School Uniforms: Your Viewpoint

[Ariel Mae]

I don't know where this came from, but I thought I'd start a thread on school uniforms. I would love to hear the viewpoints.

Mine: I don't agree with them. I was always uncomfortable in them. They were always more expensive than the clothes I regularly bought/wore. And, with uniforms, it seems, I went through more of those than any type of attire I'd ever bought. They didn't last, for me, and that meant getting a new round every year. Now, usually, I go on a clothing spree every, what, two years, if not more...this, though, I was out every summer looking for redeemable clothing. It was highly costly. I always hated that my parents had to spend extra money on uniforms in a public school setting. And as for the statistics of, 'they stop school fights/bullying; they raise test scores'...I never understood how what you were wearing could raise a test score. (Though, if I think about it, now, I can see how they could reduce scores...as I said, I was always uncomfortable in my uniforms. I was always fiddling with something. It was distracting.) And, as for fights/bullying...a bully, I've found, will find something to pick on, even if you're wearing the exact colors as, say, Bob next to you. A bully will find something to pick on, no matter what.

And the uniform checks just wasted precious education time. Education was already pretty low on the list. Now, they spend 15 minutes per class checking the uniform, and if you're in violation, you get suspended. (Even if it's just an untucked shirt, which can be simply told to be tucked in...). And if teachers were caught letting students out in violation, they got pink slips!

I don't agree with uniforms. Not in a public school setting. I know the minute I got home, every day, I wanted out of those uniforms. So, not only are they costly to buy, but they're costly to clean/take care of, b/c then you (most likely) have weekend clothes/after school clothes/vacation clothes/ and school clothes to wash.

And, yes, they provided an 'easy way out' in the morning as to what to wear...no, wait, I still had colors and styles to choose from. *shrugs*

Viewpoints, please.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

i agree with you. i had to wear them and i hated them. yes let's show our children individuality by making them all wear the same thing, really smart.

and i agree, they are way more expensive than clothes i would buy. but that's just me, i don't spend $85 on pants.

 

[Ariel Mae]

but that's just me, i don't spend $85 on pants.

Ditto.

For me, nice clothing comes from Goody's, Walmart, Outlet Stores. That's where I find my favorite styles/colors/fits.

Every once and a while, with the sales at JcPenny's, I'll find something, but on sale. 85$ pants is a 'no no' for me.

let's show our children individuality by making them all wear the same thing, really smart.

Oh, I agree.

Even though people say, "Clothing doesn't make the man"...it makes something, in my view. We express ourselves through how we style our hair, how we dress, the jewelry we wear...can't be done with uniforms.

 

[mudnuri]

As the mom of 9 & 10 year old DD's, my thoughts are different.

Picture an almost 11 year old girl, developing. she does not fit into "little girl clothes"...

The jeans and shirts that fit her correctly size wise, are in the juniors department. Okay fine- until you put on a pair of jeans from the juniors department, and realize that her underwear are showing, and so is quite a bit of skin under her belly button. The shirts- built to be tight....lovely. not on my 11 year old!

She is developing, I dont need to announce that to the world that my dd is getting hips and a bust- ummmm no...

however, head on over to the school uniform section- and by golly, those pants sit correctly at her waist, the shirts cover her entire upper body, and are not cutting off her circulation.

I WOULD LOVE for my dd's to have uniforms! They would be so much easier to dress!!!

Brandy

 

[DaisyD]

As a mom of a 24, 19, and 8 y/o I am against them. I voted against them all through my kids schools and will continue to do so. I think uniforms look too snobbish and are too strict. I don't want anyone telling me what my kids can and can't wear or what I buy.

 

[teacherforhi]

I think it depends on what you mean by uniforms. Our middle schools all have uniform policies, but it consists of khakis and polos. We don't care where you buy your pants and shirts, just that they are the right length, color, and cover everything on top!

As a teacher, I like them because I can instantly see a child in the hall and know if they're out of their assigned area. If I see a sixth grader (in navy) on the eighth grade hall (they're red), I know it may be a situation that requires me to do a little investigation. For some reason, the 8th grade boys' bathroom seems to be a popular spot to try and skip class in.

