Hey all, I'm writing an argumentive paper supporting why uniforms shouldn't be an option for schools and work. Even if you don't agree, please give me your reasoning as I need to refute it in my paper. I understand the importance of uniforms in certain professions and think it's great but not for everything. If you guys could just tell me why you agree or disagree, that would really help me out.

I am not sure I have an opinion either way. I can understand why people argue in each direction.

Uniforms remove some of the distractions for kids (especially younger) as they don't get into the competition of who has more money, who can afford these jeans, etc. It makes for an even footing for all students. They all unite in their hatred of wearing a uniform and have no opportunity to worry about insignificant junk like who wears which running shoes. Some might say it also fosters an attitude of unity and respect, much like uniforms do for cops and soldiers.

However, especially in later years, I am not sure the value of school uniforms is as strong as in younger years. People are mostly adults by the time they leave high school (I know most don't act that way) and probably it is not necessary to have them wear uniforms.

There is a lot to be said for independence and choice too of course.

Hope that makes my position as clear as mud. LOL

i wish i had uniforms in high school, i wouldn't have to think about what i was gonna wear, how ppl will judge me if i wore this or that, i.e. made my life a lot easier in the mornings! although i think having casual fridays would be good in a uniform school, giving a breather and prep for the weekend!

Jillybean, having uniforms in school solves the problems of students teasing each other about clothes because they're all wearing the same thing. However, it creates a whole new set of problems. I spent four years telling students to tuck in their shirts, pull up their pants, tighten the belt, or asking where the belt is. Wrong shoes, wrong shirt, those pants have outside pockets and that isn't allowed. It takes away from the instructional time. Then you have the parents who buy their child ONE shirt, ONE pair of pants, and ONE belt. By Friday, they're reeking and the whole class is disrupted because no one can concentrate, including the teacher.

As a teacher, I elected to wear a version of the school uniform for practical purposes. I didn't have to really think about what I was going to wear. But, it wasn't required for faculty and staff, it was our choice. Many of the teachers I worked with elected to wear the uniform. I wore mine two to three times per week, and dressy casual clothing the rest of the week. That worked for me, however, the students weren't too happy. They thought we should have to wear uniforms every day, just like them.

I hope this has been some help to you, Jilly. :)

Uniforms for school's is a great idea. Just because I remember when I was in school I remember all of the rich kids singing the Bo-Bo's" song to the poor kids. The uniform would illeviate that. Kids and teenagers are under enourmous pressure to always have the "coolest" stuff.


As for uniforms for jobs. Mmmmmm, Cops and Soldiers!! ;) :lol:

Uniforms went out long ago in the my school. There is now a dress code which gives some leeway to keep an identity but, as professionals, us teachers have a duty to dress appropriately and "give the right impression". However, staff in office blocks and call centres that never meet the public should not be wearing uniform. It is one of the major issues in society for unhappiness in the workplace.

Well, speaking as somebody who wore a uniform to every job I have had since I was 18, I can say that uniforms at work, are sometimes needed to ensure a professional appearance. If you walked into a doctors office, and the nurse, or doctor came out in baggy pants, with a t shirt, would you feel they are professionals?

When I was in the Navy, one thing that ALWAYS got me riled up was somebody in an unkempt uniform, or wearing it wrong. There were specific guidlines for what to wear, and how to wear it, and those who didnt comply usually were the people who didnt deserve the honor of serving. A good, crisp uniform was always a sign of a dedicated sailor. So, that has always been my impression of workers, no matter what field they are in. If the guy at McDonalds has baggy pants, shirt untucked and hat on crooked, chances are he is impolite, sloppy in his work, and unprofessional.


Schools on the other hand are another story. I believe all kids in school, from kindergarten up should wear some sort of standardized clothing. Not neccesarily pants, shirt and tie, etc. In virginia, at the middle school near my house, 7th graders wore Khaki Pants (skirts for girls if they wanted) and a RED shirt. 8th graders wore Blue pants and White shirts. 9th Graders were Khaki with Blue Shirts. It was easy to identify what grade somebody was in, and, if there were outsiders around the school, they were easy to pick out.

Plus, if you get kids used to uniforms in grade school, and you are requiring it in later years, it isnt such an adjustment for them.

Uniforms are a great equalizer--if there is no difference in clothing, then that levels the playing field a little between the kids who come from poorer homes and those who don't. I also believe that uniforms make for fewer distractions in schools and less chance of a kid wearing something "parent approved" out of the house only to change when they get to school. There is no reason for girls to be wearing butt-crack pants and t*tty tops to school--they shouldn't be wearing them anyway, but especially not in an environment that requires them to concentrate and learn. Similarly, I am sick of young men wearing pants that don't make it up to the underside of their a$$ cheeks either. IF your parents let you wear that stuff, it shouldn't be worn at school. A child can still be self-expressive and individualistic. Uniforms will ensure that they have to do that through art, writing, etc.

