School Uniforms-yay or nay?

[kydisneyfans]

We're talking school aged children-not the army-no to uniforms.

I am in favor of a strict dress code which eliminates to outrageous "fad" clothing, piercings, etc.

 

[froglady]

My children attend(ed) a private MS/HS. When DD attended, there was a strict dress code, but no uniforms. It was a hassle to find teen clothes that she liked but also were acceptable. A couple of times I told her that I didn't think something would fly, but she insisted. The school keeps a supply of "appropriate" clothes on hand for students who violate the code to wear.

By the time DS started last fall, the MS had been wearing uniforms for a couple of years. My life is soooo much easier. I bought them before school started, hemmed pants, and never had to think about it again. There are enough choices to cover all weather conditions (shorts, long pants, long & short sleeve polos, hoodies, polar tech jacket, etc.) He has to wear an oxford cloth shirt and tie on chapel day, but he can also wear them with a jacket on Sunday, etc. The same goes for the nubucks he wears with long pants.

There is a "used" uniform sale at the end of the year, so parents can sell outgrown items. I was given several things by a neighbor last fall, so I had to buy very little. The style hasn't really changed since uniforms were started, which also limits the need to purchase new things.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

I would love uniforms. There is too much comptetition and labeling with the kids and what they wear. If you don't buy the nice more expensive clothes , your looked down upon.

I went to catholic schools, uniforms didn't bother me then and looking back I still they are good.

 

[mickeyboat]

I vote yes for uniforms. I wish we had them here. I am already fighting with my 6 year old about appropriate dress for school.

We had uniforms in elementary school, and I had no problem with them. At the beginning of each year the school had a trade-in porgram, where you could trade in the uniforms you have grown out of for a larger size.

Denae

 

[joanchris]

Here is our school dress code:

TOPS:
1. Plain white, navy blue, light blue, green (hunter or kelly-not lime)**, short sleeve or long sleeve polo shirt, oxford shirt, blouse, or turtleneck. Shirts must have a collar.
** new for 2005-2006 school year

2. Plain white, navy blue, light blue or green sweatshirt, sweater, or vest. Only these colors are acceptable in class for these sweatshirts, sweaters or vests. Hoods are acceptable. S__________ Academy sweatshirts may be worn. A collared shirt or turtleneck must be worn underneath all sweaters or sweatshirts that are worn indoors.

BOTTOMS:
1. Navy or beige, khaki pants, shorts skorts, capris, skirts or jumpers. Cargo pants are acceptable if they fit properly and are not oversized.
2. On physical education day, navy sweatpants or S______ Academy sweatpants may be worn. Sweatpants may have a white stripe.

SHOES:
1. Sneakers or shoes are acceptable.
2. Flip flops, sandals, backless shoes, and chunky or high heels are not acceptable for safety reasons.

As you can see, it has plenty of variety, and the children are not sheep or clones and can certainly express individuality. I have bought clothes at Target, Sears, JCpenny, Lands End, Old Navy etc. I can get the adjustable waist pants for my daughter, she can wear skirts, short sleeves when it's hot, shorts etc.

I am split on the uniform issue---we don't save any money here as my older daughter is in a school that has no uniform policy (the policy started 2 yrs ago at my younger daughter's school--a magnet school within our town, spread to another elementary school in town for this year, and will probably spread out to more elementary schools this year---everything in our town happens S L O W L Y.)

Where it would be more appropriate would be in the upper grades, where the social aspect of clothes becomes more of an issue........That said, if they would just enforce dress policies already in place (no obscene clothing, properly fitting etc) we would not have girls with bare midriffs, and we wouldn't have to see boys' "cracks" with their pants so low.....there would be less problems. Kids will still show invidiuality in other ways, hair styles, jewelry etc no matter what clothes they have on.

 

[Brianne]

I'd love the uniforms more if DH wasn't such a cheapskate---we have just enough to get them through the week, if they don't spill anything or so on. I do more laundry now than I ever did before!

Other than that, I think uniforms are a great thing to have. Getting them dressed in the morning is a breeze--no fights over what's appropriate or not. There's no issues about fitting in. Not to mention, finding inexpensive uniforms is so easy now; even Target & Walmart carry them.

One odd bonus---the boys & girls polo shirts, shorts & pants look so similar, I can pass them down from kid to kid no matter what sex the child is.

 

[Daisy Duck 5]

Most people on here are just giving there opinion on what they think about school uniform. Currently I am studying for my psychology midterm in child development. Here is what I learned in class about school uniforms.
Uniforms and achievement are negatively related in schools. The reason some schools show positive changes is because as they introduce uniforms the school is also making other changes at the same time. Currently there is no substantive evidence showing anything good about school uniforms.

