What is your opinion on school uniforms?

Some of them are cute. Others… not so much. My kids do not like the idea of attending a school where they have to wear them. My daughter is really into style and watches this show where they take ordinary people and totally make them over.

Of course, that’s exactly why people want uniforms—it keeps kids from using clothes to indicate status, and it keeps them from getting violent in order to steal something someone else has.

On the other hand, it’s the kind of thing that is easily fetishized. Like french maid’s outfits or nurses whites. Kind of like putting a target on a girl’s back that some men might think says, “take me!” I doubt if school boards consider that when they make the decision to force kids to wear uniforms.

I think we have about a million better things to concern ourselves with, other than what kids wear to school.

As a kid who was against uniforms, I’m totally for them as a parent. It makes life a bit simpler when everyone wears the same thing.

I think its a great idea. So many children are picked on for not wearing expensive clothes.

I was fine with it when I was in school and I’m fine with it now. Kids have other ways of expressing themselves. Shoes, haircuts,makeup, jewelry, iPods etc.

I never had to wear a uniform, and some of the schools I went to now have uniforms. I’ve always thought it was kind of silly, and I’m still generally opposed to it. I think the idea of protecting kids is nice and all, but the geeky kid is going to be victimized by bullies whether they wear a uniform or not. I think one of the things that’s actually important about going to school is learning to deal with all the social situations in a microcosm. Sadly that microcosm may not be as safe as it once was, but I don’t think uniforms solve the problem.

We had uniforms because of gang colors. Maybe it’s the ‘why’ that’s important?

It makes mornings a whole lot easier.

At my school the said it was because they didn’t want people to know who was rich and trendy and who wasn’t. But we all know who was who anyway and we acted accordingly.

I absolutely hated them. ( Hate is a strong word, and I normally wouldn’t use it, but I hate them). I hated the fact that I had to look like all the other girls, I always got in trouble, the crazy nuns wouldn’t let me wear my hair in pigtails.
I just don’t like the idea, that my individuality was taken away from me. It was like, here I am, trying to find myself, and your telling me “NO”
It is one thing if you are on a sports team, or after school activities. But not when you are old enough to say this is stupid.

My school doesn’t have uniforms. I wish we did, would make my mornings alot easier.

So, those who went to schools with uniforms (or whose kids do): Are the uniforms really all the same? I’ve noticed that all sorts of stores sell school uniforms, are the rich kids buying better quality uniforms? Suppose the poor kids are in all polyester uniforms, some of the used, while the rich kids are 100% cotton or poly-cotton blend and brand new, I’m pretty sure you can still tell who’s who. Am I right or wrong on this?

Ehh @gussnarp at schools that do have uniforms, I dont think anyone really pays attention to that stuff. It’s really in the shoes.

@JONESGH Of course, the shoes! It’s always the shoes!. You know how you can spot an undercover cop? Look at the shoes.

@gussnarp Most definitely

I wore a uniform when I was at school (navy blue jumper and black trousers – which is a lot nicer than some schools uniforms!) and I was fine with it. It made mornings a lot easier and as I was bullied at school for looking different and (sometimes) behaving differently to the other kids I was glad that, at least, they couldn’t pick on me because of the clothes I was wearing.

I generally disagree with the whole “it takes away peoples individuality or right to express themselves” arguement. I think it does the complete opposite. It makes kids think about other ways to express themselves which may not always be a good thing but at least it makes kids think a little more outside the box. If all you have to express yourself is clothing then it makes me think (rightly or wrongly) that you are probably not as interesting as the clothes you wear just my opinion don’t want to offend anyone!

I had to wear them in 6th grade when I lived in LA. heck, every school in LA had to wear them. I hated them too, it was boring seeing everyone in white and blue everyday.
But then I moved and we don’t have to worry about them anymore.

I think it’s a good idea, only for the fact that it cuts down on inappropriate clothing and less disciplinary action that could be used somewhere else…having to send kids to detention for a too short of shirt takes up resources. Having the same uniform seems like the smart thing to do.

at my school I suppose it was not a “uniform” in the strictest sense. We had to wear polos and we could pick from like 4 colors and we were allowed to wear like 3 colors of pants (no jeans, cords, or cargo pants). This means that their stated goal of eliminating clothing as status symbols was completely ineffective because the rich kids got theirs from american eagle and the rest went to goodwill. And it meant that people were always getting in trouble for wearing things that don’t fall in the uniform guidelines.

