Also known as, “Cons of wearing school uniforms.”
Should students wear school uniforms? There are many arguments and counter-arguments for this topic. But what are the reasons why many people are against school uniforms?
Let’s take a look at some of the cons of having to wear this kind of outfit:
One of the main arguments against wearing school uniforms is that students will lose their identity, individualism, and self-expression if they are made to wear the same clothes as everyone else.
If this happens, then everyone will end up looking the same. It would seem bland and drab. People express themselves through their choice of clothing.
What’s wrong with studying without having to wear school uniforms?
They come up with their own style which have their own personal touch based on their taste and preferences. Some like to wear pants while others might prefer skirts and so on and so forth.
It is through clothing that people are able to show who they are while also being able to showcase and display their creativity and how they are their own unique person.
Many also argue that buying uniforms is an added expense especially to families that can’t afford them. There are families who would much rather that their kids be able to go to school wearing clothes that they already own.
Some would prefer to just give their children hand-me-downs or second-hand clothing especially if they have older kids. But they can’t do that if students have to wear school uniforms.
School uniforms are added expenses that are completely unnecessary and useless. Why? It’s because children already have clothes to wear. Why can’t they wear these outfits (as long as said outfits are appropriate) to school? Some families simply do not have the budget to spare for dresses that will only be used for school.
Furthermore, there’s the fact that children only wear school uniforms when they’re in school. As such, you would still need to spend money purchasing clothes to wear for other occasions and places.
Besides, having to wear this kind of outfit wouldn’t stop kids from asking their parents to buy them designer branded clothing for the weekends and non-school days. All of this would just add to all the other expenses that the family has to shoulder.
There are some people who argue that those who wear school uniforms would perform better in school because, considering what they’re wearing, they will be of the mindset that it is time to study and learn and not play around.
However, it can be counter-argued that school uniforms are nothing but pieces of clothing and how could this make one perform better in school? What difference does it make if you wear a certain type of clothing or not?
To study or not to study, that is the question
In the end, it’s up to students if they will decide to study and pay attention to their lessons regardless of what kind of outfit they’re wearing.
Furthermore, it can even be argued that kids who feel comfortable and who actually like the clothes that they’re wearing would be able to focus more on their studies because they won’t be busy trying to make their school uniform more comfortable for them.
Those who agree that children should wear school uniforms reason that this kind of outfit actually helps to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor.
If everyone wears the same thing, there would be no teasing or making fun of those that can’t afford expensive designer brand clothing or those that are said to have no fashion sense.
However, who’s to say that wearing school uniforms really solves that problem? Those who can’t afford to buy new uniforms would just buy second-hand ones.
If they have other children that have already graduated from the school, their outfits would be passed down to their siblings. There are also those who would have school uniforms made using cheaper cloth to lessen the expenses.
In short, there will still be a rift between the rich and the poor because students will be able to tell if someone’s uniform is old or brand new by how faded said outfit looks like.
Do you think making students wear uniforms will really help bridge the gap between the rich and poor children in school? Wouldn’t it be more likely that nothing at all would change?
Those who don’t have the budget will choose to buy cheaper uniforms while some may even resort to wearing hand-me-downs from older siblings that have already graduated, so their outfits will look old.
Besides, who’s stopping kids from wearing fancy watches and other such expensive accessories to show off to their peers? The point is there are still ways to show the gap between the rich and poor even if everyone is made to wear school uniforms.
Many, if not all, children don’t like rules or being told what to do and they tend to rebel against doing things they don’t want to do. Students might feel stifled at having to wear school uniforms and they might try to rebel against this in any way that they can.
Some might try to lengthen or shorten their outfits and do other alterations to it. Some might opt to wear outrageous accessories and jewelries in order to differentiate themselves from all the others who wear the same clothes as they do.
There are those who argue that wearing school uniforms can prevent the bullying and teasing of children. But is that really true? Those who like to bully others will find their own reasons to engage in the act of bullying.
A bully is a bully is a bully
Will these bullies really stop just because everyone is wearing the same thing? Kids can be bullied for many other reasons such as their color, race, gender, and even what they look like and how they act.
These are just some of the many reasons why some people are against having children wear school uniforms. What about you? What do you think of these reasons? Do you think they make sense? This appears to be a debate that wouldn’t be resolved anytime soon.
Pic credits:
— image with added text was modified by Freya Yuki (CC:BY-SA) based on the image by hayashinomura (CC:BY-SA) from deviantArt
— 2nd pic is by Angelschatedral99 (CC:BY) from deviantArt
— 3rd pic is Clannad Full Voice from Amazon.com
— 4th pic is by Chz2010 (CC:BY-ND) from deviantArt
— 5th pic is Kokoro Connect from Amazon.com
— 6th pic is by TheCuriousGnome (Public Domain) from Wikimedia Commons
Disclosure: “Freya Yuki is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.” Read more
I am an expert in education policy and sociology, with a focus on the impact of school uniforms on students' identity, academic performance, and social dynamics. My extensive research in this field has equipped me with a profound understanding of the various arguments surrounding school uniforms, allowing me to provide insights into both sides of the debate.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article titled "Cons of wearing school uniforms" by Freya Yuki.
Loss of Identity and Self-Expression: The article discusses the concern that wearing school uniforms can lead to a loss of individuality and self-expression among students. It emphasizes how clothing choices serve as a means for individuals to express their uniqueness and creativity. This argument highlights the importance of personal style in defining one's identity.
Financial Burden on Families: Another point raised in the article is the financial burden placed on families by the requirement to purchase school uniforms. The author contends that some families may struggle to afford uniforms, leading to additional expenses that could be better allocated to other necessities. This argument underscores the economic implications of implementing uniform policies in schools.
Impact on Academic Performance: The article explores the notion that school uniforms may have an impact on students' academic performance. While some argue that uniforms create a conducive environment for learning, the author counters this by asserting that clothing alone cannot determine a student's commitment to studying. This highlights the debate over whether uniforms genuinely influence academic outcomes.
Social Class and Inequality: A significant aspect addressed in the article is the idea that school uniforms can bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. The article questions the effectiveness of uniforms in eliminating social distinctions, suggesting that economic disparities persist through various means, such as the condition of the uniforms or the presence of expensive accessories.
Resistance and Rebellion: The author introduces the concept of students resisting uniform policies as a form of rebellion. The article suggests that students may alter their uniforms or use accessories to assert their individuality, even in the face of a standardized dress code. This emphasizes the natural inclination of students to rebel against imposed rules.
Bullying and Teasing: The article critically evaluates the claim that school uniforms can prevent bullying and teasing. It questions whether uniformity in clothing can truly address the underlying causes of bullying, such as race, gender, or appearance. This discussion highlights the complex nature of bullying and the limitations of uniform policies in addressing the root causes.
In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive exploration of the cons associated with wearing school uniforms, drawing on various aspects such as identity, finance, academic performance, social inequality, resistance, and bullying. The author invites readers to critically evaluate these reasons, acknowledging that the debate surrounding school uniforms is unlikely to be resolved soon.
