Negative Impact Of School Uniforms On Students Behavior And Self-Esteem

Clothing is an essential need to our way of life. The types of clothes you wear and how you wear them is an aspect that defines your character and a way of expressing yourself. Mandating uniforms in school is not a direction that we should go in. As many students would not be able to show expressions of their character through their clothing. School uniforms would only hinder Individuality among students and promote conformity. Furthermore, more expenses would be put upon students and their families. As they would have to buy uniforms instead of wearing clothes that they already have.

School uniforms, put an unnecessary cost for the family of the student. Having a friend that went to a school which implemented uniforms into their policy. Every year his family had to pay almost an extra 250 dollars for his uniform. Which is a great expense considering their parents already pay taxes and still need to buy regular clothing when they are not in school. It would be much more cost efficient if students are allowed to wear the clothing that they already have. Not all Families could comply with the need of school uniforms. As many schools have students with families of different economic backgrounds. Students whose families have a particularly low-income could face troubles paying for uniforms. Which can in turn deter them from sending their children to school. If students are able to come to school dressed in casual everyday clothing, then it would cut back on costs for the family. And more families with lower Incomes can admit their students into schools easier.

Expressing yourself is important as it is a way to improve your self-esteem. Having school uniforms can make it difficult for people to express themselves. As some people aren’t as extroverted as others when it comes to showing off their character and demeanor. Me being one of those people during high school. In terms of expressing myself I was never an outgoing person. I was always quite reserved and kept to myself during social gatherings. But I did like wear different types of clothing and styles as it showed off my character and what types of interests I had; And was a way of expressing myself in turn of not being an extroverted person. If school uniforms were a mandatory rule when I was in high school it would have prevented me from having a way to express myself. Which is a bad thing in its own right. As a person you want to take pride in what you wear and wear something that shows what your interests and what you are passionate about. School uniforms can make it more difficult for students who lack self-esteem; As you are taking away one of their rights of expressing themselves. Which can lead to a decrease in school work performance and their overall self-esteem.

Looking back on my last paragraph on how uniforms prevents self-expression, this ties into students’ Individuality. Our individuality is what makes us unique from one another. Requiring school uniforms does not only hinder our uniqueness from our peers, it promotes a sense of conformity over individuality. Uniforms point to one broad picture of a person and does not let them show their creativity. Such as a guy wearing a button down shirt with a tie or a girl wearing a blouse with a skirt. They are both a one-sided view on how you should dress and express yourself. As a uniform dictates how everyone should look. Which leads to students comply with social standards instead of showing their diverse creativity and imagination. Having students wear the same uniforms deters the diversity among schools. As they can’t express their cultural background because they are required to wear the same outfits and look the same as everyone else. If a student has trouble expressing their culture and their creativity this only makes it more difficult to form a sense of identity. And if you don’t know how you identify yourself or who you identify yourself with it makes it hard to have a form of individuality which in turn aligns you more within conformity.

Instead of restricting students with school uniforms, other measures can be taken. Such as reducing the amount taxpayers have to pay in school taxes. Which can lead to more families saving money and having a better time keeping their kids in school. And having more cultural and social events and activities. Will help enable students to make an identity for themselves and expand on their own individuality and interests. Having a more lenient dress code instead of school uniforms can let students wear what they like and lets them show their uniqueness and character. While still maintaining an appropriate school standard. School uniforms do not have to be one solution to a multitude of problems. Instead it will be best to take each problem at hand and act upon the best solution for each underlying cause.