We did have a dress code in junior high and high school. It included long pants, tucked in shirts, and belts. In Florida. When it was 100 degrees with 98% humidity. Long pants. They let them wear shorts now, switched right after I graduated. Jerks.

I never had to wear uniforms..
I wouldn’t really mind having to wear uniforms (In general, that is. I’m sure there are some ridiculous uniforms out there, that I wouldn’t wear). I was never “expressive” in my appearance (99% of the time, a plain single-color tee and some simple jeans or shorts).

I think uniforms make the school look better, for two reasons
a) Well, everyone’s the same color. It’s not this disgusting sea of every color of the rainbow [and some new colors, so beautiful they made me fall to my knees and cry].
b) Everyone has decent clothing. Not people walking around with torn up clothing, and not people walking around with two-inch-long skirts and tubetops.

I don’t necessarily think it should be necessary to wear a fancy “sunday suit”. Certainly a school’s dress code could be a nice pair of jeans and a blue tee.

I think every generation hates the way their children’s generation dresses. I hate the pants below the butt look, but when I was in high school I had a mullet and wore acid washed jeans, with rips every two inches down the legs and my boxer shorts showing through the holes in the rear, with a denim jacket with things written in Sharpie marker all over it, and bleached out torn up converse all stars. I grew out of it. Do I really have any right to complain about how teenagers dress now?

Only if you are talking about the “EMO” style, and the guys wearing the skinny girl jeans. I wouldn’t complain, but I think that is nasty.

I don’t have anything against uniforms (unless they are bad colors).

For a music-related trip, we had to purchase the following items for our concerts:

—White mock-neck turtleneck (ill-fitting, rough, uncomfy)
—Navy blue pants (it’s very difficult to find navy blue pants in the middle of summer)
—Tan (huge, oversized) jacket
—Black shoes (with navy blue pants?)

It was a hideous combination. Seriously, why didn’t they just stick with the traditional (music) thing and say either “all black” or “black and white” (with a black jacket). It would have looked way more professional, and if you spilled something on your black jacket, no one would know.

I also think they prevent bullying and other forms of peer-abuse based mostly on class. I am all for freedom of expression but I think there is a way to incorporate style with uniforms to allow for both security and self-expression.

I love uniforms for school as long as they’re simple and comfortable. Boiled wool sweaters over heavy poly/fake-cotton button down shirts are not comfortable for most kids. I’d like to see a dress code for schools similar to what I had at my private school. All kids wore pants that were cleared to get dirty, possibly torn and the shoes allowed had to be durable with flexible soles that could grip most surfaces and cover the ankle bones.

i spent 12 years in school uniforms and didnt mind it. not having to worry about what i was wearing was nice. and if everyone else is wearing it its not embarrassing.

@pinkparaluies I agree. Plus you do away with the “status symbol” crap of what you’re wearing.

I think school uniforms are a great idea. They can actually instill a sense of pride in children, and help prevent inappropriate clothing. It relieves the administration from having to decide on a case by case basis whether clothing violates the guidelines, and relieves the parents from having to embarrass their children by buying the ‘wrong’ clothes.

I love the idea of school uniforms.
Kids make fun of some kids for what they wear. Some feel they need to get the expensive shoes.
Make everyone look like a dork, and get on with learning.

“I love the idea of school uniforms.
Kids make fun of some kids for what they wear.”

Agreed!

I go to a private school where i have to wear a uniform. I know its like where my individuality to wear what i want, but i think school uniforms are okay because you dont have to worry about what you are going to wear every morning. It takes off the pressure to look good at school.

@filmfann Even with uniforms, kids still tease about uniforms. “Where’d you get that oversize shirt, the thrift store?” “I can tell by the frayed cuffs, you are wearing your brother’s hand me downs” “Do you do your own laundry? Your clothes are all stained.”

Kids will always find stuff to torment others about.

@shego Emos are HAWT.

I understand the arguments for school uniforms. And the arguments are valid.

But none of these arguments support the need for polo shirts, or blouses and ties.

Why do we force them to dress up in such hideous, stupid costumes?

Sure, offer the costumes, but also give the students some choice. There’s no reason not to offer specific school T-shirts as a choice. Some people look really, extra goofy in polo shirts. Forcing them to wear such chachke is ludicrous.

Why do polo-shirt fans force their strange, ugly fashion on the whole world?

@Kraigmo The uniform thast is chosen is up to the school district. Not all schools choose the uniform you have described. Perhaps you could find out how the uniform is chosen in your district and if possible, join in the process.