LOL.. sorry, Jilly.. we're no help with this one.. because it looks like we all agree that uniforms are beneficial.. I'm all for being able to creativly express your individuality with your clothes, too.. though.. so I'm torn down the middle..
You have to remember... if we had uniforms solely in the80s.. we wouldn't have all of our "gnarly" "radical" styles to talk about here so freely, now, would we? ;)

LOL.. sorry, Jilly.. we're no help with this one.. because it looks like we all agree that uniforms are beneficial.. I'm all for being able to creativly express your individuality with your clothes, too.. though.. so I'm torn down the middle..
You have to remember... if we had uniforms solely in the80s.. we wouldn't have all of our "gnarly" "radical" styles to talk about here so freely, now, would we? ;)

That is true, and I see that point too, but you know, I don't remember ever dressing as scantily as kids do today, and at a younger and younger age. Young people wearing clothing that should be reserved for adults in certain situations...My little niece Jazmine thinks I'm a jerk when I refuse to buy her low-slung jeans and little crop tops and whatnot. My explanation is always that she is a young lady and I want her to look like one. It's not that I expect her to wear long woolen skirts or anything--for example, Mary-Kate and Ashley clothing is funky and cute without being slutty.

I think that the funky crap should be left out of schools, though, because there are so many people who don't use their common sense in what their kids wear anymore. THere is always someone who pushes the envelope in the name of "freedom" or "rights". Hmmm, how about dressing in the name of "common sense"?

Well Jillybean, personally I'm pro-uniform for much of the same reasons that's you've been hearing from the others. You'll never get away from the "us and them" or "the rich kids vs the poor kids" (not that money should make any difference in the education system, but unfortunately it does :( ), but uniforms do put you on a level playing field, and they do help foster more self confidence from those that have less .... the only thing left after the uniforms to show up on would be shoes and coats ... at time this can be a no win situations.


Canadian80's

You know, I guess that I am on the outside on this because I do not think that uniforms are going to help in school. Rich kids will tease the poor kids regardless whether there are uniforms or not. Teasing others is what they do.

Thanx for all of your help. You all make valid points and I appreciate that. Brandy and Tina, I agree that none of us dressed like hoochies back when we were in school. I can't believe some of the stuff kids wear nowadays. The worst thing I remember seeing was torn jeans. Now, girls wear half a pair of jeans. Yikes.

Polly, I totally agree about people who don't work with the public shouldn't have to wear uniforms! At my first real job, we could wear whatever as long as it was neat and clean but someone got a wild hair up their ass and decided that everyone on the floor should be in uniforms except customer service. I couldn't believe it. We didn't even deal with clients (I worked at a huge print shop). I can see those who worked on the press and got dirty, yeah, makes sense but those of us who are at computers? WTF. One of the reasons I quit was due to that. Talk about separation. You couldn't walk upstairs to C.S. without someone giving you the look "what are YOU doing up here". Ack. Bad flashbacks.

Uniforms are beneficial depending on the situation. Jasper, you make great points about McD's and the Navy, I totally agree.

I figure kids are going to be teased regardless of what they have. This is a tough one to answer, I just had to find arguments to support my paper and you all were a great help.

I feel the schools should make the kids wear them. Some of the stuff some of these kids are wearing today are not appropriate for their age groups. Girls are looking older and older everyday. Even high school kids should wear them. I mean with thongs hanging out of their low rise jeans and stuff some of these girls are asking for some trouble. A 14 year is starting to look like a 20 year old now a days.

Hello? Apparently my earlier post is invisible to everyone here. I DO NOT agree that uniforms are completely beneficial in the public school system. And believe it or not, uniforms are NOT an equalizer. There will ALWAYS be something for students to tease other students about. Unless students are required to wear the same brand of pants, shirts, skirts, belts, shoes, socks, etc... there will never be equality with uniforms. There are parents will find a way to advertise their wealth through their children. Believe me, it happens. A pair of $200 tennis shoes stand WAY out. How about that designer pair of pants. They're khaki, therefore they are acceptable.

Let me add that I don't necessarily approve of what children choose to wear today. I do think there should be a dress CODE and that it should be strictly enforced.

Heya Jen, I understood what you were saying and I do agree with the points you made! Even if students were required to wear the same whatever, they will find ways to accessorize either way. Just look at 'The Craft'.

YES!! That movie is a perfect example of how they can get around the "rules".

I hate school uniforms. All high schools in New Zealand make you wear them until you're a senior. I still managed to get teased about my uniform. Once my mother bought me a pair of black shoes, which stitching was a little different to the standard black shoes others wore. I was often ridiculed about them. :rolleyes: So kids will still tease you if your uniform is not 100% identical, damaged, or old looking.

For a while my ex and I were sending our two kids to a private school where uniform had to be worn. It was an utter pain in the neck having to find clean uniform pieces... socks, shorts, shirts.... So much wasted time and they had to be clean too! There would have been far less stress in the mornings just getting them to fling on some normal clothing and not having to worry about whether they were wearing the right colored socks! :rolleyes: Also uniforms are expensive and when they get damaged you have to quickly buy replacements.

Also, if NZ schools are anything to go by, most uniforms are 1 or 2 decades out of style so you look like a complete dork wearing them. Most schools also make you wear shorts in the winter, which is not pleasant when living in cold places, like where I used to live. (I'd ride my bike to school in the winter and end up with little tiny icicles on the hairs of my legs once I got to school)

There you go Jilly, there's some valid reasons why uniforms suck. I have had a guts full of them! :argh: