In 1755, Benjamin Franklin, inventor, author and founding father of the American government, wrote: "Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, do not deserve neither liberty nor liberty." nor Security.” So, regarding the debate on school uniform policy, one could say that one must conform to the masses to ensure some safety; freedom is abandoned? Uniforms have been around for centuries; however, it was only introduced more recently into American public schools in 1979, as a way to combat differences in social status among students. Today, school uniform policies are seen as a way to combat violence in American school systems. Collin's online English dictionary defines uniforms as a set of identifying clothing prescribed for members of an organization, and the literal definition of uniform is identical or consistent. By implementing the uniform policy in schools, is the message intended for students to conform and not question authority? The school uniform policy is ineffective because it does not benefit the student body, parents, or faculty. For the implementation of the school uniform policy to be effective, the policy must: encourage students both academically and personally, be within a reasonable budget for the students' parents, be easy to apply, and finally, promote safety for students and teachers. With this in mind, the policy of wearing school uniforms does not directly improve a student's grade point average or help increase their self-image or self-confidence. Students improve their grades by participating in class, practicing the skills they learn in class, and applying themselves academically to strengthen the skills they learn, not… middle of paper… the impression that everyone is the same, and no one it is unique. Parents literally save nothing by enforcing this policy. It only constitutes additional out-of-pocket expenses. Violence in schools will not be deterred by what students wear. Society is deluding itself into thinking that by implementing the school uniform policy, violence, among other problems, can be solved. To be sure, it is simply a stand-in for these much larger problems. Works Cited “Dress For Success?”. Early Childhood Today 19.4 (2005): 3. Premier academic research. Network. February 9, 2014. McCarthy, Colman. “Uniforms are not a cure for school ills.” National Catholic Reporter 32.22(1996): 22. Premier academic research. Network. February 9, 2014. "School uniforms." Issues and controversies on file: n. page Problems and controversies. Facts OnFile News Services, September 1, 2000. Web. February 9. 2014.