School Uniforms-yay or nay?

[shortbun]

Our school board is considering requiring all students in our system to wear uniforms. I have no idea why as they have not explained the reason for their idea. I am against it only because only our high schools are air conditioned as of now or evenly heated. Our old schools have horrible heating systems that make top floors infernos and freeze out the kids on the bottom floors. Also, in the summer months, the old buildings have huge windows and the sun bakes the kids on the top floors who are on the sunny side of the buildings while children below ground with no windows stay cool. How can we require children to dress alike? We can't until we solve these problems. Also, my husband and I stress diversity, the beauty of being unique and individualism. So, the school system says everyone must look the same. What message does that send? Then, there are the students whos parents do not have time to continually clean the same clothes over and over nor the money to buy several sets of uniforms....more dirty smelly children. What about the really skinny kids or overweight kids whose uniforms are uncomfortable? I could go on and on... and avoid mentioning some reason.
Who's kids wear them and like them-I need help. What about those of you who hate uniforms? I need more ammo. Thanks in advance.
Mimi

 

[jenks0718]

No uniforms! I like that kids can wear what they want (within school guidelines of course). My favorite memories of school were going out with my mom or friends to get my new school clothers for the year. It allows kids to be individuals.

 

[ozarkmom]

My son woke up this morning griping because his favorite shorts weren't clean and my 15 yr. old daughter was in tears because she "has nothing to wear"! I've said for years that I'd love school uniforms. There wouldn't be any melt down about clothes they'd know what they were wearing. When they're out of school they could be fashionable. On a side note especially with girls there is alot of pressure to wear the right clothing. At least at school this would be a non issue. So Yay

 

[KelNottAt]

Sorry, but I don't share your opinion.

I find uniforms to be easy and convenient. There are usually a variety "approved" items for the kids to wear, including sweaters, short sleeves, shorts, etc to address the heating/cooling issue. Likewise, they come in regular, slim, and husky sizes.

As for individuality, I think that's found inside a person, not in the clothes somebody wears. If we remove the status symbols and fashion fads from a kid's wardrobe, his or her individuality is more likely to shine through. Otherwise, it's masked and artificially tied to brands and styles he or she wears.

Finally, I don't think expense is a huge issue. Parents usually get new school clothes for their kids anyway. It's just a matter of trading a "regular" clothes budget for a "uniform" clothes budget. Plus, with uniforms, a family might actually save money because there's much more opportunity for hand-me-downs...even between boys and girls on unisex items like sweaters and socks.

Sorry. You probably don't like my response. But, look at it this way: Maybe by reading the other side of the coin, you'll be better prepared to present your case.

 

[Nite0wl71]

My DD is in 7th grade (public school) and has been wearing them since Kindergarten. I really like them. The uniforms are white polos or blouses, black/blue pants or skirts for girls. You can buy them at Target, K-Mart etc and they are made by French Toast. You can buy any brand of pants.

Everybody wearing the same thing is not a problem, in fact it eliminates some. No one is competing with the latest fashions and getting dressed in the morning is a snap with the only choice being blue or black and not what so and so is wearing.

The cost is alot cheaper then buying regular clothes, she has 5 shirts and 3 pants. If she didn't have uniforms it would cost a fortune to dress her, after all girls can't wear the same clothes in a month.

I dread when she starts HS, the jeans alone are gonna cost a fortune

 

[tiff211]

I for one LOVE uniforms, dd5 wears them now. They are not very strict. She can wear blue skirt, pants or jumper, with white or blue socks and white shirts. She has about 4 pants, 2 jumpers and 2 skirts. They are sold everywhere now. I see the blue and the khaki. French Toast has a website that has uniforms and accessories. I have seen them at Target, Burlington Coat factory and K-mart. According to the season, you can get long or short sleeve polos and sweaters to wear over.

Although individual expression is great, most want to dress like their peers, wearing the hottest fashion. I know DD14 would come home all the time telling me what designer label she just HAD to have. Uniforms elminated all of that and also prevents those who can't afford, the newest latest from standing out because the don't fit it in.

I wore a uniform in JR/HS, you'd be surprised how we still managed to bring our own unique style in our dress!!!

