Cons of the Debate are Significant
Many supporters of this issue proclaim that uniforms would reduce school violence and minimalize bullying, improve attendance, and cost less. But in reality, cliques will still form, students will still skip school, and uniforms may be a financial burden on some families. Opponents contend that there’s a lack of research to determine an underlying relationship between uniforms and discipline, or uniforms and student achievement. DeMitchell (2006) suggested that uniform policies may “only serve as a bandage in addressing the problems of schools and may provide policy makers a way to avoid making the difficult decisions necessary to reform public education,” (DeMitchell, 2006). In addition, opponents cite the legality of such policies (Lumsden, 2001). According to the American Civil Liberties Union, “School uniform policies do violate First Amendment rights…and go way beyond just having a reasonable dress code that promotes safety and decorum in schools” (Dress Codes and School Uniforms, 2006). Furthermore, experts say uniforms won’t stop bullying;
“Bullies are smart. They will just find some other way to show status. Who has the best iPod, who has the most games at home, who went on the biggest vacation? If kids want to pick on someone about how rich or how poor they are, clothes are one obvious symbol but there are a lot of other obvious ways for them to do it,” argues Tony Volk, an associate professor Brock University researcher who has done extensive research on bullying.
Crime and violence in schools are also not prevented by school uniforms. Although proponents contend that school uniforms help to identify outside intruders, they are not a violence prevention measure. In 2008, the Consortium to Prevent School Violence reasoned: “There is insufficient scientific evidence to endorse implementing school uniform programs as a school violence prevention strategy” (Teaching Tolerance, 2014).
Many supporters of this issue proclaim that uniforms would reduce school violence and minimalize bullying, improve attendance, and cost less. But in reality, cliques will still form, students will still skip school, and uniforms may be a financial burden on some families. Opponents contend that there’s a lack of research to determine an underlying relationship between uniforms and discipline, or uniforms and student achievement. DeMitchell (2006) suggested that uniform policies may “only serve as a bandage in addressing the problems of schools and may provide policy makers a way to avoid making the difficult decisions necessary to reform public education,” (DeMitchell, 2006). In addition, opponents cite the legality of such policies (Lumsden, 2001). According to the American Civil Liberties Union, “School uniform policies do violate First Amendment rights…and go way beyond just having a reasonable dress code that promotes safety and decorum in schools” (Dress Codes and School Uniforms, 2006). Furthermore, experts say uniforms won’t stop bullying;
“Bullies are smart. They will just find some other way to show status. Who has the best iPod, who has the most games at home, who went on the biggest vacation? If kids want to pick on someone about how rich or how poor they are, clothes are one obvious symbol but there are a lot of other obvious ways for them to do it,” argues Tony Volk, an associate professor Brock University researcher who has done extensive research on bullying.
Crime and violence in schools are also not prevented by school uniforms. Although proponents contend that school uniforms help to identify outside intruders, they are not a violence prevention measure. In 2008, the Consortium to Prevent School Violence reasoned: “There is insufficient scientific evidence to endorse implementing school uniform programs as a school violence prevention strategy” (Teaching Tolerance, 2014).