, they may have tried to enforce the dress code. Maybe time after time it was ignored, and they got tired of it. In Catholic uschools, the dress code is much stronger. Each person has to were the same outfit. In your daughter's new uniform code, she can choose colors and certain styles,etc.
@Swtrose (3385)
• Canada
3 Jun 07
I am all for school uniforms. They put all children at common ground. School should be about education. It isn’t a fashion show. FYI: Girls should not be showing cleavage. Think of the children who hear comments like, “you’re on welfare,” “your mom shops at thrift stores,” all because they are not dressed in the latest trends. Children can be cruel to one another. Not dressing in the latest cool fads can make you more of an outcast amongst your peers.
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
4 Jun 07
I agree that this does elimnate that problem in school. Too bad that doesn't trickle down into the time the kids spend together outside of school. Even though my sons friends all go to school with him, we all pay about the same rent, none of us are rich but there are major quality of life differences. Even though my son has friend, I know that there are a few that have made comment about how he always has new things and they don't. I feel bad.
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
3 Jun 07
Yes!!! I see so much of that in the community in which I live. There are definitely the 'haves' and 'have nots' and the 'have nots' are treated very differently! If all the kids were dressed alike, at least SOME of that would be removed!
@azimsay (543)
• India
3 Jun 07
For public school there is necessoy and not necessory.In public school poor boyes and rich girls and boyes are available.So costly uniforms no use for all the pupils.In school uniform all pupils like same caders.There is nodiffrents between in poor and rich.
@sedel1027 (17846)
• Cupertino, California
4 Jun 07
I have seen both sides of this. We have been doing the public school uniform thing (set colored pants/shorts and shirt) for some time now and have no problems with it. I thought it was a bigger pain when we were in Texas and the public school kids didn't wear uniforms and I had to worry about things like lenght of shorts. Now I just go to Wal-Mart online buy the shorts and pants, go to the local store and pick up the shirts and I am done. Either way you will have to buy new school clothes and in the big picture, the uniforms are cheaper.
I figured for this school year year - 3 shorts (9.99 ea.), 1 pair of pants ($12), 2 new shirts ($12 ea), 2 belts ($5 ea) - $65.98 + tax and that is if I can't get any clothes from the next clothing swap. If I had to buy the *right* clothes for him to wear to school, I would have to spend a lot more because he would need a seperate wardrobe.
@exodamus (1625)
• India
4 Jun 07
well uniforms sort of make the students feel equal. Nobody can showoff their affluence with their dresses. Because one comes to school to learn and to sxhiobit ones dress. Now as a parent we should encorage this dress code and not be aainst it.any way this is my opinion .
@Calais (10893)
• Australia
3 Jun 07
I dont mind it, I think that it looks smart and everyone looks the same, so there is no 'out doing each other' on the clothes. Here in Australia my daughter has always worn a school uniform in a public school and I wore one all through school too. But there is a bit of room for leaninency. That sounds like a full blown troopers school.
@retardedrugrat (4791)
• Canada
4 Jun 07
When I was in High School, I had to wear a uniform all the way through. If I remember correctly, we had to wear a navy skirt, white shirt, a maroon and yellow striped Tie, (yes even the girls!)and either a navy long sleeved sweater with a V neck, or a maroon Blazer.
Our socks had to be white, black or navy blue, and our shoes had to be black. In the winter, we could wear navy blue or black tights. The girls weren't allowed to wear pants.
I honestly don't think it bothered us. To a certain extent it stopped bullying in that kids didn't get bullied because of the clothes they wore, or the shoes they had. I remember our classrooms being stifling hot in the Summer too, but there was nothing to say that we weren't allowed to remove our sweaters or blazers.
@younglking (167)
• United States
4 Jun 07
If the parents do not have to paid for it.
Because alot of parents hate the cost of uniforms!
but i think it good to have uniforms because people need to stop thinking about what there wearing in school and more about school!
@Varshkala (12)
• India
4 Jun 07
School Uniforms should be encouraged until it is sponsored by the School..