 

[kbkids]

Had a big discussion about this awhile back, and from what I remember, it was kinda split. I, for one, don't like them. Our school voted it down three years ago overwhelmingly, so it hasn't been brought back up again. To me, I don't see the money savings. I'm still having to buy other clothes, and with uniforms, I would be doing twice as much laundry. Unless we've got soccer practice or dance class, she stays in what she wore to school all day. With uniforms, I'm not going to let her go out back and play in the yard with those on. Not to mention - I wouldn't want to wear the same thing every day - why should the kids? And I agree, not everyone looks good or feels good in the same type of clothing. My DD has dance class with three girls who go to a private school here. They come in each week in their uniforms and go change into dance clothes. My DD came up to me awhile back and whispered, "Thank you for not making me go to that school. They really all have to wear the exact same thing?? How weird!"

 

[Crankyshank]

Well I went to Catholic school and believe me there are ways to express your individuality even with a uniform. I also endured crazy fluxes in building temps from room to room because of old school building (only the public school kids had ac)- only I had a sweater that had to be worn from Oct-April with the uniform.
I think the plusses that Kelnottat illustrated with uniforms far outweigh the negatives.

 

[kpm76]

I'm a big supporter of school uniforms. I wore one in elementary and Jr. High school and it never bothered me. I went to a pretty affluent high school and the pressure to "keep up" with the latest fashions was intense....and that was more than 12 years ago....can't imagine what it would be like now! I don't think uniforms decrease a persons chance to express their individuality but they remove the distraction of checking out what other people are wearing. They also are great for families that cannot afford to buy all designer clothes for their kids, thus, the kids don't have to worry about being made fun of etc. It forces kids to focus on the real reason they are in school which is to learn.

 

[foolishmortal]

my son has been on school uniforms for 2 years now, and I love them.

There is diversity in that you have 3 different pants/shorts you can wear (as well as girls can wear skirts/dresses of those colors) There is 2 different polo shirts they can wear, and the school also sells 3 different t-shirts they can by and wear anyday they choose as well.

Duting the year they have "dress down day" which is $1.00 to participate but that day they can wear anything they want which falls within district guidelines, but jeans t-shirts, etc..are all ok this day....and it helps raise money fo different groups in th school.

Also you know how much easier it is to get him ready for school? What would take an hour to find something to wear etc...now is easy..pick a pair of pants..pick a shirt...lol

As for the indivuality of things, they can wear any shoes they want, they can have any backpacks an jackets they want, and the mentioned dress down day...thee is plenty of time for them to express themselves....also there is the weekends and ALL SUMMER....lol


edited to add:

My son doesn't mind them at all. He is 10 and like I said this is his 2nd year in this school. He usually plays in the uniform when he gets home, but if he ios going to baseball practice or going to be more rough in play he changes....but over the course of 1 week what is that maybe 1 extra load...not much more laundry at all.

 

[wvrevy]

This is one of those issues I really go back and forth on. On one hand, I am wholeheartedly against anything that takes away anyone's individuality (we have enough sheep in this country as it is). On the other, I am for most anything that will aid in creating a better environment for learning, and I can see where this may be the case with uniforms.

So, for those of you out there wondering who reads these threads and can be "convinced" by either side...

 

[auntpolly]

DD wore them in HS and the kids complained alot but I think they were kind of proud to wear them in a way they'd not often admit. Now, DD's blazer is kept in a place of honor in her room and I know she loves it.

I think they were great. She went to a prep school that was expensive, but had a huge endowment and there were lots of kids on scholarship, so it really helped level the playing field a little. The rich kids looked no different than poor ones.

 

[AprilShowers]

Yay for uniforms!!
I find absolutely NO downside to wearing uniforms.
I don't spend anymore. They had school clothes and play clothes, and now they still do.
We have 3 or 4 bottoms and several shirts. There is NEVER a problem with laundry. They can wear a pair of pants more than once before it is laundered. It does NOT make them smelly kids.

 

[ChrisnSteph]

Sorry, but I don't share your opinion.

I find uniforms to be easy and convenient. There are usually a variety "approved" items for the kids to wear, including sweaters, short sleeves, shorts, etc to address the heating/cooling issue. Likewise, they come in regular, slim, and husky sizes.

As for individuality, I think that's found inside a person, not in the clothes somebody wears. If we remove the status symbols and fashion fads from a kid's wardrobe, his or her individuality is more likely to shine through. Otherwise, it's masked and artificially tied to brands and styles he or she wears.

