School Uniforms and How They Affect Kids
The U.S. Department of Education and the National Association of Elementary School Principals reported an increase in the number of schools that require uniforms over the last several years of the 20th century. Since that time, education experts and parents have argued for and against uniforms. Advocates claim that uniforms allow kids to feel more unified at school, contributing to enhanced student behavior, while opponents suggest that uniforms impede a child’s individual expression, perhaps interfering with his ability to focus.
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Significance of Individuality
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Kids’ choices for clothing are signs of their individual identities. School uniforms are thought to thwart students’ distinct expression by setting forth standardized appearances in schools. According to at Brunsma at "The Journal of Education Research" and Rockquemore of University of Notre Dame, such creative hindrance encourages a power dynamic among students and faculty: If students feel inferior to faculty, they may also feel unsupported. This dynamic can impede their ability to focus in school, which can lead to behavioral issues.
Optimize School Safety
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According to a study conducted by Gentile and Imberman from University of Houston, supporters of uniforms argue that they improve safety in schools and minimize behavior problems in students. The safety argument is closely related to views on improved behavior: Fighting can be a major problem in schools and common catalysts for school fights stem from clothing. A student, for example, may be offended by messages displayed on another student's shirt. A different student may victimize her peer in order to steal his clothes. Another way that uniforms allow schools to become safer is that they allow faculty to readily detect trespassers.
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Enhance School Unity
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According to Debra Viadero of "Education Week," middle school principals find that kids may be inclined to diligently complete their schoolwork when they dress like their peers. This is speculated because uniforms diminish kids’ insecurities or judgments regarding socioeconomic positioning. Standardized school clothing allows middle-class students to feel comfortable around lower class students, and vice-versa. In schools that don't require uniforms, it is common for a teen or preteen student to feel pressure to wear trendy clothing lest she be viewed as economically disadvantaged or different.
Improve Motivation
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Researchers at "Education World" report that school uniforms can bring about desirable results for students including improving their sense of school pride, as well as increasing their respect for serious learning environments and increasing overall attendance and academic success. Kids who wear uniforms may feel they are part of a community, which bolsters their ability to focus and take school seriously. When students know they are supported by a group of people, they are more inclined to study harder in their classes and attend school more consistently. Overall, these researchers suggest that these students may become more motivated.
Considerations of Uniform Design
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According to Russell Eppinger on the New Foundations website, establishing a school uniform policy takes a great deal of effort. The process of enacting a uniform policy, he thinks, should entail a two-year period of gathering a committee of parents, students and teachers. School regulations should then be considered in order to prevent potential legal issues. Uniform styles and suppliers should be researched, and costs analyzed to arrive at the best economic choice for the school. Getting the education community involved in uniform design over a long period can lead to greater enthusiasm about them for all parties. Eppinger believes the student government and the student body should choose colors and styles for uniforms. Keeping kids active in this decision-making process fosters creativity, leadership and students' dedication to their school.
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References
- UNLV: Effects of Student Uniforms on Attendance, Behavior Problems, Substance Use and Academic Achievement
- New Foundations: School Uniforms: Does What Students Wear Really Make A Difference?
- "Education Week": Uniform Effects? Schools Cite Benefits of Student Uniforms, But Researchers....
- University of Houston: Do School Uniforms Improve Student Behavior, Attendance, and Achievement?
Resources
- Photo Credit Jetta Productions/Lifesize/Getty Images
