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The Power of the Uniform

“It does not matter how you look on the outside, all that matters is what's on the inside”. This is a quote
that everyone hears at least once in their lifetime. Although this magnifies a societal issue, in the school
system this quote is invalid, especially if you do not wear the latest most expensive trends. Uniforms are
the distinctive clothing worn by members of the same organization or by children attending a certain
school. This originated in England 1222 when students were required to wear a robe-like outfit called a
“cappa clausa”. Over the years, the question of “should uniforms be required in schools” arouse. Some
argue uniforms lack individuality and hinder a student’s creativity. However, school uniforms should be
mandatory in schools because uniforms prevent bullying, cost parent or legal guardian-less, and
provides discipline.

Uniforms should be required in schools because they help prevent bullying. Bullying is the use of
superior strength or influence to intimidate or force someone to do what one wants. This is a major
problem in the school system because bullying can lead to teen suicides and school shootings, which
occurred a lot more in the past decade. According to Mariah Wilde in “Do uniforms make schools
better” “uniforms diminish economic and social barriers between students” (Wilde). With everyone
dressed the same, it ensures equality which limits the chances of bullying. Also according to Wilde
“uniforms help students resist peer pressure”(Wilde). This quote also supports my claim because
students ,especially in high school, can be easily influenced because of the desperation to be “cool” or
“popular”. Uniforms can also increase academics.

School uniforms should also be required because with less bullying more academics can take place.
According to Farzana Hassan in “School Uniforms will help prevent bullying” “Research suggest uniforms
indeed result in a more harmonious school environment”( Hassan). Harmonious is when things get along
and work well together. With all of your peers looking the same; it can create a sense of unity which can
cause an increase in academics. Also according to Elise Elliot in “Thank God for uniforms” “By everyone
dressed the same the focus is shifted away from the appearance and back to school”(Elliot). This shows
that with the implementation of uniforms students are no longer distracted and focus back on their
academics.

School uniforms ensure equality. According to Hassan “uniforms are social and economic
barriers”(Hassan). Bullying can derive from many things such as race, gender preferences, and religion.
This quote shows that with uniforms, physical appearance can be one less obstacle. Also according to
Hassan uniforms can “reduce opportunities for children from criticize others on dress and
appearance.”(Hassan). This reveals that bullying students based on physical appearance occurs a lot
more and needs to be put to an end.

This graph represents the causes of bullying. As you can see the main and most occurred reason in every
grade is physical appearance. Uniforms can prohibit this problem from happening because everyone is
dressed the same. Students won't be pressured by peers and would not have to make an effort to
impress others. A School needs to be a place a learning, not a runaway to show off the latest fashions.

School uniforms should also be implemented because they cost parents much less. Going back to school
shopping can be a huge burden on the parent or legal guardian. According to Ingram in “How school
uniforms can save money” “86 percent of parents surveyed believed that having school uniforms makes
shopping for school more budget friendly”(Ingram). This shows that not only can uniforms increase
academics and prevent bullying, but they are also much cheaper. Also according to Martin in “School
uniforms: Good for kids or just another expense” “people would be pleasantly surprised to hear that
compared to 10 years ago, uniform prices are the same”(Martin). This demonstrates uniform prices
remaining the same budget and being friendly.

School uniforms are not only budget friendly but, parent-friendly. According to Helm in “School
uniforms “breaks the bank” for poorer families” “Uniforms are popular with parents because they like
the overall presentation and smartness”(Helm). This reveals that parents support the idea of uniforms.
According to Martin “ Uniforms encourage pride and belonging”. Parents may feel safer with their
children attending a uniformed school rather than a non-uniformed school.

Uniformed schools provides discipline and prepare students for futuristic jobs. According to Wharton
Claydene in “College education researchers conduct study on the impacts of school uniforms”
“Compared to the year prior, discipline referrals were reduced by about 10 percent the first year the
uniform policy was implemented”(Claydene). This shows how the way you're dressed can have an effect
on the way you behave. Also according to Claydene “Benefits to wearing uniforms were reported,
decreases in discipline, going involvement and bullying; and increases in safety, ease of going to school,
and self-esteem”(Claydene). This shows the benefits of the implementation of uniforms.

With students in a disciplined environment peaks in their performance increase. According to Chris
Baumann and Hana Krskova in “School uniforms and academic performance” “Students peak
performance when teachers create a disciplined atmosphere where students listen to
teachers”(Baumann). Uniforms can be one less distraction for children by creating a non-chaotic
environment. According to Baumann “Uniforms contribute to better discipline in everyday in school
operations”(Baumann). This supports my claim by providing the benefits of school uniforms.

School uniforms can discipline students for futuristic jobs. According to Stephanie Broad in “How do
school uniforms affect student attitudes” “Students gain presentation which leads to improved
discipline in the classroom”(Broad). With school uniforms, students are being prepared for future job
dress codes. Also according to Broad “Uniforms improve attendance, rates, prevents forming
gangs”(Baumann). Being in a non-uniformed school, gang violence can be a huge contribution to
students unsafety.

Some may say, uniforms lack individuality, freedom of expression and cost a lot more, however,
clothing does not determine a person's individuality and students can express themselves in many
different ways. For starters, students can express themselves with jewelry, sweaters, etc. Emma Jacobs
in “Wearing a school uniform doesn't help us learn” “Teachers spend time and energy policing uniform
when they could presumably be teaching us”. Although this may hold some truth, when students are
dressed properly they must be consequences (Jacob). According to Helm “A study from charity Family
Action,which supports disadvantaged families, says many poorer parents will have paid out 40% of their
monthly outcome”. This shows that uniforms can be pricey, but still a lot cheaper than shopping for a
non-uniformed school.

In Conclusion, School uniforms should be implemented in schools because they prevent bullying, budget
friendly for parents, and ensure discipline. Bullying is a dangerous characteristic that students develop
in schools. Recently transferring from a uniformed school it definitely ensured equality and unity. With
all these suicides and school shootings occurring in schools, due to feeling stay out and bullied, there
needs to be a change. The first step to do this is uniform. What will YOU do for your school?

Works Cited

Bauman, Chris Krskova,Hana. “School discipline, School uniforms and academic performance”. Eric. 2016
Web March 12th, 2018

Broad, Stephanie. “How do school uniforms affect students attitudes”. Independent Education Today.
10, June 2016 Web. March 9th, 2018

Elliot, Elise.”Thank god for school uniforms”. The Daily Telegraph. 02 February 2017.Web March 7th,
2018

Hassan, Farzana.”School uniforms will help stop bullying”. Toronto Sun. 18,September 2014. Web
March 9th, 2018

Helm, Toby Busby Eleanor.”School uniforms costs “breaks the bank” for poorer families” The Guardian
3,September 2011 Web. March 9th, 2018

Ingram, Leah “How school uniforms can save money” Parade. 1, August 2016 Web. March 9th, 2018

Jacobs, Emma.”Wearing a school uniform doesn't help us learn”. The Guardian, 7th, November 2014
Web. March 12, 2018
Martin, Hannah. “School uniforms: Good for kids or just another expense ?” Stuff, 19th, January 2017,
Web. March 9th 2017

Wharton,Claydene. “College of Education researcher conduct study on impacts of school uniforms.”

Nevada Today. 23rd, April 2013 Web. March 12th, 2018

Wilde, Mariah. “Do uniforms make schools better”. Great School. 3rd November,2017 Web. March 7th,
2018