Pro and Con: School Uniforms (2024)

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PRO CON FAQs

To access extended pro and con arguments, sources, and discussion questions about whether students should have to wear school uniforms, go to ProCon.org.

Traditionally favored by private andparochial institutions, school uniforms are being adopted by US public schools in increasing numbers.According to a 2020 report, the percentage of public schools that required school uniforms jumped from 12% in the 1999-2000 school year to 20% in the 2017-18 school year. School uniforms were most frequently required by elementary schools (23%), followed by middle (18%), and high schools (10%).

The first recorded use of standardized dress in education may have been in England in 1222, when theArchbishop of Canterburymandated that students wear a robe-like outfit called the “cappa clausa.” The origin of the modern school uniform can be traced to 16th Century England, when the impoverished “charity children” attending the Christ’s Hospital boarding school wore blue cloaks reminiscent of the cassocks worn by clergy, along with yellow stockings. As of Sep. 2014, students at Christ’s Hospital were still wearing the same uniform, and according to the school it is the oldest school uniform still in use. When Christ’s Hospital surveyed its students in 2011, 95% voted to keep the traditional uniforms.

School uniforms in the United States followed the traditional use of uniforms established in England and were generally limited to private and parochial schools.One exception was found in government-run boarding schools for Native American children, first established in the late 1800s, where the children, who had been removed from their families, were dressed in military-style uniforms.

According to figures released in 2018 by the National Center for Education Statistics, the total number of public schools nationwide requiring students to wear school uniforms increased from 12% during the 1999-2000 school year to 21% during the 2015-2016 school year.In 2015-2016, 25% of public primary schools enforced a uniform policy, as did 20% of public middle schools and 12% of public high schools. A higher proportion of schools located in cities had mandatory uniforms in 2015-2016 than schools in suburban, town, and rural areas.Mandatory uniforms were far more prevalent in “high-poverty” schools (in which 76% of students were eligible for reduced-cost or free lunch programs) than in “low-poverty” schools.

Among the US cities with the highest use of school uniforms in public schools are Philadelphia (100% of schools), New Orleans (95%), Cleveland (85%), Chicago (80%), Boston (65%), and Miami (60%).The number of schools with “strict dress codes” has also increased, from 47% in 2000 to 57% in 2010.

PRO

  • School uniforms may deter crime and increase student safety.
  • School uniforms keep students focused on their education, not their clothes.
  • School uniforms create a level playing field among students, reducing peer pressure and bullying.
  • Wearing uniforms enhances school pride, unity, and community spirit.
  • School uniforms may improve attendance and discipline.
  • Uniform policies save valuable class time because they are easier to enforce than a standard dress code.
  • School uniforms prevent the display of gang colors and insignia.
  • School uniforms make getting ready for school easier, which can improve punctuality.
  • School uniforms can save parents money.
  • Most parents and educators support mandatory school uniforms.
  • Students’ legal right to free expression remains intact even with mandatory school uniforms.
  • Students dressed in uniform are better perceived by teachers and peers.
  • Students can express their individuality in school uniforms by introducing variations and adding accessories.

CON

  • School uniforms restrict students’ freedom of expression.
  • School uniforms promote conformity over individuality.
  • School uniforms do not stop bullying and may increase violent attacks.
  • School uniforms do not improve attendance, academic preparedness, or exam results.
  • The key findings used to tout the benefits of uniforms are questionable.
  • School uniforms emphasize the socio-economic divisions they are supposed to eliminate.
  • Students oppose school uniforms.
  • Uniforms may have a detrimental effect on students’ self-image.
  • Focusing on uniforms takes attention away from finding genuine solutions to problems in education.
  • The push for school uniforms is driven by commercial interests rather than educational ones.
  • Parents should be free to choose their children’s clothes without government interference.
  • School uniforms in public schools undermine the promise of a free education by imposing an extra expense on families.
  • School uniforms may delay the transition into adulthood.

This article was published on May 3, 2021, at Britannica’s ProCon.org, a nonpartisan issue-information source.

Pro and Con: School Uniforms (2024)

FAQs

Pro and Con: School Uniforms? ›

Schools that use uniforms argue that they: Encourage discipline and set clearly defined rules. Promote comradery and foster a sense of community. Make it easier for students to get ready in the morning – they're convenient.