 

[foolishmortal]

Most people on here are just giving there opinion on what they think about school uniform. Currently I am studying for my psychology midterm in child development. Here is what I learned in class about school uniforms.
Uniforms and achievement are negatively related in schools. The reason some schools show positive changes is because as they introduce uniforms the school is also making other changes at the same time. Currently there is no substantive evidence showing anything good about school uniforms.

well I don't know about that study, but the public school my son was going at he was getting b's abd c's, and now his charter school with uniforms and a tougher curriculum..he is straight a's honor roll.

Related?? Maybe not, but it's proof enough for me to keep him there

 

[Laura]

The public school I attended after leaving Catholic school was much better academically than the Catholic school was. I don't think it had anything to do with wearing or not wearing uniforms. I think it's more about the philosophy of the school.

 

[KarenAylwood]

Most people on here are just giving there opinion on what they think about school uniform. Currently I am studying for my psychology midterm in child development. Here is what I learned in class about school uniforms.
Uniforms and achievement are negatively related in schools. The reason some schools show positive changes is because as they introduce uniforms the school is also making other changes at the same time. Currently there is no substantive evidence showing anything good about school uniforms.

I also don't think we're necessarily talking about "achievement" when looking at the positives and negatives. Many are making points that it's easier, cheaper and less-stressful on the kids (not having to keep up with trends or being judged for what they wear).

I would have LOVED school uniforms! I went to a public school where we could wear whatever we wanted, and those who dressed bad were looked down upon or made fun of (just the name of the game!). Taking that element out of bullying would have helped so many kids, IMO. Also a lot of the reason they dressed funny was because their parents dressed them that way and they didn't know any better or have a choice.

Whenever we went out for "back to school" shopping, we'd buy a ton of clothes and I wouldn't even end up wearing half of them!!

Schools are much "trendier" now than they were when I went and I'm sure keeping up with fashions isn't easy on the parents or the kids. School uniforms would take out the guess work and put everyone on more of an equal playing field.

 

[Mishetta]

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.

ITA! If I was as an eloquent writer as KelNottAt, I would have written the same response & beat her/him to it!

We find that we have saved money in buying my DS's uniform. He gets to wear blue docker type pants with a light blue polo type shirt & in the winter he can wear blue cords & in the summer he can wear blue (school approved) shorts. I LOVE IT! We do take my nephew's hand-me-downs & I save my DS's hand-me-downs for my youngest DS who may one day also attend this school. We are a family of simple means & sacrifice to send our DS to this private school which is noted for its academic excellence. He attends school with kids who come from families with some major money but at school, they are all equal & no one is flaunting their designer labels. Equality for all!

Don't worry, no one really cares for change but if your school does infact go to uniforms, you'll end up loving it. Your children will still have their individuality that will shine through their uniforms.

 

[bekkiz]

I attended one of the top private all-girls schools in CA (and perhaps the country) and we wore uniforms.

Trust me, these were some high achieving girls, and thanks goodness no one had to think about what to put on each morning--adding that extra layer of stress might have made some heads explode!

 

[chasbos]

We love uniforms! Our oldest DD is attending the local Catholic high school - by her own choice and she does not mind the uniforms at all.

It sure makes it easy for her to get dressed in the morning.

They have civies day once a month and can wear regular clothes and it takes her forever to get dressed and the staff says that it is the most unruly day of the month!

My other 3 all attend a private school and I would love for them to go to uniforms.

 

[Beth76]

I'm a no-uniforms kind of gal.

 

[Laura]

I also don't think we're necessarily talking about "achievement" when looking at the positives and negatives. Many are making points that it's easier, cheaper and less-stressful on the kids (not having to keep up with trends or being judged for what they wear).

I would have LOVED school uniforms! I went to a public school where we could wear whatever we wanted, and those who dressed bad were looked down upon or made fun of (just the name of the game!). Taking that element out of bullying would have helped so many kids, IMO. Also a lot of the reason they dressed funny was because their parents dressed them that way and they didn't know any better or have a choice.

Whenever we went out for "back to school" shopping, we'd buy a ton of clothes and I wouldn't even end up wearing half of them!!

Schools are much "trendier" now than they were when I went and I'm sure keeping up with fashions isn't easy on the parents or the kids. School uniforms would take out the guess work and put everyone on more of an equal playing field.

