School Uniforms

[MJS]

This is usually a topic that brings alot of controversy in the school system every time it comes up. Some parents think its a great idea, and others, including some kids, think that there should be no dress code.

So, while reading todays paper, I came across this.

EAST HARTFORD — - When John Carlos Cortes was growing up in South America, he was required to wear school uniforms.

Now Cortes says he would like to see the same requirement for East Hartford students.

"It's easier for the teachers, who aren't distracted by kids trying to keep up with the latest fashions," he told the board of education at the first of three dress code forums Wednesday night. "When the students wear uniforms, they develop pride in themselves and in their school."

Most of the 20 people who spoke at the forum, including many who grew up wearing school uniforms, agreed with Cortes. A few speakers said the district should enforce the current dress code, but not require uniforms.

Usually, the only schools here that have a uniform policy, are the private schools. The majority of the public schools have no uniforms, but do have a dress code.

So, what are your thoughts on this? For fun, I put up a poll to vote on.

 

[MA-Caver]

If I had to wear a uniform to school everyday I'm not sure I would've liked it. But then again if I had to do so since say, the first or second grade and everyone else was wearing one I think I'd grown up not thinking one way or the other about it.
Imposing the rule upon students NOW in the jr. high to high-school ages would just be a mess... particularly with American students and their counterparts abroad.
But, starting kids when they're young, first years and such... and it becomes a habit and the norm.
Question is for public schools who pays for it? Tax dollars? Sorry, we gotta save our money for the $700 Billion bail out. <sarcastic>
I think enforcing a dress code would be the best thing. No gang-affiliated type clothing/colors and offensive t-shirts (i.e. death metal bands, sexual innuendos, etc.), girls wearing modest length dresses/skirts at least down to mid-thigh if not knee length. No, tattered jeans or other torn clothing.

Again it goes to respecting the schools and the teachers and each other.
Uniforms? Well that idea is foreign to me (pardon the pun) as I didn't grow up in it.

 

[dragonswordkata]

An interesting question. May I put a martial arts spin on it?
When teaching my Karate class, after the students first tested rank, I require my students to wear a gui. I believe this fosters comraudary, pride and self confidence.
If you help to limit the amount of pop culture/commercialism brought in the class, individuality will shine forth in the students skills, additude and dedication. If the students doesn't have to worry about keeping up with the jones hopefully they will focus more on why they are at school.
I have had no complaints from my students or parents about this "dress code". While I know the public school system is different then an optional MA class, I feel, and hope, the values and life lessons taught are just as important as one to the other.

 

[pete]

let 'em where what they want! or at least let the parents decide for their own child.

what's with all the need for conformancy in today's society... lighten up.. we need a little more individuality, freedom to express one's self, and that starts with our children.

 

[dragonswordkata]

let 'em where what they want! or at least let the parents decide for their own child.

what's with all the need for conformancy in today's society... lighten up.. we need a little more individuality, freedom to express one's self, and that starts with our children.

While I agree with you that our society overly demands conformity, there is a time and place for structure, otherwise we desend into anarchy and choas.
Without guidence and standards children typicaly will chose the easiest path. For example; if society didn't teach children to read and write how many of them, or us, would have done so voluntarily, and where would we be now without being "forced" to do this against our will?

 

[Nolerama]

I think that a school uniform, enforced properly, could help keep the kids focused on school. In theory, it should work. I hate being in a store, and some adult walks in, pants down to his ankles, and mumbles something along the lines of "you hiring?"

No one in their right mind is going to hire someone like that. At least not in an industry/society where appearance plays a huge factor in our daily lives when it comes to perception.

Now, if kids were brought up thinking that there's a social norm they have to meet (i.e. dressing like everyone else and be presentable) in order to get a job, then I see the validity in school uniforms. It's supposed to level the playing field in terms of appearance.

However, school uniforms totally contradict our consumer culture. Why push consumer goods (clothes, shoes, electronics, etc.) to kids on one hand, and then deny them the right to "express themselves" when they get to school on the other? It seems a bit hypocritical.

I think that persuading school kids to wear uniforms with added incentives, like going to eat off-campus, or extra time for lunch, free day off school... would help in a way. At least that shows that if you play ball with the system, then the system might work for you.

Overall, I see school kids in both public and private schools test the boundaries. Hair is different, shoes are still an issue in some schools, etc, etc. Kids will find a lot of ways to set themselves apart in their search for individualism, and ultimately, inclusion.

