Uniforms Understood | Teen Ink

Uniforms Understood MAG

By Anonymous

     You awake to the rude call of your alarm clock and hit the snooze button. When you finally pull your groggy, sleepy self out of the comfort of your bed, you go to the closet and take out the plaid skirt, white polo shirt and designer ballet flats, your everyday apparel. As you march through the front doors of your school, you are welcomed by a sea of white shirts. It’s another day in a uniformed school.

You look upon your fellow freshmen and see no violence or teasing. You see your classmates socializing, not fearing ridicule. You see the glamorous make-the-most-popular-girl-in-school-jealous shoes your best friend is wearing and the exquisite earrings that dangle from her ears. Students beam with self-confidence and the anticipation of a new day. You walk confidently to homeroom, knowing that you are part of a huge family, knowing that the colors you and your fellow classmates wear give you a sense of belonging.

Many teens across the United States have mixed feelings about attending a school with uniforms. Some think they are a nuisance, but most don’t mind them. “It makes it easier to get dressed in the morning but doesn’t completely stop the competition because we can still wear designer shoes or earrings,” says one student.

Although many teens find uniforms tedious, they actually help schools in many ways. For one, they decrease school-related crimes, like theft, harassment, and hazing. Theft is reduced probably because students do not bring expensive clothing that would be worth stealing. Taunting, harassment, and hazing are reduced because everyone is dressed the same. It eliminates the need to have the latest designer fashions.

There is also a decrease in drug use and weapons. These two dangerous problems are reduced because the usual bagginess of regular pants and sweatshirts, which can hide drugs or weapons, is eliminated. A uniformed school is not a breeding ground for the next gang member.

Uniforms also make social standing less a matter of economics and more a result of moral character. In public schools, students’ popularity hinges on the clothes they wear. At uniformed schools, the social variable of clothing is removed.

Many studies hypothesize that uniforms help students focus better, since they can concentrate on the material rather than what those around them are wearing. Uniforms are also very affordable, which is why many parents support them. Parents also say “yay” to uniforms because in our society, many jobs required some sort of uniform; students are simply in the “business of learning.”

At the close of an academic day, I look back over the sea of white, swirling about in after-school bustle, confident that I will return to the same sea of white for the days and weeks to come.



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This article has 23 comments.


on Nov. 24 2009 at 10:53 pm
kindyxkandy BRONZE, Richmond, Virginia
3 articles 0 photos 31 comments

Favorite Quote:
"You have to suck before you get to success. It's about the journey."

I feel uniforms take away the right to be your true self. I think some dress code is obviously needed to keep estrogen filled teenage girls fully clothed, and testosterone filled boys to keep their pants at waist level, not at their butts.

But I like what I wear, and I would think wearing something that doesn't describe me is taking away my right to be creative, to live my life as I chose. And it's decreasing the possibilities that students have to learn what really is appropriate. I would hate wearing white. I spill things. I would HATE skirts. I don't like to shave, and even though I have to, I end up cutting myself. I don't like my legs, I am short. I wouldn't want to wear types of pants, because only certain kinds fit me properly, and I like skinny jeans. I think wearing something by force would make my confidence less than it is for me, and other girls.

I'm glad you have no problem giving in to conformity, good, you will become a productive member of corrupt, brainwashed, coperate america, but you won't change the world with that attitude.

Alyssa Jane said...
on May. 17 2009 at 8:10 pm
Alyssa Jane, Bellingham, Washington
0 articles 0 photos 5 comments
I think you make a good point, but uniforms also restrict teens from practicing to make good choices about themselves.

HOPEMVP said...
on Apr. 27 2009 at 4:48 pm
Disagree people should be able to express themselves in there clotjing as along as itv in non-voilent form. DRESS CODE (STRICT ONE)