How Much Difference Do School Uniforms Really Make?

Having interacted with a number of schoolsbranded and posh clothes, and thereby inducing
across America, almost every school studentinferiority complex among the not-so-privileged
wanted an answer to this question. So, do schoolchildren. Uniforms assert the important message
uniforms really make any difference and if so,that ones individuality, character and capability
what are the good and bad effects of makingcannot be judged by mere clothes and brands.
students wear uniforms. Let us debate on thisEvery one is made equal and should be treated
controversial topic -equally.
School uniforms are said to promote the virtue ofWearing fashionable clothes of the latest fad can
professionalism. Wearing uniforms inculcates abe quite distracting and distort the study
sense of seriousness among the studentsenvironment of the school. Wearing uniforms
thereby, taking the school work and studies muchensures that children are in appropriate attires and
more seriously. Student, who has to wear uniformhelps curb unnecessary distraction that can be
everyday to school, will not worry about his orcaused by outrageous fashion fads or revealing
her appearance or how smartly they are dressedattire. This psychologically affects the children's
or who is dressed better than whom today.attitude towards studying for which schools are
Then next important point to make is the sensebasically built.
of discipline that uniforms can instill among theUniforms are never too costly and can be
students. At least, making the students wear theafforded by each and everyone, unlike the
uniform, whether they want it or not is a startfashionable clothes. So, uniforms are very
towards establishing discipline in their lives. Also,economical. Not to mention, uniforms are always
discipline is a necessity in school partly, because adesigned to be comfortable and gives the student
teacher has to tackle a class of about 30flexibility to indulge in physical activities such as
students at a time, and it would be ever sosports or physical training.
difficult if each and every student is unruly andThe last but not the least, school uniforms instill a
undisciplined.feeling of oneness and belonging to school and to
Also, there is one bitter fact that remains amongeach other, thereby, building the school spirit. This
children and teenagers. And that is differentiatingis perhaps the most significant contribution of a
and discriminating against those who are eitherschool uniform which any other type of clothing
financially not extravagant or who may not be ascan never set to achieve.
bright as others in studies or those who areThe only objection cited against school uniforms
different in appearance and such other criteria.cited is the suppressing of individuality and
Uniform helps spread a virtue of equality amongstself-expression and often triggers a rebellious spirit
the students, at least to an extent. Those schoolsamong the students. And often the point which is
which welcome casual clothes and do not enforcebrought up is that, a student's attire or dressing
wearing of uniforms often witness great disparityhas nothing to do with academics.
between rich and poor kids. The rich might flaunt