Uniforms in Public Schools

By Brian David

Background• The movement gained traction in the early 90’s

(Forster and Geier)

• A reaction to increased school violence, especially in the inner cities (Forster and Geier).

• 1996 – President Clinton endorsed public schools using uniforms, in his State of the Union speech (Forster and Geier)

• The issue has supporters and detractors on both ends of the political spectrum (Forster and Geier).

The Debate

Those in favor of public schools using uniforms feel that they help decrease violence and bullying. These supporters say decreases in these areas will lead to increases in overall student achievements (Forster and Geier).

Those against the use of uniforms in public school feel that they stifle creativity and are and unfair burden on families of lower socio-economic status. They also feel that this is a small “band-aid” on a much larger, more complex problem (Wilson and McMahon).

Pro• Reduces bullying – students from poorer

families do not have to worry about being in style (Forster and Geier )

• Reduces gang violence – everyone is dressed similar, no gang colors (Chittom and Ginsburg)

• Puts the focus back on education – students do not have to worry about having expensive, in-style clothes (Chittom and Ginsburg)

Con• Stifles creativity – students will feel they have

to fit a specific mold (Wilson and McMahon)• Unfair to the economically disadvantaged –

uniforms will be more that they can afford (Forster and Geier)

• Only a small part of a larger problems – school violence can be attributed to many other factors (decrepit building, socio-economic factors, inept teachers, trouble at home) (Wilson and McMahon)

Requiring uniforms will help to improve public schools.

• Reduces bullying and students being made to feel like outcasts (Chittom and Ginsburg)

• Gets rid of risqué and distracting clothing – focus is on education (Chittom and Ginsburg)

• Prepares students for jobs outside of school (Chittom and Ginsburg)

• Unfair to poorer families (Forster and Geier) – The generic uniform clothes are cheaper than designer clothing (Chittom and Ginsburg)

• A simple solution to a complex problem (Forster and Geier) – Will not solve all problems, but studies show that it is effective and a good first step to help improve the climate of schools (Wilson and McMahon)

Works Cited Chittom, Lynn-nore, and Jill Ginsburg. "School Uniforms:

An Overview." (2009): n. pag. Points of View Reference Center. Database. 10 Nov 2010.

Forster, Matt, and Denise Geier. "Point: The High Cost of School Uniforms." (2009): n. pag. Points of View Reference Center. Database. 10 Nov 2010.

Wilson , Brian, and Maureen McMahon. "Counterpoint: School Dress Codes Improve the Learning Environment.." (2009): n. pag. Points of View Reference Center. Database. 10 Nov 2010.