by Patricia Rockwell

Created on: January 26, 2009   Last Updated: September 15, 2011

I taught in a high school for four years and I have two children who went through the public school system, so I have extensive experience with the arguments for (and against) public school students wearing uniforms. Although there are some solid reasons for requiring students in public schools to wear uniforms (such as decreased clothing costs, uniformity, improved discipline), I believe that in the long run, we better serve our young people by allowing them a reasonable amount of freedom of expression in their dress.

Public school students should not be forced to wear uniforms for three reasons: 1.) it stifles creativity, 2.) it is undemocratic, and 3.) the benefits of uniforms can be acquired in other, less drastic ways. Let's consider each reason.

First, wearing uniforms stifles creativity. Although parents don't really care about this reason, students (at least high school students) claim this is their primary reason for not wanting to wear uniforms. As students progress through the school system, teachers find it harder and harder to stimulate creativity in students. That doesn't mean that students aren't creative. They are simply channeling their creativity in other directions - such as their wardrobe. High schoolers are incredibly creative in combining unusual combinations of items of clothing. Most unique hairdos start in high school. High school is where most fads - particularly clothing fads - start. If we force students to wear uniforms we take away from them one of their favorite creative outlets. Oh, you might argue, that if forced to wear a plain white shirt and dark trousers, teens might actually divert some of that creative energy into their school work. It's unlikely. I think we need to keep alive the one bright spot of creativity that adolescents enjoy and let them dress themselves in ways that show their creative spirit.

Second, forcing students to wear uniforms in public schools is undemocratic. This is America, after all. We are a democracy. Students lose a significant amount of freedom while they are in school. They must be at a certain place, at a certain time, doing a certain thing (sort of like having a job). Must we take away from them their right to wear what they want too? Do their parents lose their right to wear what they want at their jobs? They don't, unless, of course, they are in the military or a nurse or a waiter or a host of other uniform-wearing jobs. Freedom of expression is promised to Americans in their Constitution.

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