Should Public schools switch to uniforms?

ihateroses

I am guest teaching at a public middle school in South Korea and even with uniforms there is literally a hierarchy in the classroom. Students literally pick out one person in their class to be the "wanta" or "loser" and no one talks to that person and always picks on them....even the teachers can't do anything about it.

There is also the issue with the Northface Jacket popularity in the winter, the more expensive your jacket is the more popular you are (no I am not joking). http://www.cnngo.com/seoul/life/what-north-face-jacket-means-south-korea-032182

Becky1971

Yes! They started it here when my daughter was in fifth grade. Huge difference. Its progressed to more schools even a middle school. Being in and out of a different school everyday as a sub I see the difference it makes. I would love to see it district wide.

MellowGa

I like my kids to express themselves, so not a fan of uniforms

mnbramos

I went to public schools and my middle school, along with multiple high schools in the county, switched to uniforms when I was in 7th grade. As a kid I didn't enjoy it but once I got to high school it was nice to not have to worry about what to wear, and it probably saved my parents some money from buying "new school clothes" each year. It was all about shoes and purses since everyone looked the same!

I think it can certainly help those who aren't as fortunate & able to spend money on clothes, but it won't stop people from being bullied. You still have kids who have the dirty looking shoes, dirty clothes - if a bully is going to pick on someone, they're going to take whatever they can get....

ItsCasey

I think we should stop using things like uniforms to mask over the real problem, which is a complete and total lack of discipline.

fbmandy55

No. I attended a private school where I wore uniforms for 10 years, then a public high school where we only had a dress code (no tank tops, no vulgar clothing) for 4 years after that. I don't ever remember clothing being a distraction or an issue in school. I don't see what the point is. If kids get made fun of, it's not going to stop because of a uniform. Kid swill also find something: weight, hair, acne, cheap uniforms, shoes, etc... It doesn't change the focus of kid in the classroom. Our local cathloic high school has the strictest dress code but the biggest sluts in town the the most law-breaking boys in town. Typically, none of them amount to anything but thrive off parent's money.

lisa1231

My son attends public shcool and they are required to wear uniforms. I like it. It's easier for both he and I. I remember when I went to public school and in high school it was a huge fashion show. You weren't cool if you didn't have designer name brands. It was hard for my mom financially to pay for those clothes. When you are a teenager you don't think of that, your main concern is fitting in. So yeah, I'm a big supporter of school uniforms.

kendrafox

YES - it is financially better for parents and it will possibly get rid of a lot of the bullying that goes on...

how is it financially better? Uniforms are expensive and kids grow out of them real quick. The uniforms can get worn out looking just as fast as regular clothes and the kids will still get teased. Kids will still find something to tease about because it is not about the clothing it is about the need to feel better or look better and these kids have to have someone to use as a scape goat for that purpose.
eta: spelling

I agree. I work at a public high school that has uniforms and my son goes to an elementary school where they where uniforms. The thing is, it is in no ways cheaper. Yes, they now where uniforms, but so many of the students try to push the limit as far as they can to still be individuals. Also, they want no part of staying in a uniform all day so you know have to buy two sets of cloths, the uniform and casual. As to the teasing, there are kids who are still teased about what they are wearing even in uniforms. Even if there aren't uniforms, kids are cruel. They will tease about weight, hair, shoes, etc., they will find a way to find something to tease about. I believe in free expression and am morally against uniforms.

kelsully

I do not view uniforms as means of making kids not tease one another. Kids will just do that. I do not think uniforms keep kids from knowing who is a "has" and who is a "has not". I think uniforms can be cheaper but that they are not always cheaper. I do not think uniforms eliminate kids pushing boundaries. When the kids have a dress code about tank tops and no vulgar language etc they will push the rules and when they have uniforms the kids push the rules. I have taught in both situations and don't think the kids are different because of the uniforms in that regard. Also, and I can say with certainty, the uniforms in no way, shape, or form hinder students from showing their individuality. Kid adopt uniforms of their own clique and think they are expressing their individuality, but what they are really showing is that they can dress just like their friends. Uniforms or no uniforms there are wallflowers who try to hide in the wood work, there are loud silly kids, there are jocks and cheerleaders etc.

One thing about uniforms is a frame of mind that I like. When in uniform the kids are in school mode. From the time they get dressed they recognize it is time for school. When it is a dress down day for my kids or at the school where I teach there is a different attitude about the day. As a professional I look forward to jeans and tshirt days just like the kids but we all have a tendency to be more casual about everything all day...when we are all in our uniform, me included in my professional dress, we know we are there to do the job of learning.

I like it as a parent and a teacher. My kids and my students don't seem to care. The kids who bellyache about the uniforms are the same kids who bellyache about every supposed injustice in their life, such as the teachers give too much homework, mom grounded them because of breaking curfew and that is SO UNFAIR>>>whine whine whine., the school is lame because the school day starts when they are still tired, the lunch room is lame because they ran out of big cookies before they got there...whine whine whine. It really only appears that the kids that actively dislike uniforms are the kids that actively dislike everything.

Jen2Bfit

Al of our public schools are in uniforms up until HIgh School

mfp_junkie

No, and my grade 6 child does not have to wear a uniform at his public school. Let kids wear what they want. Cannot imagine it would be cheaper, unless he's wearing them 7 days a week, during all waking hours.

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PunkyRachel

I agreed with this even when I was in high school. It was talked about 10 years ago in our school district, and it got shot down real fast.

angelpie36426

Our county schools have had uniforms for years, k-12.I think it is a good thing,but sometimes I think if they could enforce this, they could enforce a dress code with normal clothes, say jeans and t-shirts, which is what most kids live in anyway. The only draw back was having to buy uniforms for school and then more clothes for other times. I was blessed to have two boys who I could pass somethings down. But it was a financial burden at times when I had to buy multiple sets of uniforms for both at the same time as I am sure it is for many low income families. Not to mention the shoes and clothes for outside of school. I was so glad when my oldest graduated last year. Now I only have one to buy uniforms for over the next four years. He will be a high school freshman this fall. I think if the school board put more thought into it they could come up with something to help ease the financial burden. County officials can seem so out of touch with what it is like to live on a low income. They need a reality check sometimes. I am saying this and I work for the county.

GoodbyeFatChick

my son's school just switched BACK to regular clothes after being in uniform for years!!! There was no diff in the teasing aspect from before to after...and the kids are much happier now that they can wear what they want and express themselves for who they really are! I DISAGREE with unifoms

I agree with this totally, my kids go to public school and they have to wear uniforms and I can honestly say that I spent more money the last 2 years in uniforms for them because I got one child that is short and rather "round" and have to go to a seamstress to have all of her pants hemmed and by the end of the year last year she could not wear her clothes I bought so I had to buy her new ones, all for like 2 months of school and then at the beginning of school she couldn't wear those. My other daughter is so skinny that I can't find them small enough in the waste and long enough in the length. So anyway back to what my point was, I have to buy them 2 sets of clothes clothes for school, clothes for after school and the weekends. They are girls and they want to be pretty. People are still rude and bully no matter what, I can't tell you how many times I have been to the school about my daughter who has a learning disability and they bully her around all the time, so it is not about the clothes they are wearing, it is all about how you bring up your children and teach them how to treat others. My daughter came home with a black eye, got shoved off a swing, got told she was going to be killed and told she was too skinny, ugly, and other terrible hateful things. I have went to the school countless times, it does no good and they should be worrying more about what the kids are doing than what they are wearing to school IMO and she is just in the 3rd grade!! The kids are not stupid, they know the well off kids from the poor kids and it would not matter about the clothes they are wearing. I feel sorry for people that are on a low income/fixed income because I don't know how they do it with no help. Oh I know because of the school system and their ignorance have to punish their children and make them wear school uniforms around all the time (After school, evenings, weekends, and everywhere they go.) That is what makes the kids stick out more than anything....Ok carry on my rant is over....

poncho33

Hell no. Promotes socialism.

Agree!

karenjoy

I am quite happy to wear school uniform

kr1ssy23

This year is the first year my kids are wearing a uniform at school due to us moving. They arent too happy about it but Im willing to give it a try.

ShaneOSX

No. Kids are entitled to freedom of expression just like anyone else. Plus uniforms really pull into stark light the fact that out children are just cogs going through the motion in a completely broken, cynical machine.

When my middle school switched to uniforms I simply refused to wear them. The teachers and principal all liked me, I was one of if not the best student in the school, so they just ignored it. I wore jeans or pants with nice button down long sleeve shirts. I certainly didn't violate any notion of a dress code (aside from the uniform obviously), and I got to wear what I WANTED to wear.

confettibetti

Our public schools switched 3 years ago to uniforms. Solid color polo and either khakis or navy pants/shorts/skirts...

sugboog29

My grandchildren go to public school and my grandson is now in high school..no more uniforms for him. His sister who is in 6th still has to wear one. I think it is great...levels the playing field, so to speak. I know some folks think uniforms are expensive, but the city they live in only requires khaki, navy, or black pants and the shirts have to be collared and can be white, or their respective school colors. I find that buying her school clothes at Wal-Mart, Old Navy, or the good old clearance rack works for me! Got her a cute black skirt for school at her favorite store, Justice, for $7. And trust me...she is a fashionista!

PBsMommy

I finished high school in a private school and had to wear a uniform daily. The great thing about wearing it was I never had to worry about selecting clothes in the morning and was never ridiculed for choice of clothing.
So should public schools switch to them?While I'm for individuality, I think that with the competitive nature of education and schooling, the last thing kids need to be distracted by is being concerned about being teased just because of choice of clothing. I know right now that "gang" paraphernalia isn't allowed to be worn and that there are rules about how short dresses and skirts can be. I bring it up because after having a client yesterday, she told me her daughter (in middle school) was being ridiculed by other girls for what she wore that day. It ended up being an argument and later she and a few other girls were taken aside by the principal to iron out the issue.
Even though kids will still find something else to tease about, possibly having uniforms can help to at least stop or reduce the teasing of clothing being worn.
Thoughts?

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I went to a public middle school and they wore "uniforms". From my experience the only way uniforms will REDUCE kids teasing about clothes is if the administration says they can only wear one brand name or if everyone is made to purchase them from the same place or through the school. We had to wear tan or black pants and yellow, black, white or gray collard or t-shirts. Everyone still picked their own clothes chain and own brand name and kids with less money or "worse" clothes were still made fun of.

My personal opinion is it really doesn't matter. Even if kids are giving the same standard uniform it will not change a thing. It will give them one less thing to tease about. But realistically if a kid is a mean spoilt brat/heathen , he/she was raised to be that way or it's just in their personality. They WILL find something to point out on anyone they want. Honestly, it's just the real world. There are nice people and there are douche bags. The sooner kids/teens learn this, the better. But that is just my humble opinion.

fit_librarian

I think so, personally. I would've loved uniforms. And my sister takes forever picking out her school outfit everyday. I think a uniform would show her that there are more important things than what you wear.

cressievargo

Our school district doesn't have a uniform policy, but my son attends a magnet school w/in the district, and he does have a uniform policy.

As for those talking about the cost - either way, I am paying for clothing for my kid...so that argument is pointless. I buy most of my son's clothing at the resale shop - I rarely pay more than $2 a pair for pants and 90% of them are "name brand" (not that either he or I care). I bought his polo shirts for $3 a piece at Wal-Mart, and some of them at Kohl's on sale. I pick them up all year long when I see clearances.

And - for the record - EVERY KID in our school district gets free lunch. And we would qualify even w/o that - so we ARE low income - it's not about income, it's about shopping smart.

mcedes02

YES YES YES!!!! Having put up w/ a stepdaughter that thinks that she's allergic to anything BUT the highest dollar name brands when we nor her mother can barely afford 2nd hand prices (my hubby has 4 kids between his ex and I) I really think uniforms would be wonderful!!! The middle school she's getting ready to start DOES require them!!! With the trashy way some want to dress anymore uniforms would be a blessing!! It shouldn't matter WHAT kids wear...it's not a fashion show it's school.....a time for learning! Theres so much emphasis put on competition in schools that clothes should NOT be one of them! IMO!!!

rhonniema

Kid will make fun of each other uniform or not.
I did both got ridiculed when I went to public & private school.
Heck, uniforms cost just as much as regular clothes too.
I never had an issue of picking out what to wear when I switched from public to private school because my mother still picked out my clothes until I got to high school. :indifferent:

Nicolette_Karls

I attended a Catholic school from K-8, where we had to wear uniforms everyday except for special "Out of Uniform" days. It wasn't terrible, but bullies will find things to ridicule you about. In fact, I was bullied more while wearing uniforms than I was when I went to public high school with no uniforms. There's a small percentage of bullies that target kids because of what they wear. Usually the ridicule focuses on things like personality, physical appearance, intelligence, and interests. I wore sweat pants and over-sized tshirts almost everyday in high school, and I never got made fun of for it.

I guess my point is that what you wear doesn't prevent bullying. Even when everyone is dressed in the same uniform, people who want to be bullies will find something to say. The important thing is to teach kids to identify bullying and deal with it in a constructive manner.

kit8806

When I was in high school, my mom, a single parent, had to buy school clothes for me and my 3 sisters and we usually got them from Kmart or on the clearance rack.. so my 1 sister and I weren't exactly "trendy" with the best of the best... now, my youngest 2 sisters are in highschool and my mom has more money for them, and they shop at american eagle, hollister, etc..... the prices are crazy! my 1 sister pretty much refuses to wear anything that isn't "brand name". Even when I was in high school, I would have preferred uniforms! Just easier! I wasn't one who got picked on for clothes, I didn't really care what others may have thought, but I'm for Uniforms!!

Also, without the uniforms, I can't tell you how many times we had the skinny girls who wore their skirts just below their butts, but got away with it because of who they were/how they looked, but the girl who wore it an inch above the knee had to either have a parent bring in clothes or wear the "lost and found" sweat pants in the nurses office.... Uniforms would be so much better!!!

laurenellenmarie

I went to Catholic School. I wore a uniform from Kindergarten to Senior Year. I wouldn't have it any other way. LOVED it.

travisseger

My two daughters go to a private school that require uniforms, and while it may be expensive, I do like the fact that it eliminates kids picking on other kids over what type of clothes their parents can or can't afford. My favorite part is that it makes getting dressed for school quick and easy. No arguments or time wasted over what to wear.