There

is a Uniform Agreement: The Answer is No By Melissa R. Tyndall In this nation of television addicts and MTV viewers, chances are that students have

seen Brittney Spears video, Hit Me Baby (One More Time). When students think of school uniforms, they do not picture the plaid micro-minis and half-buttoned blouses that celebrities wear in music videos. Many students oppose the idea of uniforms in public schools because mandating a standardized attire will not reflect the sexy catholic school girl look portrayed on television. In the real world, controversy always arises over the issue of whether or not uniforms should be worn in public educational facilities. School uniforms restrain individuality and waste money without solving any school-related problems. Those in agreement with new school uniform policies may convey that uniforms will promote unity among students. Though it is a nice concept to consider, a piece of cloth is not going to blur boundaries between students. It is unlikely that uniforms in public schools will decrease gang activity or violence, blur the lines between socio-economic groups, provide unity among the social lives of students, or eliminate distractions that various styles cause. There are some advocates who say that uniforms will decrease gang activity. However, as stated in a news article by Dennis L. Evans, Wearing school uniforms will hardly change students gang mentality, despite prohibitions on gang attire (Evans 115- 116). Despite the fact that gang members might not be able to display their team colors while wearing a uniform, that will not prevent them from flashing gang signs nor will it erase the memories of rival gang members. Opposing gangs will look past the uniforms and

continue to see an enemy. Also, as Evans stated, uniforms may simply make it harder for administrators to identify gang members if necessary (Evans 115-116). In addition, uniforms will not solve school-related violence. Even if uniforms were worn, students could still be attacked for designer jackets and shoes because uniforms do not conceal the wealth of a person. Students will continue to act indifferently toward each other due to opposing races, religious beliefs, and sexual preferences. Uniforms cannot conceal the lifestyle of a student. The differences between students standards of living will remain obvious despite the fact students are conforming to one style. Another factor in the uniform debate is whether or not the barriers between economic groups will diminish. Mandating uniforms in public schools may only make things worse for poor families when it comes to the cost of such attire. Uniforms run up to forty dollars each in some cases, and more than likely students will need more than one uniform to last the year (Bedard 37). Also, many households have more than one child. Costs would easily build up, and some families may not be able to afford those costs. If people are going to hold economic status as the main reason for association with another person, they will continue to see money as an important factor regardless if uniforms are worn. Since the beginning of time, social barriers have existed between students in every school. Whether divided by their race, their religious preferences, or their interests, divides will still exist between todays youth with or without uniforms. Social groups who previously despised one another will not blend simply because their apparel is identical. Students will not suddenly change the stereotypes they have created throughout their years in school.

Still another argument in this school system war is that uniforms will eliminate distractions in the learning process. Julia Wilkins, who has a masters degree in social policy, recently wrote: The October 15, 1998, USA Today reports that teachers felt uniforms contributed to higher academic achievement because students were not distracted by the clothes of their classmates. Once again, this is a skill students need to learn in school, as no employer is going to accept that an employee produced inadequate work because they were "distracted" by the clothes of their coworkers. (Wilkins 19) In addition, unconventional hairstyles, piercings, tattoos, and the behavior of other students could still be distracting despite the fact uniforms are being worn. Perhaps the most vital reasoning not to have uniforms in public schools is that it stifles the individuality of students. As Wilkins wrote in her article, It is difficult to understand how students can develop positive self-esteem when they cannot express themselves as individuals and are forced to dress like everyone else around them. The teenage years are marked by the need to express uniqueness and individuality, and uniforms serve only to restrict the urge to experiment at a time when personal identity is very important. She went on to write that teenagers may go as far to express their individuality through body piercing, tattoos, and radical hairstyles when they cannot wear clothing to express themselves (Wilkins 19). Those against having schools mandate uniforms might go as far to state that we would be preventing todays youth from discovering who they truly are, possibly causing an identity crisis later in life. In addition, critics might argue that a persons individuality is what makes him or her

special and unique. No one wants to look like a carbon-copied cutout, a toy soldier of the school system. A mandate of uniforms in public schools is a transgression of the rights we have as citizens. Every American is supposed to be able to speak, believe, and dress however he or she chooses. Have schools forgotten we live in a democracy? Forcing students to wear uniforms in public schools will not only stamp out individuality, but it will not solve any problems in the education system. Uniforms will not decrease gang activity or school violence, join socio-economic groups, alter the social lives of students, or erase distractions in the classroom. Works Cited Bedard, Paul. All uniformly in agreement(student uniforms and public schools). Insight on the News. v12. March 25, 1996. 37. Evans, Dennis L. School uniforms: an unfashionable dissent. NASSP Bulletin. v80. Oct 1996. 115-116. Wilkins, Julia. School Uniforms (not clear that school uniforms will reduce violence). The Humanist. v59. March 1999. 19.