School uniforms are a hot topic of debate in education. Although uniforms are most commonly seen in private schools, some argue that it should be the standard everywhere. So, should school uniforms be a mandatory thing in school? 

The first argument to be made against school uniforms is that there is not a significant decrease in bullying in schools with them, even if everyone looks similar. One of the main arguments pro-school uniform individuals use is that if everyone is dressed the same, that no one can be bullied for looking “different.” Unfortunately, there isn’t solid evidence to back this. 

School uniforms often require parents to purchase certain colored or tailored items of clothing, rather than a specific brand name. This still allows wealthier families to buy more expensive versions of the article, instead of the cheaper version that one could get from a lower-end store. If someone isn’t able to afford the more expensive version, there could still be bullying among peers due to the quality of their clothing. 

Tony Volk, associate professor at Brock University, claims that, “Overall, there is no evidence in bullying literature that supports a reduction in violence due to school uniforms.” Uniforms were created for the sole purpose of blurring the distinction between children of different socioeconomic classes, which means their overall purpose is defeated.

The second argument against school uniforms is that it strips the student of their individuality. The First Amendment in the U.S. constitution declares that every individual has the right to freely express themselves. 

Not only that, but not allowing children to make decisions for themselves can make them unprepared for the world as an adult. Outfit choices can be a form of seeking for one’s identity, which according to psychologists, is one of the key stages of adolescence. 

It has also been proven that uniforms can actually lead to more insecurity when it comes to body image. Development specialist Robyn Silverman states that, “As a body image expert, I hear from students all the time that they feel [mandatory uniforms] allows for a lot of comparison.” If students are forced to wear attire that doesn’t fit their body type, it can promote comparing their body to their peers’.

 A survey conducted in the present day concluded that around 70% of students would not be comfortable with a dress code. Overall, the evidence overwhelmingly suggests that school uniforms would not benefit students. So, why is it still a conversation in education?

While most students are statistically against uniforms, there are arguments to be made for the other side of things as well. For one, school uniforms have been proven to make schools safer in some ways. Reports from Long Beach, California, concluded that after two years of having a uniform policy that the possession of weapons went down about 52%, and that the usage of drugs fell about 69%.

That could be a huge deal for schools in densely populated areas that struggle with crime in the learning environment. 

School uniforms make concealing weapons or illegal substances more difficult, which discourages students from carrying them around on their person almost completely.

 It can also act as a security measure as well. Since everyone is dressed the same, spotting intruders becomes much less difficult and makes them easily recognizable.

A second argument to be made for school uniforms is that it helps to increase school pride in students, which can lead to a greater interest in their education. 

A study conducted in Texas surveyed 1,000 middle schools, and their findings were that there was a significant increase in feelings of belonging within schools that require uniforms. Students who feel like outcasts can have a sense of community through uniforms. 

Arnold Goldstein, head of a research center for aggression explains that overall in students, “teachers perceived an increase in the level of respect, caring, and trust…” Another study also concluded that students felt as if they were on a team when wearing their uniforms. 

Given the information provided, school uniforms should not be mandatory in schools. While there are benefits of having them, it’s too restrictive to a student’s rights. It also doesn’t always eliminate bullying in school settings either, which was the purpose of them at its core. Overall, it can hold a student back from expression during one of the most crucial development points in their lives.