School Uniforms in Public Schools - Essay Example

School uniforms represent a sense of discipline, identity, parity, and belongingness, above their cost and an unflattering factor; therefore, it becomes highly significant that public schools should advocate the use of uniforms among their pupil. Schools basically aim to provide education to their students, but above that, they focus on inculcating various values in the children, among which the most significant is discipline. Wearing school uniforms would give the students a sense of order and obedience as well as encourage them to follow the rules and regulations of the particular institution they attend.

School uniforms for students are in a way what formal attire for adults at their jobs are, therefore wearing uniforms would prepare them for their adult life in this way. In all aspects of life, discipline is a must and school uniforms greatly contribute towards evoking a sense of discipline, therefore encouraging its use more throughout different schools. An important concept in the life of an individual is identified and schools provide their pupil with a sense of collective identity, especially so with the use of uniforms.

This identity brings a feeling of belongingness in the students and they start to believe that a school is a place where they fit. Thus, wearing uniforms inculcates in the minds of the students a feeling of identity and belongingness. Furthermore, uniforms aid the society to further identify which institution a particular child belongs to, in case of some emergencies or accidents, people can contact the school authorities for help. Another factor, which illustrates the relevance of school uniforms, is parity, from the part of both the school authorities as well as the students.

Firstly, uniforms make the students appear equal in front of the faculty, as there would not be any discrimination based on class. Secondly, students will view their fellow pupil as equal to them when they wear the same dress and thus, there arises parity and also a sense of unity among the students who wear uniforms to schools. Furthermore, uniforms “transform” schools “by making students and teachers safer” as the students cannot “hide dangerous objects” in their baggy clothing and there would not be fights over “expensive jackets or fancy sneakers” (Tarshis 22).

The opponents may say that uniforms “can be expensive” and that they “can add another challenge” for children, as they are “unflattering” to “certain body types” (Tarshis 23). However, this can be countered by the fact that uniforms are not as expensive as the other casual wears children crave for, which they want to show off to their friends. Children are greatly influenced by the latest trends and fashions, but, they would not be so stubborn to get expensive attires when they “can’t wear them to school” (Tarshis 23).

Considering the unflattering element of uniforms, it is important to acknowledge the fact that when students wear their uniforms they are not going to attend a function or event where their dress matters. Therefore, it does not matter if the uniform is unflattering for certain children, as it is not their outward appearance or beauty that counts in the academic premises. Some experts may disagree on the use of uniforms stating that they do not facilitate students to “express who” they “are” but the fact remains that clothes are not the only way of expressing what a person is (Tarshis 23).

There are far more significant elements that enable a person, especially a student, to express themselves, such as their intellect, character, behavior, talents as well as academic performance. Schools provide ample opportunities to the students where they can really express themselves through a variety of programs and competitions. Conclusion: The paper has thus explored various factors that support the relevance of the use of uniforms such as obedience, belongingness, the safety of the students and so on.

Although some people may oppose the use of uniforms due to its cost and the pressure it has on students who struggle with their body image, it is evident that uniforms represent a sense of discipline, identity, parity, and belongingness, thus outweighing their demerits. Therefore, it becomes highly significant that public schools, which already follow the uniform system, must continue it and those who do not have such a system must advocate one soon.