As far as allowing them to express themselves, the majority of middle schoolers don't want to be individuals, they want to conform to their friends. Student aren't required to wear uniforms on picture day and I'll never forget seeing three boys walking side-by-side...with the exact same shoes, same pants, and same style of shirt (just each in a different color).

The girls are even worse. They have to have the same purses as their friends, the same backpacks, the same socks, the same hairstyles.... None of those things are dictated by our uniform policy and they could express themselves anyway they wanted to. Yet the majority of them choose to look exactly like their friends. Which isn't bad, just isn't an argument against uniforms.

 

[kydisneyfans]

Uniforms-no way
Strict dress codes-yes

My kid leaves the house with $3.00 Macy Tshirts and Sweats/Shorts almost daily-if they want my kid to wear a uniform, they can pay for it.

 

[momto2girls]

I'm a huge fan of school uniforms. My children are homeschooled, but if they do ever attend school, they will not go to public school. I'm very happy that most private schools have uniforms.

 

[Chuck S]

Personally, I never really liked he idea of school uniforms, until today. I took my Moms car to the car wash. It is located near a middle school, and I happened to be there when school let out.

It was scary what some of those kids were wearing

You have to wonder, since these kids are not of working age, how their parents could have purchased them such terrible clothing. And the few schools that have uniforms here would surely be cheaper than what they were wearing.

Local uniforms consist of khaki pants and white button down shirts...any brand.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

As the mom of 9 & 10 year old DD's, my thoughts are different.

Picture an almost 11 year old girl, developing. she does not fit into "little girl clothes"...

The jeans and shirts that fit her correctly size wise, are in the juniors department. Okay fine- until you put on a pair of jeans from the juniors department, and realize that her underwear are showing, and so is quite a bit of skin under her belly button. The shirts- built to be tight....lovely. not on my 11 year old!

She is developing, I dont need to announce that to the world that my dd is getting hips and a bust- ummmm no...

however, head on over to the school uniform section- and by golly, those pants sit correctly at her waist, the shirts cover her entire upper body, and are not cutting off her circulation.

I WOULD LOVE for my dd's to have uniforms! They would be so much easier to dress!!!

Brandy

really because i like the low-waist jeans and the fitted t-shirts and everything i've found lately, is always high-waisted jeans and long t-shirts.

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

I'm a huge fan of school uniforms. My children are homeschooled, but if they do ever attend school, they will not go to public school. I'm very happy that most private schools have uniforms.

...what's wrong with public schools?? i went to public schools after my parents(thankfully!) took me out of the private school, and i think i turned out pretty darn good.

 

[rie'smom]

Uniforms are so easy. As a mom,I love them. My daughter attends private school but even our public schools have uniforms.

 

[chager]

My DS attends a private school. So uniforms are the way for us. Actually we like them. He must too, since he has gone out after school wearing his uniform many times. He can choose from tan or navy pants (ALWAYS wears tan ); green, navy,light blue, white, or yellow polo shirt;belt and nice tennis shoes.99% of the time he wears tan pants and a navy shirt. I have asked many times what was the purpose of purchasing any other colors As far as cost, it is somewhat more expensive but they are comfortable. No need to worry about who has the most expensive clothes, other then shoes As far as I know as long as you have the proper attire that is all that matters. No one makes a big deal out of having your shirt tucked in or if the shoes are more red the black. DS loves it becauase it takes the stress out of what to wear to school.

 

[KikiFan]

I love them. I absolutely love them. My daughter had to wear them in K and 1st. Then 2nd grade we switched to a school that didn't require them. Then third grade the entire district switched to uniforms. The year we didn't have uniforms was definitely the worst regarding teasing, distractions and even at that age the girls, were wearing some questionable stuff.

I haven't found the cost to be an issue, in fact I find them to be a lot cheaper. Our uniforms include Khaki, Black or blue bottoms and a white or Navy top. The price is usually about $10-15 per piece, maybe less for the shirts.

I think that uniforms really level the playingfield. Nobody cares if the uniforms are't "Juicy" or "Izod" or any other ridiculously over-priced name brands. I'm not sure if I think they improve grades, but I do think they improve the social climate. They definitely make my life easier.

