Interesting Information on School Uniforms
School uniforms have become interestingly popular in the United States since the late 1980s and early 1990s. Between 1997 and 2000 alone, the percentage of public schools that use uniforms has drastically increased from 3 percent to 12 percent nationwide. Uniforms are alleged to help solve problems as diverse as peer pressure, bullying and theft. However, there is no consensus within the educational community as to the efficacy of uniforms.
Other People Are Reading
-
History
-
School uniforms were originally used in the United States only for private schools. Since the 1980s, researchers and educators have been trying to gauge the effects of uniforms on students in public schools.The results of this research have so far been inconclusive.
Safety
-
Since all students are dressed in a similar manner, it is easy for administrators to spot individuals that do not have permission to be on school grounds, increasing the safety of children who are attending the school. In addition, students are less likely to be the victims of theft, because there is no incentive for other students to steal articles of clothing that all children at the school already possess.
-
Economics
-
David L. Brusma states that the costs associated with buying school uniforms can be prohibitive to students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Students who cannot afford multiple uniforms may be forced to wear the same clothing every day with few washes in between. This can result in bullying, an activity that the wearing of uniforms is supposed to curb.
Confirmity
-
School uniforms are thought by some experts to encourage conformity. If the school is fostering a positive environment that encourages openness, awareness, learning and understanding, this sort of enforced conformity can result in students performing better in school . Sociologist David L. Brunsma argues that this form of conformity can actually result in children who follow authority uncritically.
Problems
-
The data on the efficacy of school uniforms is still actively debated in the academic community; however, this has not stopped the continued growth of policies mandating school uniforms. Some experts have questioned the constitutionality of mandated dress, as it limits freedom of expression. In 2004, a Michigan high school student was reprimanded for adding anti-war slogans to his uniform. The ACLU contacted the school, and all reprimands made against the student were dropped; however, this shows that there are potential legal problems with mandatory school uniforms.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit schoolboy image by Sabphoto from Fotolia.com
