There has been a debate in recent years about including uniforms in the dress code of public schools, particularly elementary schools located in low-income inner-city areas. Dress code policies are occasionally introduced in middle schools as well.
While dress codes are rare in high schools, there is a lack of concrete evidence regarding the advantages of adopting uniforms (Adams, 2006). When choosing to implement a school uniform policy, it is important to take into account whether students at that particular high school have past familiarity with wearing uniforms.
If students have previously worn uniforms in elementary and middle school, then mandating them for first-year high school students will not be as contentious as if it was a completely new requirement (Walmsley, 2011). In this scenario, students would continue wearing school uniforms every year until they graduate. Conversely, if high school students have not been obligated to wear uniforms in previous years, they may strongly object. The most seamless approach to implementing a uniform policy is to introduce it in elementary school and let students continue wearing them each subsequent year.
When comparing or contrasting the use of school uniforms, a second point to consider is the cost. Many people associate dress codes with expensive items like jackets with insignias, button-down Oxford shirts, ties, slacks, and skirts, which can worry parents about the expense. However, a school uniform can simply mean everyone dressing in the same way.
For boys, this can mean dark or khaki colored slacks and polo-styled shirts in basic colors of navy blue and white. For girls, it might also mean polo-styled shirts and slacks or skirts in designated colors. These items can be found in various department stores at various prices (Alleyne, LaPoint, Lee, & Mitchell, 2003; Walmsley, 2011). In contrast, what one thinks of as regular school clothing can be as expensive or as inexpensive as a uniformed style of clothing; any article of clothing can be bought in different levels of quality, at different prices, in different stores.
Supporters of school uniforms argue that implementing a standardized dress code would alleviate the significant amount of disciplinary attention focused on student violations of the current dress code (Walmsley, 2011). By mandating that boys wear well-fitted slacks, polo shirts, belts, and standard shoes, issues such as inappropriate printed t-shirts and ill-fitting pants could be effectively addressed. Similarly, girls would be required to wear slacks or skirts, standard shoes, and polo shirts in order to combat concerns regarding revealing clothing. However, the length of skirts may still remain a contentious issue.
Another aspect to consider when comparing or contrasting the use of school uniforms is school safety. According to Alleyne et al. (2003), there is an argument that identifying trespassers on school grounds becomes easier when students wear uniforms that are uniform in style and color. This argument holds some validity.
Schools have experienced instances of unauthorized individuals entering their campuses. Although this is a multifaceted problem, implementing a school uniform policy could potentially aid in addressing it. Naturally, there are concerns from students and parents about maintaining their individuality and freedom of expression. Nevertheless, the majority of individuals adhere to certain dress codes and standards in various settings such as work, court appearances, religious institutions, and numerous other activities.
Self-expression in school is not more restricted compared to other places. Further research is necessary in order to determine if implementing a dress code in schools can potentially provide benefits.