It was mighty dreary and boring wearing uniforms all the time, in my experience. Plus if you didn't have the "right" shoes or whatever, you certainly were looked down on. (Much more so than at the public school!) When I got to wear normal clothes, it was great. I felt free.

Sure, it's easier to get dressed in the morning, but honestly it wasn't worth it to me.

 

[Christine]

I have one child in a school that uses uniforms and one in a school that doesn't. As a parent, I much prefer the uniforms. It is so much easier on me and my son has really grown to enjoy wearing it.

I'm not sure if it saves us any money. We go to a private school and they do not care for us to go to Target or Kohl's and get the clothes (although you can). Plus if the kids wears a polo or sweater, it must be monogrammed. I bought my son 5 pairs of pants, 5 shirts, 2 sweaters, and 3 ties and I spent $200. I then bought him 3 pairs of jeans and a few shirts for casual wear. Also, when he comes home, he just keeps his uniform on unless he has an activity. He's very comfortable in it, they are very durable, and he has no problem romping around the yard in it.

I do think that school uniforms in public schools never quite "go over" as well as in the private school. It seems that when I see what public schools are doing with uniforms they do it wrong. It's never "mandatory" because they can't make people wear it like a private school can. So you've always got a percentage who aren't complying. Then they offer so many bazillion choices that it's really no longer a uniform anymore. I just think it never works well.

As far as kids needing to "express" themselves: well, at the middle and high school level I rarely see too many individuals in the schools. They all shop at Abercrombie, Hot Topic, Hollister, American Eagle, and the like. Individual my patootie, they all want to look alike.

 

[DawnCt1]

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.
Mimi

I am sorry but I don't buy the "too hot" excuse. Children wear uniforms in the Caribbean and it is always hot there and from the schools I have seen, not too many appear to be air conditioned. I think uniforms are a great idea. When DS #1 attended private school where shirt, slacks and tie were required, it was a lot cheaper to dress him than it was when he was in public school.

 

[shortbun]

Most people on here are just giving there opinion on what they think about school uniform. Currently I am studying for my psychology midterm in child development. Here is what I learned in class about school uniforms.
Uniforms and achievement are negatively related in schools. The reason some schools show positive changes is because as they introduce uniforms the school is also making other changes at the same time. Currently there is no substantive evidence showing anything good about school uniforms.

Can I get some back up/text book link or quotes on this? I need all the help I can get.

Most people here don't get that my child goes to a very large urban/poor school district. All children in our district get free breakfast. 56% get free lunch. Clothes the children wear are often hand me downs or purchased for a dime or a quarter at the Salvation Army store or Goodwill. I am not exaggerating. $50 per child for school uniforms would be a huge financial burden for many. Really. I drop off bags of my son's used clothes regularly on the porches of the kids who ride my school bus. Those children wear those clothes and pass them on because it's all they have. Having special clothes to keep track of and keep clean would also be a burden to many. Obviously, my family does not have these problems but I wonder what will happen to the children who's families do. I understand that it is difficult to wrap your brain around these details. The children at my son's school are unique. Some boys have mohawks and hair down their backs. The school color is tie-dye. We sing the rainbow song as our school song. We recently went to Nationals in Scholastic Chess and placed in the top ten. All the other schools were prep and day schools. Uniforms would NOT go over well. We do not conform. Teachers are called by their first names, the principal too. Test scores(although we hate those d#@!M tests) are the highest in the city. My guess is that parents will protest, debate and argue against this possible policy with all their might. Should be interesting. For those who think we are "shallow" for being non-conformists-whatever. There are rarely Abercrombie, Gap and so forth clothes coming through our doors. We recently fought for and have been granted expansion through middle school so we don't have to send our children into those clothing competitive envirions.
Thanks for all the input. We have plenty of friends who's children attend parochial schools. I have seen the simplicity of their dress. I don't dispute it, simply say it's not for us.

 

[sajetto]

I say YAY to uniforms

Our school district implemented them and it has turned out very well. During my student teaching, the students seemed to be getting along much better and the principal reported that they had the fewest discipline refferrals ever in the first year they were introduced.

 

[joshsmom]

VERY hot topic in my town right now. The school board is trying to decide. My son goes to parochial school so he wears uniforms anyway. My nephew, who is a freshman and just spent 8 years in Catholic school is MORTIFIED that he may have to wear a uniform next year!!!

I don't have a problem with it either way. BUT, I will say that some of the so-called "clothing" that kids wear to school is TOTALLY inappropriate. I really don't think we need to know the color of a 14 year old's thong!!