 

[girlbug2]

We have uniforms at our kids' school. Financially, I look at it this way: you have to buy new clothes for your kid for school every year. Overall, it did cost me less to buy the relatively cheap uniforms (which can be handed down nicely) than new clothes. Plus mornings are easier with less confusion about what to wear.

 

[Kacey]

As a teacher, I would love to see school uniforms in my school - I'd even wear one myself. I am so tired of interrupting educational time to tell kids to pull their pants up (sagging) or their shirts down (baring their bellies) or to go to the office because their dress code violation can't be solved without a change of clothing. And I'm tired of the time it takes to keep up to date on what signifies gang affiliation this week, and which musical groups can't be worn, and whether or not team attire is okay... it's hard to tell a kid that he can't wear his coat - his only coat - on the school grounds because it has the logo of a professional sports team (forbidden under our dress code), and it's just as hard to tell a girl that skirt to her cute new outfit is too short, and she'll have to wear a pair of school sweats or her gym shorts with the top instead.

Parents have to buy their kids clothes anyway - and from talking to friends whose kids wear uniforms, they tend to be cheaper, they can be passed down to younger kids in the family or sold, and you don't need as many individual items, because variety is not an issue.

I voted for "enforce a strict dress code" because there's a fine line between that and uniforms. My school has talked about uniforms, but they would be more of a strict dress code - khaki or black Dockers style pants, with shirts in the school colors (black and gold) with or without the school logo.

 

[stickarts]

I am for a dress code. I think there should be some kind of boundries and expectations set. I know from work experience too that how you dress can also help you to maintain a desired mindset. For example dress professional and it helps you to act professional.

 

[pete]

...how you dress can also help you to maintain a desired mindset.

exactly why we shouldn't have school admins dictate something that would project THEIR desired mindset into our children...

 

[Gordon Nore]

I voted for "enforce a strict dress code" because there's a fine line between that and uniforms. My school has talked about uniforms, but they would be more of a strict dress code - khaki or black Dockers style pants, with shirts in the school colors (black and gold) with or without the school logo.

That's essentially what they did at my son's high school. A uniform of this sort is easily worn by teachers, so I would certainly support it if we made such a move at the middle school where I teach. The dress code / uniform eliminates some of the negotiation about whether clothing is sexually provocative or redolent of gangs.

On the downside, it creates yet another rule to enforce. While parents buy school clothes anyway, such a program pretty much requires that they have all the money together at once, which is not realistic for low-income families. I think we spent close to $400 to get Tucker outfitted for a year's worth of school uniform clothes, which is within our budget, but no everyone's. If a parent refuses to pop for it, are you gonna punish the kid?

BTW, my son was often "out of uniform," because he found the khakis uncomfortable and wore plain sweats that matched the pants pretty closely. One day at school I got a call from his principal, who told me he was out of uniform, and who asked my permission to send him home to change. I said, yes, of course, and was polite about it. I was giggling to myself a bit: here's a honour roll kids who's never gotten trouble, and two educators are actually having a conversation about his pants.

I'm ok with the idea, as long as everyone's clear it's not going to make kids smarter or school less violent.

 

[Kacey]

On the downside, it creates yet another rule to enforce. While parents buy school clothes anyway, such a program pretty much requires that they have all the money together at once, which is not realistic for low-income families. I think we spent close to $400 to get Tucker outfitted for a year's worth of school uniform clothes, which is within our budget, but no everyone's. If a parent refuses to pop for it, are you gonna punish the kid?

We're already spending an absurd amount of time enforcing the dress code we've got, and the kids are constantly creating new "looks" to indicate their affiliations (and yes, we have a serious gang problem at my middle school) that we then have to ban and enforce... enforcing a set dress code would be a lot easier, I think.

As far as the cost, there are a fair number of districts around here that went to uniforms, and the general consensus has been that the uniform clothes (which are purchased in bulk and resold just enough above cost to finance the next purchase) are cheaper than what they had been buying - and most of these districts have a thriving resale, as well, as many of the kids outgrow their uniforms before they destroy them completely.

