by Sophie May

Created on: March 26, 2008

I'm absolutely for public school children wearing uniforms. I'm sure that any uniform chosen would certainly fit more appropriately and reveal a lot less than some of the clothing items I see being worn by children to school. I stop at crossing guard's corners every morning on my way to work and still can't believe what I see. I'm not talking about just high school aged students; I mean elementary and middle school as well. There are very few students that I see who are dressed in a manner that would suggest they were going to school! They might just as well be out playing around.

What kind of a message does this give to our children? If they are allowed to dress this way to attend school when is the right time to teach them that proper appearance and dress will play a very big part in their search for employment when the time comes. Surely they have to be taught that first impressions are vital when trying to land a good paying job. I don't care how good the child's grades may have been without the additional guidance in the value of appearances, they'll be left at the end of the line.

Sure, suits and ties today may not be required as much as they were years ago. However, clean, neat and appropriateness will never go out of style. I guess tight-fitting jeans, low-cut tops (or high cut for navel exposure) might work in getting a job in the field of entertainment or "service work" so to speak but, it's not going to get you into the corporate office. Our children need to be taught these values now.

There's another side to the "uniform concept" that I think is equally important. Uniforms would place all the students on the same level. Peer pressure has become more and more concerning at even the earliest ages - you know, "keeping up with the Jones's." How many parents must have to struggle to try to keep their children in the fashionable, designer-type clothes so their kids wouldn't feel that they didn't fit in? Less competition with how they look just might free up some extra energy to be exerted on acadmemics; where it really needs to be placed. Also, mom and dad might find it a little easier to put money away for higher education costs instead of having to worrying about coming up with the money for expensive clothing that will make no difference in their child's ultimate achievements in life.

If everyone is "in uniform" they are "uniform" and no one can be judged on their exterior being. They would all be equal in at least that respect.

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