Why school uniforms are good and bad

Wearing school uniforms has become a controversial issue because some people feel uniforms are good while others feel they should be allowed the freedom to wear what they want to wear in a school. There is a big rift between school uniform supporters and those against them. Here are some reasons why school uniforms are good and bad:

Why school uniforms are good: 

1. Equality

A school uniform creates a sense of equality among students and also makes every student feel equal. Uniforms prevent students from being too judgmental on what they wear and make them look the same and equal. Uniforms also make everyone equal and deals with the issue of whether students are from a poor or rich family because, with uniforms, they all look the same. 

2. Uniforms enhance student self-esteem

School uniforms are good for students who are not well-off or who are from low-income families because uniforms will give a student an important reminder that they are all the same. Also, uniforms will help to enhance students’ self-esteem; hence students will feel more confident. School uniforms also helps those students from a low-income family to concentrate on their studies without worrying about being bullied because of the clothes they wear. Wearing a uniform helps a student to think positively about themselves and behave accordingly. 

3. Identification of students

Uniforms may be necessary for identification of students because if a student is lost, runs away from school and is in a school uniform, they can be easily identified. Most schools have different and unique uniforms that helps them to keep track of their students. Uniforms help one to identify which school one belongs to and prevent outsiders coming into the school. 

Why uniforms are bad: 

1. Limits self-expression

Most teens and kids use the way they dress to express themselves and therefore they feel wearing a uniform limits them on self-expression. Some students express themselves through fashion and also distinguish themselves from other groups without uniforms. Students feel that wearing a specific type of shoes and stylish clothes allows them to express themselves more freely. On the contrary uniforms will limit them from expressing their personality. 

2 Uncomfortable

Most students feel that uniforms are very uncomfortable and they want to wear what they feel comfortable with. Some children are sensitive to a particular material and uncomfortable wearing one type of clothing every time. Some girls do not like wearing skirts or dresses which most uniform designs conform to, so they end up feeling uncomfortable. Some uniform designs are very uncomfortable when the temperature is high, and others when it is cold. 

3. Costly

Most schools specify a certain manufacturer where you should buy the uniform to ensure uniformity, but it can be costly. Unlike in a school where uniforms are not required parents spend little money on their children’s clothing. Also, school uniform is expensive because some schools require students to have a variety of uniforms: some for games, daily wear and uniforms for other school activities and events. 

It is thus evident that wearing of school uniforms by students is both beneficial and disadvantageous to them and their parents. Most schools will however, prefer their students to wear a uniform while in school. It is up to parents and educational institutions to weight the pros and cons and evaluate these within the context where they operate.