Why school uniforms are good arguments? ›

Schools that use uniforms argue that they: Encourage discipline and set clearly defined rules. Promote comradery and foster a sense of community. Make it easier for students to get ready in the morning – they're convenient.

What are the cons of school dress code? ›

There are three big reasons why. Dress codes causes families to waste additional money buying extra clothes. Dress codes can make kids late for school and hurt their grades. Lastly, uniform school clothes can be uncomfortable and make it so students cannot focus.

Why school uniforms are good evidence? ›

The researchers found that the highest-performing students are the most disciplined. In addition, “for countries where students wear school uniforms, our study found that students listen significantly better, there are lower noise levels, and lower teaching waiting times with classes starting on time.”

Do schools without uniforms do better? ›

In general, students in schools that required school uniforms did not demonstrate better social skills, internalizing and externalizing behavior, or school attendance as compared with students in schools without school uniforms.

Are schools safer with uniforms? ›

Identification: Uniforms or standardized dress can help identify students and distinguish them from outsiders, making it easier for staff and security personnel to identify individuals who do not belong on school grounds; this can help prevent unauthorized access and potential threats.

Why school uniforms are good facts? ›

According to proponents, school uniforms:

Help identify intruders in the school. Diminish economic and social barriers between students. Increase a sense of belonging and school pride. Improve attendance.

Do school uniforms have a positive impact? ›

Promotes School Spirit and a Sense of Belonging

It boosts morale and encourages students to do their best for the good of their school. School uniforms can also be used to promote a sense of school unity and school spirit.

Why is the dress code good? ›

It is a standard set to guide what is appropriate to wear under certain circ*mstances. Dress codes include social perception, norms, and purposes. The implementation of dress codes creates orderliness and safety. Dress code identifies you that you belong to the group, gives you a sense of belongingness.

How do dress codes target females? ›

Dress codes constantly tell girls that we need to cover up. We can't have our shoulders showing, our shorts can't be too short, we can't wear leggings, and so many other things we get told from a young age. We get told that we need to cover up so we don't “distract” boys in school. This isn't fair to girls.

How many schools don't have dress codes? ›

Nearly all – about 93% – of the nation's schools have some kind of dress code policy, with about half of all schools enforcing a strict dress code, and about 1 in 5 schools requiring uniforms, the Government Accountability Office found in a report late last year.

Why school dress codes are outdated? ›

Now, however, citing women's bodies as a “natural distraction” to boys is a misogynistic and outdated reason for a punishment. It not only puts disproportionate restrictions on girls, but by stating that more revealing clothing is distracting in the learning environment, puts less trust in boys in the classroom.

Should students wear uniforms, pros and cons? ›

The pros and cons of school uniforms
  • Pro: promotes equality and inclusion.
  • Con: imposes extra financial burden.
  • Pro: promotes discipline and focus.
  • Con: curbs freedom of expression.
  • Pro: could save time and money overall.
  • Con: continued gender issues.
Aug 1, 2023

Do school uniforms save money? ›

One of the benefits of having students wear school uniforms is that the families save money! School uniforms help students save money because they limit the amount of clothing a student needs to purchase. By wearing a uniform, the student spends less money on everyday clothes thus lowering their overall clothing cost.

Do uniforms improve behavior? ›

Lead author of the study and assistant professor of human sciences at OSU, Arya Ansari said evidence does not show uniforms provide any substantial benefit for young students' behavior. “We really didn't see any differences at any point in children's elementary school careers,” said Ansari.

Do school uniforms create unity? ›

School uniforms have long served as a unifying force, fostering equality and inclusivity. By eliminating visible markers of socioeconomic or social status, uniforms ensure that every student starts their day on an equal footing.

Should students wear uniforms to school essay? ›

Uniforms are both good for schools as well as for the students. Wearing uniforms will help build a sense of unity within the school. Instead of everyone as a separate team, everyone will be in the same team. Wearing uniforms will help free students of the stress of what to wear in the morning.

Why are school uniforms uncomfortable? ›

The fabric used in making uniforms can be rough and scratchy, leading to skin irritation and discomfort. Additionally, uniforms may not fit well, making it difficult for students to move around freely, especially during physical activities.

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