Topic > School uniforms in public schools

Uniforms were first believed to become more popular in public schools in the early 2000s. In 2015, over 150 students in Europe were sent home from school for wearing the wrong clothing items in their uniforms. Uniforms can affect students by making them miss class because they are wearing the wrong shoes. School uniforms can also help prepare students better when it comes time to get a job, considering they will have already experienced more formal clothing. The debate over whether schools should have forced students to wear uniforms is a highly controversial topic. The question is whether school uniforms should be added to more public schools and whether they have a positive effect. This is a problem because people get in trouble for wearing what the school believes are the wrong clothes. In 2015 a European talk show called “Loose Women” discussed the school uniform debate where it shared that “over 200 students in Europe have been sent home from school for wearing the wrong shoes and socks” (Loose Women). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Additionally, today's program states that the topic is whether "Schools should be able to require uniforms" (Savannah Guthrie). Some students, in fact, fear that they will not be able to express themselves freely through their clothes. School uniforms began to become more popular in public schools in the early 2000s. “Mandatory uniform policies are found in public schools with higher poverty rates.” School uniforms in the late 1980s were rare in most public schools until the 2000s. In fact, one in five public schools in the United States required students to wear uniforms in the 2013–2014 school years. This means that school uniforms applied in public schools have increased over time since the 1980s. After schools with notable crime in their schools mandated and added school uniforms, the schools believed that the uniforms kept crime rates lower. “Uniforms were introduced at Sparks Middle School in Nevada, police data showed a 63% drop in police reports and gang activity.” Think of all the baggy clothing students might be hiding gang weapons or accessories in their baggy sweatshirts and sweatpants. Therefore school uniforms could deter crime and gang activity. School uniforms may encroach on First Amendment freedoms. School uniforms can limit students' freedom of expression through their clothing, it seems that students are being invaded by their freedom all because of the uniforms. In fact, “The First Amendment guarantees that everyone has the right to express himself freely.” Think of the war heroes who fought for freedom and those students who can't even wear the clothes they like. When school uniforms are included in schools, students will not feel as aware of what they have and what other people have. School uniforms can keep students focused on school work instead of clothes (Robin Silverman). In fact, "a study conducted at the University of Houston found that elementary school girls' test scores increased 5 percent after school uniforms were introduced." Schools want students to be themselves, but they can't when schools?