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.

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...