Individuality and the New School Uniform

Friday 03rd of July 2009 08:17:19 PM

School uniforms will be popping up in many public schools this fall in the US. Previously confined to private schools, the new school uniforms are more user friendly. They include cotton printed t-shirts and pants that are comfortable and cost effective.

Schools want students to wear uniforms for many different reasons. Unfortunately, parents and students have just as many reasons for objecting to them. Schools feel a uniformed student body creates a professional atmosphere where students will work hard and learn. Parents and students see the uniforms as a loss of individuality.

On the side of school improvement, many studies show an improvement in behavior and grades once uniform policies are instituted. Some schools report scores raising an average of 2 letter grades. Disciple referrals go down and a true learning environment exists.

As to individuality, schools and counselors report that in many cases a school uniform allows more individual expression than ever before. “Once fashion is no longer a factor in school dress,” says Jan Perry, a high school counselor, “students are required to express themselves in different ways. We see all sorts of individual expressionism arise from the ashes of current fashion.”

Perry, and many others, feel that when fashion no longer determines who a student is, what clique they belong to, they must begin to truly express themselves, possibly for the first time in their lives. A student previously popular because she was on top of current fashion is suddenly put in a different situation. She can now become known for her humor, her artistic ability, her brain, anything that expresses who she is will now be forced into public view.

T-shirts are the perfect choice for these new uniforms. They are comfortable and cost effective. Suppliers can offer schools many different choices in styles and colors while still providing a high quality product.

So, the next time someone expresses fear of the loss of individuality with school uniforms you can take the opposite position. And win!