Whether schools should enforce uniforms has been an ongoing debate for decades, although both sides have strong arguments. School uniforms provide a sense of equality among students. 18.8% of public schools require their students to wear a uniform and 57% of private schools do as well in the U.S (School Uniform Statistics: Cost, Safety, and Facts (2024)). Students are able to feel equal and comfortable around each other regardless of financial status or background. By being able to all dress the same, the school creates a community and unity. Additionally, the uniforms help save time in the morning for students and parents. Many children and teens waste time in the morning trying to decide what to wear which creates stress and more panic. As we all know, social media has created a big impact on kids everywhere and those same kids may feel the need to follow fashion trends so they do not appear less fortunate and increase their popularity. Uniforms save those that cannot afford the latest style of clothing and promote fairness.
On the other, some may feel that the uniforms take away from the students’ individuality. Students are able to show their creativity and personality through their style but uniforms would only suppress that. Moreover, uniforms are not cheap. The price of a basic uniform consisting of a top, skirt, trousers, socks, and shoes can range anywhere between $25-$500 per child per year and a school specific uniform can range anywhere from $100-$500 (School Uniform Statistics: Cost, Safety, and Facts (2024)). Although the uniforms are supposed to help financially, they indirectly create more of an imbalance especially because female uniforms are 12% more expensive than males (School Uniform Statistics: Cost, Safety, and Facts (2024)). Weighing out the pros and cons of school uniforms is essential for schools to find what’s best for their students.
