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School officials argue that uniforms are a good idea, but in many cases they cite the wrong reasons. They claim increased violence and gangs, and a lack of discipline and student safety have created the need for school uniforms.
Required uniforms should not be a knee-jerk reaction to the recent school shootings across the nation. Uniforms alone will not eliminate violence. Kids need discipline in the form of definite boundaries and set penalties for crossing them. Good decision making skills aren't implied by a stringent dress code, but rather are taught by example and informed discussion.
As for gangs, groups of like-minded individuals will exist with or without a required school uniform. They will find alternative ways to "mark" themselves as members other than the colors or clothes they wear. Student safety from intruders in the schools will not necessarily be increased just by requiring a uniform. Outsiders will acquire the expected dress if they want to get in bad enough. Photo ID cards are a more practical solution to intruders.
Students claim their freedom of expression is squelched by required uniforms. They don't (and probably won't until they give uniforms a try) realize that there are other more rewarding forms of self-expression that will automatically surface once the superficial focus is taken away from what they are wearing. Some parents opposed to uniforms fear that conformity through uniforms will turn their children into mindless marching communists without individuality. Humans naturally conform to known norms, and instead of allowing the advertisements of Tommy Hilfiger and Abercrombie & Fitch to set these norms, parents and school administrators should take this opportunity to positively influence and simplify one aspect in their students' lives.
Uniforms act as a leveler, allowing all students from widely varying backgrounds to walk on common ground. Also, wearing a uniform that represents the entire student body instills a sense of belonging and boosts self-esteem. Most important, uniforms redirect the focus on what students wear to who they are.
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--Cataklysm--
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