Unifroms or no uniforms?

Well, as an ex-teacher I can see a few reasons for school uniforms:
(1) They can give a student a pride in and sense of belonging to a group (the school);
(2) A bit like the military, if kept looking smart, they help give self-esteem;
(3) They assist to a certain extent in maintaining discipline in public outings, as one knows who is a school member;
(4) They have the potential to be cheaper that individual clothing, as they can be "mass-produced".
(5) It has been stated that a uniform does away with any attempts at "class discrimination" in that everyone, rich or poor, is wearing the same.

Of course, I understand that kids are "people" too, and like to assert their own individuality and tastes in clothing that they are comfortable with... which is natural, I guess. There are "mufti days" and after school hours that allow for that.

As far as work uniforms go, again it can give one pride in being "one of the team"; and it identifies one as such to customers and other staff members who don't know one personally. Thus, its a good security aid.

uniforms
Helps poor children fit in without continuous self consciousness
It also takes focus off comparison and competition.
plus MANY more benefits

I'm all for them. Many of the obvious reasons have been mentioned.

As for individuality, they should get used to the conforming heel society crushing it at an early age.

I wish they'd had them when I was younger. Most of the snots that wanted to express themselves were the ones that could afford designer clothes. I got teased mercilessly with my two sets of tattered KMart clothes.

I hate to take away freedoms, too, but the fact is, the social aspect of clothing and the peer pressure have gotten so far out of hand in a lot of American public schools, that it actually impedes the learning process. I see it as an equalizer, giving the poorer students who can't afford the "brands" one less thing to worry about. It wakes all of the kids up to the fact that, "hey, we're in school, and we need to behave like it." You want to express your personality? Do it with your brain, through your schoolwork. You can wear what you want at home.

I have to say no uniforms, all my life I was made to wear them. I believe everyone is special and should wear their own way of clothing. It should be appropriate of coarse but people should stop voting for communism!

About five years ago in my home town school uniforms became mandatory. Student grades went up, student crime went down - teachers had less problems. You decide.

Sorry, guys, but I too am FOR uniforms. Many great reasons already listed. It takes the hassle out of trying to figure out 'what's cool' to wear when you're at that age. Jealousy, flauting & not fitting in are issues many students face during those years & can make one feel inferior. Plus, you can still express who you are outside of what you wear &/or outside of the classroom.

No uniforms...we are not livestock...

I NEVER wore my complete uniform at school.

i wish i had uniforms in school... i hated having to think about what i was going to wear everyday

You can make whatever arguments you want against them, and all those arguments for self-expression and individuality sound good, but the basic facts are there. Wearing them is sound educational practice. The students do get better grades, discipline is less of a problem.

Let's remember what the actual point of going to school is, people! It's about education! Hello!

Aganst.....I wore the band uniform....and I wore one in the military....And of corse the ones for work....But that was my choice.....

And as far as sit helping the kids fit in....Come on....Get real will you people...Unless you are also issuing school shoes....Where everyone wears the exact same shoe.....I think not.....The same book bag......I think not.....Use the exact same shampoo or soap after gym.....I think not...Wear the exact same hair style....I think not....

Well you get my picture....Kids are going to fiund something to keep the cool kids at the top of the ladder....and the uncool kids out....I mean there is nothing worse at a wolf pack mentality...that school kids...Uniforms...or no uniforms...There will always be the ones that pick on....and the ones that get picked on....It is not right....But it is just the way that it is...

My kids got picked on because their father was a home town cop.....and the others were farmers kids....Now this was a place where the farmers drove around in Merceadies.....So I told my kids to tell the teacher first....But if nothing was done.....Not to toss the first punch....But make sure that they were the ones that threw the last one.....Kids stopped picking on my kids...And when they tried to toss out my kids....Well they never were...And the farmers kids got in so much trouble....hehehehe

Uniforms are great to even things out, everyone looks the same so the girl or boy who's family cant afford designer clothes doesn't have to feel left out . In a perfect world, I would have to say no I had to wear them for 8 yrs. of grammar school and 17 yrs. of working foro Law Enforcemrnt agencies, all mens uniforms too may I add.
As a Mom, they are GREAT- No worrying about what to wear each day .

Didn't wear uiforms at my school but we had a really strict dress code: no blue jeans, skirts for girls, blouses and shirts to be tucked in, etc. etc. I wish we could have had uniforms.
I am for uniforms at school, and in some circumstances, at work.
You never have to worry in the morning about what you are going to wear.
You always look smart.
There's a certain air of "privilege" about school uniforms.
Nobody can "outdress" you - that is, kids whose parents have more money are wearing the latest fad or have the most and best clothes, as opposed to kids wearing thrift shop clothes.
Everyone is dressed the same at school only. But everyone looks different. I think uniforms bring out a person's individuality - they learn how to stand out in a crowd without having to depend on clothes to do it for them. There's plenty of opportunity for creative and individual taste after school and on weekends and holidays.
Of course, if your school colours are mustard and magenta, I think you should stage an all-out revolt.

Oh, and furball - it looks like you need some tutoring in English class.

I used to hate wearing uniforms at school but now I wish I wore a uniform to work! No more thinking what the hell to wear in the morning or making sure not to wear the same thing twice in a week...

U.N.I.F.O.R.M.S.

Uniforms are a uniform dress code!..It saves Competition in dressing for the day!...Uniforms , can work out cheaper as you only need two or three a year!

..Definitely UNIFORMS!!

No uniforms. How dare they take away freedom of expression from kids.

Personally I'm against uniforms - unless the school pays for them!

Waiwera makes excellent points for uniforms. I've never had to wear them, but they do also infringe on personality. But if you are one of less privileged children who cannot afford the clothes to keep up with the other children, you can be harshly reprimanded by the more privileged ones. Children can be cruel.

i am definitely for uniforms. i wasn't poor, or low income, but my parents didn't think spending money on my clothing was particularly important. i was teased relentlessly (blue light special in aisle 5!). as kids get older & try to get part time jobs, most will have to be in uniform, & when they begin their career, they will have to dress a certain way. they may as well get used to it early, there are some things that you don't like but you have to deal with it anyway.