 

[Fiendlover]

Being a high school student, I believe there should be no uniforms. Typical, you might say. But seeing a good amount of what teens wear today, I'd say there should be somewhat of a code though I do not think it should be so strict. There are so many, how should I say this, inappropiate clothing that, i will be so bold to say about 60% of girls wear today that wouldn't look so weird on prostitutes. It's absolutly absurd. What are the parents thinking when they send there 13, 14, 15 year old daughter to school wearing almost revealing, if not revealing clothes? I can't believe some of the things I see girls wear to school. But uniforms? No. Anyone can find a way to make even a uniform become scanky so why doom the other 40%?

Now for the dress code I think there should be three rules.

1. Don't wear anything to offend anyone
2. Don't wear anything that reveals anything inappropiate.
3. Don't wear anything that's sharp (spiked collars for example.)

I won't go far as to say weapons because anything can be a weapon as we know. :uhyeah:

 

[pete]

here's a honour roll kids who's never gotten trouble, and two educators are actually having a conversation about his pants.

rediculous ain't it.. and a waste of taxpayers money~

and the kids are constantly creating new "looks" to indicate their affiliations (and yes, we have a serious gang problem at my middle school) that we then have to ban and enforce

why ban the clothes, just ban the action... or spend the time and money addressing root causes not just 'the look'

Now for the dress code I think there should be three rules.

1. Don't wear anything to offend anyone
2. Don't wear anything that reveals anything inappropiate.
3. Don't wear anything that's sharp (spiked collars for example.)

I won't go far as to say weapons because anything can be a weapon as we know. :uhyeah:

1. everything offends someone
2. everything reveals something... inappropriate is subjective... why not just follow the laws in place in your area for indecent exposure, public lewdness, etc. don't need redundant laws and more rules
3. not talking about weapons... if its sharp but not dangerous or a weapon, what is the harm... but if it is... its a weapon and should be dealt with accordingly.

again, kids need to be allowed to their own individuality early and often. let's not get in there way.

 

[terryl965]

Uniform are what my childern wear and to me it is a bad ideal but the reasoning behind it I fully support, stop people from jumping other students for a pair of smeakers and such, I believe in freedom but some of the things people will do to each other needs to be dealt with.

 

[MJS]

I'm split on this. Part of me says have uniforms. This will keep everyone 'uniform', no pun intended. The focus of the day won't be who is wearing the $10 jeans vs the ones wearing the $30 jeans vs the ones wearing the $80 jeans. The same can be said for any other article of clothing as well.

The other part of me says to let them wear what they want within the dress code put in place by the school. If someone comes in with a shirt that shows half their belly, call their parents, and send them home to change. If someone comes in with pants half way down, send them home to change.

Will this cause a disruption in the day? Probably, but sometimes we have to give something to get something, and if we have to give up some time in the day to make them change, but at the same time giving them the ability to have nobody interfere with their 'rights' then so be it.

 

[stickarts]

I'm split on this. Part of me says have uniforms. This will keep everyone 'uniform', no pun intended. The focus of the day won't be who is wearing the $10 jeans vs the ones wearing the $30 jeans vs the ones wearing the $80 jeans. The same can be said for any other article of clothing as well.

The other part of me says to let them wear what they want within the dress code put in place by the school. If someone comes in with a shirt that shows half their belly, call their parents, and send them home to change. If someone comes in with pants half way down, send them home to change.

Will this cause a disruption in the day? Probably, but sometimes we have to give something to get something, and if we have to give up some time in the day to make them change, but at the same time giving them the ability to have nobody interfere with their 'rights' then so be it.

Good points. To add to that, even if uniform is required, it doesn't mean everyone will wear that either and you still may have to send them home.

 

[MJS]

Good points. To add to that, even if uniform is required, it doesn't mean everyone will wear that either and you still may have to send them home.

Thats true, and I'm sure there would be more than a few who would refuse to wear them.

 

[tahuti]

And even if you have uniform, kids will put more money in accessories. Or what female coworker told me, they would take their "regulation" skirts but would button it up higher.

 

[Brian R. VanCise]

I like the crisp clean look of schools that have school uniforms. It does in many ways take care of some problems. Yet it brings problems with it as well. People will always push the limit or skirt or cross a line with or without uniforms. It does come down to the administrators having a policy and following it.

I also like the creative feel of not having a uniform. Our society has by and large been a very creative one and I am loathe to see that change. Creativity brings new outlooks and new thought and in the end creates experiences that we might otherwise not have.

So in the end I am split!