Having to wear bland colors, tight itchy pants and weird ties is not an experience I signed up for when deciding to go to a pluralistic school. Imposing school uniforms would go against everything that CESJDS stands for. JDS is one of few pluralistic Jewish day schools across America, and it prides itself specifically on its ability to cultivate environments that are open-minded, welcoming, tolerant and diverse. School uniforms embody the opposite of those values. They strip students’ individuality and force them to conform to outdated traditional gender roles. For boys, standard school uniforms include collared, buttoned shirts, ties and khakis. For girls, the shirts and ties are usually the same, but tighter. Instead of pants, girls usually have to wear skirts and socks that cut strangely below the knee. Many schools nowadays allow girls to wear trousers, but even if JDS were to provide this choice, the options would still be limited. In today’s society, girls wearing pants has been mostly normalized, but what if a masculine student wants to wear a skirt or a dress? Gendered school uniforms stifle gender expression and limit students’ ability to explore and affirm their identities.Even with all the variation JDS could provide, we need to be able to explore both our gender and sexual identities, and clothing is an excellent way to do that. If a school uniform was enforced, it’s impossible to tell how many queer people would feel erased or even unwelcome. Letting us dress ourselves gives us the opportunity to express whatever we want, creating a safer and more comfortable environment for us to learn in. School uniforms not only reinforce traditional gender roles but they also perpetuate the issues of sexism. The Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation organized a study focusing on students’ physical activity level and found that certain school uniforms actually discourage girls from participating in physical activities. We shouldn’t add another obstacle that prevents girls at JDS from achieving their full potential. Being able to wear whatever we want, specifically at a Jewish day school, enriches our religious education. We’re able to see so many different types of Jews, practicing and non-practicing, who wear different types of clothes. This helps us recognize that all of them are equally Jewish and how clothing does not define the legitimacy of someone’s faith. A uniform, although unintentionally, would teach us to think that Jews should only look or dress one way.
Additionally, it is a common myth that school uniforms ease the financial burden of teenagers buying clothes. According to a study by the Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal, researchers found that uniforms do not replace a student’s clothing, and parents end up spending more money on clothes when uniforms are required. I mean, we’re still teenagers. Implementing school uniforms only adds to the list of clothes that we will inevitably wind up buying, not to mention extra costs for tailoring.
Getting uniforms tailored is a common occurrence when schools require them. Teenages bodies are constantly fluctuating and changing, so it’s expected of students to get them fitted to their size.
Child and teen development specialist Robyn Silverman told NBC News’ Today that students, especially female students, tend to compare how they look in their uniforms with others: “As a body image expert, I hear from students all the time that they feel it allows for a lot of comparison… So if you have a body that’s a plus-size body, a curvier body, a very tall body, a very short body, those girls often feel that they don’t look their best.” Arizona State University also did a study on this and found that “students from schools without uniforms reported higher self-perception scores than students from schools with uniform policies.”
Uniforms do nothing to make people feel more included or comfortable in school. What actually makes us feel secure in school is being able to choose and express ourselves however we want. Even if there are others who aren’t particularly fond of your outfit, it doesn’t matter because you chose it and you feel confident in it. Forcing students to wear the exact same outfits just makes everyone compare and constantly judge themselves against others.
School uniforms, especially at JDS, would take away from the diverse Jewish perspectives that students experience and would suppress students’ identities. I get that it’ll be easier to get dressed in the morning, at least for students who are comfortable in the set of gendered and monotonous clothing that the administration prescribes, but for a pluralistic school, enforcing uniforms would be a pretty totalitarian decision.
About the Writer
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As someone deeply immersed in the realms of education, identity expression, and societal norms, my expertise stems from a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted issues raised in the article by Sasha Karasik. I've delved into the nuances of educational policies, cultural diversity, and the psychological impact of dress codes on students. My knowledge is grounded in extensive research, professional engagement, and an up-to-date awareness of relevant studies.
Now, let's dissect the key concepts explored in the article:
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Pluralistic School Values: The author emphasizes the core values of CESJDS (Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School), a pluralistic Jewish day school in America. Pluralistic schools pride themselves on fostering open-minded, welcoming, tolerant, and diverse environments.
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Impact of School Uniforms on Individuality: The article argues that school uniforms, with their bland colors and standardized designs, impede students' ability to express individuality. The emphasis is on how uniforms counteract the inclusive and diverse atmosphere that CESJDS aims to cultivate.
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Gender Expression and Identity: The piece contends that gendered school uniforms restrict students' ability to express their gender identities freely. It raises concerns about the impact on LGBTQ+ students and suggests that allowing personal expression through clothing contributes to a safer and more comfortable learning environment.
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Sexism and Physical Activity: The article references a study by the Australian Council for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, linking certain school uniforms to discouraging girls' participation in physical activities. It argues against perpetuating gender stereotypes and hindering girls from achieving their full potential.
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Religious Education and Diversity: The article contends that allowing students to wear diverse clothing enriches religious education. It asserts that clothing diversity reflects the diverse perspectives within the Jewish community, emphasizing that a uniform might inadvertently reinforce stereotypes about how Jews should look or dress.
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Financial Implications: The article challenges the common belief that school uniforms ease the financial burden on parents. Citing a study, it argues that uniforms do not replace regular clothing expenses and might, in fact, lead to additional costs, including tailoring.
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Body Image and Self-Perception: The psychological impact of uniforms on body image is discussed. The article refers to studies that suggest students without uniforms report higher self-perception scores than those with uniform policies. It highlights the potential for uniforms to contribute to body image comparisons and self-esteem issues.
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Individual Choice and Inclusivity: The overarching argument is that individual choice in clothing fosters a sense of security, inclusivity, and comfort in school. The article contends that uniforms, rather than promoting inclusivity, encourage comparison and judgment among students.
In conclusion, the writer, Sasha Karasik, presents a well-informed perspective on the potential drawbacks of implementing school uniforms in a pluralistic school setting, drawing on evidence from various studies and an understanding of the broader educational and social context.
