Uniforms - "Aye" or "Nay" ?

"Some people believe that requiring students in school settings to conform to a dress code improves student behavior, reduces differences among socioeconomic levels, and enhances students' self-confidence. Others say that policies stipulating dress codes or requiring school uniforms infringe upon students' First Amendment rights, stifle individuality, and impose unnecessary means of control."

This was a quote taken from a website on Educational Management which was discussing about uniforms implemented in schools that I was reading from. I do really wonder why are these people even bringing up the issue about school uniforms. I mean, if the government implemented the policy that all students attending public schools must wear uniforms, then what is the big deal?

When I read this part..."infringe upon students' First Amendment rights, stifle individuality, and impose unnecessary means of control", I instantly thought of one thing. How on Earth can your uniform stifle your individuality?!! If you have style, you HAVE style. If you stand out, you WILL stand out - be it in jeans and t-shirt or the ever controversial school uniform. Granted, if you are dressed in branded clothes and have cool accessories (or even weird ones) - you will definitely attract attention. When the quote of "stifling individuality" comes up, I think its just that those who are fashion freaks a.k.a Mr/Ms Vain Pot's way of saying that "I want to stand out and attract as much attention as I can get. So just get off my case!" Thus, I would like to say it again - if you're cool, you're COOL. Accept the fact if you're not, and stop whining, giving lame excuses and blaming anything or anyone else. Grow up, mature and show TRUE INDIVIDUALITY!

And the part of "imposing unnecessary means of control", I really think its no issue at all! How is it that wearing school uniform reflects the school's control over an individual? Try remembering the times when you were (or are still) in school which required you to wear uniform. Did it even managed to control you in anyway? Okay, I'll admit...with the school uniform on, it will be a nuisance if you were to be outside of school when it is still in session. Therefore, the control that it puts will be on those who plans to play truant. However, are you even supposed to be doing that when you are in school for a reason? If asked the question, "Why are you in school?" The answer would be, "To learn and study" of course! Then when playing truant is not supposed to happen when school is in session, can you honestly say that the control is unnecessary? Isn't it just one tiny, simple way of dealing with one of the many discipline problems that the schools/Education Ministry are worried about?

Okay, I know that this comment..."reduces differences among socioeconomic levels, and enhances students' self-confidence" does not ring 100% true. But it does make sense to a certain degree. The uniform policy was implemented, in hopes that the disparity among students can be lessened if not totally diminished. But it definitely exist, the disparity in SES (socioeconomic status) between students in schools. Even with the implementation of uniforms, there is undeniably still an obvious difference between students from the middle-income earning group compared to those from the high-income earners. Still, I do think its good that whatever little disparity that can be lessened, it'll go a long way in encouraging wholesome friendships and reducing cliquing. The part about self-confidence...I really do not know how can school uniforms encourage the building of it. I myself had my uniformed days in school, and I can't really say that it did encourage self-confidence. Perhaps if looked from another viewpoint - uniforms keep the other students from being overly fashionable and dripping with brand names from head-to-toe. Thus, keeping the other less fortunate students from looking mousy and sooooo unfashionable.....then, maybe there is a point there.

This opinionated post is available for further discussion. Please feel free to comment as you feel appropriate about this issue. ;) Looking forward to any comments. Thx a bunch!!