 

[DVCLiz]

I'm very much in favor of a dress code. Both of my daughters had them from K-8, and I really liked not having to argue about what was and wasn't appropriate to wear to school. They had choices in colors, and in whether they wore shorts, skirts, jumpers or long pants, but the rules were solid colors, collared shirts, and at least short sleeves.

The younger people on this thread who have responded about individuality are missing the bigger point of a dress code, which is to eliminate the possibility that kids are being judged based on their clothing choices, and on what their parents can afford. You can't make someone feel bad if all she can afford is the JC Penney fox while you have the Polo horse if everyone has a "no logo on your shirt" rule. Yes, kids can always find ways to tease and pick on each other, but dress codes eliminate one of the easiest and most obvious ones.

Interestingly enough, a public school in my town just had results come back after they instituted a standard mode of dress, and it revealed no difference in test scores or discipline problems. Guess the kids were right, but the parents really like that dress code. It will be interesting to see if it gets changed next year.

 

[chager]

...what's wrong with public schools?? i went to public schools after my parents(thankfully!) took me out of the private school, and i think i turned out pretty darn good.

Depends on the public school! We visited our PS and it was AWFUL!! DS begged to go private! In fact we were informed DS was socialized well (he was eschooled 4-6) because he refused to CUSS!!! Several really bad words were used on a frequent basis and teachers/staff didn't do anything about it. Since DS refused to stoop to that level he was labelled. Well he has done just fine at the private school! I went to public school growing up and it was very different back then.

really because i like the low-waist jeans and the fitted t-shirts and everything i've found lately, is always high-waisted jeans and long t-shirts.

I am guessing you are not an 11 year old girl either! If you want to wear that style go for it. I find it very inappropriate for young teens. I can't vouch for how the clothes I saw tonight would actually fit, but they were all nice and skimpy!! I was at Walmart

 

[tinatark]

Love them ! More expensive? No way!

I usually buy 3-4 pairs of pants and 5-6 shirts during the school year - navy or khaki pants and white or navy collared shirts for my 11 and 13 year old ds'.

As a school fund raiser, students can wear jeans or solid, cargo type shorts/pants on Fridays.

After what I've seen public school kids wear, I'm happy to leave my boys at a Christian, Private, Uniform mandated school!

 

[PattnFmly]

I'm glad we don't have uniforms. DS is a very hard fit and it is impossible to find any button pants to fit him, it has to be elastic waist. And he also cannot stand to wear any shirt tucked in. He complains non-stop that it is too constricting and he just can't be comfortable with anything tucked in. He's only 7. I'd probably have to home school him if they forced him to wear a uniform !!

 

[LiLIrishChick63]

I'm very much in favor of a dress code. Both of my daughters had them from K-8, and I really liked not having to argue about what was and wasn't appropriate to wear to school. They had choices in colors, and in whether they wore shorts, skirts, jumpers or long pants, but the rules were solid colors, collared shirts, and at least short sleeves.

The younger people on this thread who have responded about individuality are missing the bigger point of a dress code, which is to eliminate the possibility that kids are being judged based on their clothing choices, and on what their parents can afford. You can't make someone feel bad if all she can afford is the JC Penney fox while you have the Polo horse if everyone has a "no logo on your shirt" rule. Yes, kids can always find ways to tease and pick on each other, but dress codes eliminate one of the easiest and most obvious ones.

Interestingly enough, a public school in my town just had results come back after they instituted a standard mode of dress, and it revealed no difference in test scores or discipline problems. Guess the kids were right, but the parents really like that dress code. It will be interesting to see if it gets changed next year.

who are the "younger posters" on this thread?? i'm curious.


here's my question to all of the parents who are for the uniforms.....did you have to wear them when you were in school?

 

[Serena]

I don't like it. If they'd actually enforce the dress code they have then it wouldn't be a problem. Now, they'll have to enforce this instead.
I have to buy all new clothes for kelsea to wear next year, why?
It's not as if they aren't judged for what they wear, they are. The brand is the brand no matter what you're wearing.
For example, back when I was in school, jeans were it. But not just any jeans would do, it had to be Jordache. No, levi's wouldn't do. They look the same, they may even fit the same, but it wasn't the name. It's not any different now.

If they'd just enforce the code that's already in effect this would not be neccessary.