Finally, I don't think expense is a huge issue. Parents usually get new school clothes for their kids anyway. It's just a matter of trading a "regular" clothes budget for a "uniform" clothes budget. Plus, with uniforms, a family might actually save money because there's much more opportunity for hand-me-downs...even between boys and girls on unisex items like sweaters and socks.

Sorry. You probably don't like my response. But, look at it this way: Maybe by reading the other side of the coin, you'll be better prepared to present your case.

I agree 100% with everything you said! I would be thrilled if our school district went to uniforms. It benefits everybody - especially those whose parents can't afford to buy the latest fads. Uniforms are way less inexpensive than regular clothes, plus the wear and tear on the regular clothes would be less. I can't think of anything negative about it. It's very superficial to think that what you wear defines you as an individual. It might be appropriate in the modeling/high fashion world, but not on the playground. How does that thinking apply to the kid whose parents can't afford the popular clothes? I think uniforms would put an end to alot of problems kids have at school.

 

[2Xited4Disney]

I say yay... I went to Parochial School for 6 years and wore a shirt and tie with nice pants every day. I felt very confident. Now that I am in college I feel natural wearing nice clothes on Job interviews and during presentations.


As for GYM uniforms I say NO NO .... we had to wear either Blue CREW NECK Sweat Shirt with Blue Sweat pants. or Blue t shirt with blue sweat shorts.... Yes I said SWEAT SHORTS....

now when you think of blue think of a blue crayon... not navy or light blue... like STRAIGHT ON BLUE!

 

[Sandy V.]

I agree with everything KelNottAt said, especially this part:

As for individuality, I think that's found inside a person, not in the clothes somebody wears. If we remove the status symbols and fashion fads from a kid's wardrobe, his or her individuality is more likely to shine through. Otherwise, it's masked and artificially tied to brands and styles he or she wears.

I live in a suburban upper middle class area, and my teens go to a college-prep leaning high school. You would not believe how many kids are "looked down upon" by the "haves" regarding what they wear and what they drive. They don't have uniforms, but I sure wish that they did. To me, they're a great equalizer.

 

[auntpolly]

I say yay... I went to Parochial School for 6 years and wore a shirt and tie with nice pants every day. I felt very confident. Now that I am in college I feel natural wearing nice clothes on Job interviews and during presentations.

This is an excellent point. DD thought she would start wearing pj bottoms and sweatshirts to class once she got to college, but just never could break the habit of looking nice every day. It's a side effect of uniforms that can be great!!

 

[gr8ful4Him]

I for one would love to see our school district implement uniforms. I agree with KelNottAt with all of the reasoning and will add this: As much as you would hope that it isn't true, people are judged on what they choose to wear...good or bad. Basically, you wouldn't be able to look at a kid's clothing and determine right away that kid is a prep, jock, punk, nerd, pothead, or whatever else group you can think of. If you take away that initial clothing judgement, everyone at least starts with a clean slate.

 

[Laura]

I'm kinda in-between, and leaning towards "nay". I had to wear them in Catholic school for several years and there were ways that I had to "keep up" with the other girls who had more $$. Shoes, jewelry, hairdos, etc. You knew who the nerds and the punks and the jocks were even with uniforms.

The only options girls had were wearing the tartan skirt or the hideous tartan pants, and we had to get them at the uniform store. Nobody wore the pants, and the girls froze in winter. We could buy our white dress shirts anywhere. The guys basically just had to wear a specific color of polo/dress shirt (light blue) and slacks (navy) and they weren't necessarily bought at the uniform store. So wearing a certain "brand" was very important if you wanted to be "cool." And honestly, when I switched to public school in 7th grade, what you wore didn't seem as important.

Is wearing a uniform more conducive to learning? I don't know about that. A simple dress code will take care of most distracting clothing.

 

[foolishmortal]

for those saying it is more exspensive for uniform..that couldn't be further from the truth. The clothes is way cheaper for us as our son has a "taste" for the more exspensive clothing...hmm was dad a part of that...lol, and at year end June July timeframe...you can go to Dillards and buy next years clothes for almost nothing.

We bought about 9 shirts and 8 pants (diff sizes for next couple of years) from dillards last suimmer all for under $50.00. Once summer is done and uniforms no longer needed they go on a STEEP discount. I mean $2.00 - $4.00 per pant or shirt....it's awesome...you can't go to Dillard and get jeans or t-shirts for that price ever!