public school uniforms

Why can't we have this? Other city's in N.J. do.

vous

October 7, 2008 10:21 am · Link

North Korea and Cuba do as well.

John K

October 7, 2008 1:22 pm · Link

Bermuda too.

Calico696

October 7, 2008 1:35 pm · Link

Whats Bermudas? Plaid Shorts and a Polo Shirt?

With two kids in school it would be easier for me thats for sure. No fights about "i don't want to wear that" and no getting made fun of for having a "not cool outfit" on.

But on the other hand its public school so its a fine line to approach with regards to taken away protected freedoms.

3yearresident
October 7, 2008 1:38 pm · Link

What's the point? Besides discouraging individuality and being a violation of public school student rights, it also increases the cost of public schools for students and their families. That money could be better used on many more things, for instance updated textbooks.

aaa
October 7, 2008 3:08 pm · Link

I don't think uniforms should be required but maybe a little tweeking of the dress code.

Some schools limit the color of clothing like No black shirts with black pants.

No strips or pokadot shirts, all solid color with no logos other then the schools if appliciable.
All shirts must have a collar polo or button down.

I don't think it is a bad idea.

There are plenty of other outlets to be an individual or creative.

CJ
October 7, 2008 4:26 pm · Link

I went to private school and I absolutely loved having a uniform. I didn't have to worry about what to wear, I didn't have to worry about competing with my classmates or looking "uncool". We also found plenty of ways to showcase individuality. If clothes are the only way your kid expresses him or herself, then you've got bigger problems.

October 7, 2008 4:43 pm · Link

What is the point of stopping kids from wearing stripes or polka dots?

Is this seriously an issue?

aaa
October 7, 2008 5:35 pm · Link

Wow, that will really prepare them for the real world. As well as teach them about rights and freedom.

Pat Farmer

October 7, 2008 5:53 pm · Link

I beg to differ -- it does not increase costs. Both my sons went to uniformed schools until high school. I spent far more on clothes for public school boy than I did for private school boy.

I believe that individuality should come from within, from the personality -- not from the clothing. They can do that later.

Dolly

October 7, 2008 5:54 pm · Link

I lived in an ex-British colony where all the schools were uniformed. Whatever you think it does, it really doesn't.

October 7, 2008 6:10 pm · Link

I think the point here is you actually put them in private school. If I wanted my child to have uniforms I would put them in a school with uniforms. This is public school. IMHO I dont like the uniforms.

Christine

October 7, 2008 6:35 pm · Link

Everyone is worried about freedoms and rights. But when you go out and get a job most places have dress codes. Jobs like nursing, sales associate at a big box store, some gas stations, Fire fighters and Police officers, UPS, and so on require you to wear a uniform.

Places of employment are now firing people who smoke, date other people in the same office, are over weight and for using the internet while working. I don't think any rights or freedoms are being violated if they ask you to just dress appropriately.

Remember, Public school is a place to learn not a forum to rule the world.

CJ
October 7, 2008 7:43 pm · Link

I think the point here is that a law to banish polka dots and stripes is useless. Why bring it on? Is there a current problem you're noticing?

The school does a fairly good job of restricting offensive clothing. What else could you possibly care about?

aaa
October 7, 2008 10:59 pm · Link

aaa,
I was just replying to the original post. I don't have any school aged children yet but will in a few years.

vous, I am sure had a reason and like anything people are always curious to know what others think.

And as far as polka dots and stripes, the school I graduated from imposed that as one of the dress code well after I left. So far it has been 4 years and they student body and parents don't seem to mind it. There were a few opposing the changes. Given that it is one of the largest AAAA school districts in PA covering 9 municipalities, that was not at all a big number.

CJ
October 8, 2008 8:34 am · Link

"Whatever you think it does, it really doesn't."

GC, I think it it's cheaper, makes it easier to dress, reduces distraction, and blurs the line between the haves and have nots -- and it does.

Dolly

October 8, 2008 9:37 am · Link

Uniforms blurs the line between individuals. That alone makes it unappealing. Sorry I strongly believe in individualism and the strength that that fosters. Blurring line between us does not benefit anyone, except those who want to just view everyone as "the masses".

I would prefer the folks administering the schools spent time teaching our children, not dreaming up ways to "make them all the same".

Question Authority, especially the teachers. (Then again I was the kid who handed in corrections to the teacher on the errors in the honors geometry book.)

Agust

October 8, 2008 10:59 am · Link

Dolly -

I saw the have nots with frayed uniforms because the one single uniform is the entire set of clothes they own and was worn 24x7. I saw have nots with the choice between education and uniforms but no underwear or decent clothes with underwear. My parents got a long talking to about which tailor was better than another. On my first day everyone wanted to know all the details and the comparisons between thick materials and thin, and where they came from began.

Maybe from the perspective of someone who already is a "has" and the kids already have two sets of clothes it might be cheaper. But that's not true for the have nots. Easier might be the only thing that's true although the girls at school had a choice of three pastel colors and which one to wear on any given day seemed to be a popular topic. There were plenty of distractions, clothes related or not, with or without uniforms. And it would be quite wrong if anyone thought everyone didn't already know just exactly which were the haves and which were the have nots.

October 8, 2008 11:11 am · Link

Agust, why does individualism have to come from clothing? Why can't it come from ideas, performance, and character?

Dolly

October 8, 2008 11:11 am · Link

Just because some people won't mind doesn't mean it's okay, or even good rationale to suddenly instate. There doesn't seem to be a history of issue with this, so why's it being brought on?

aaa
October 8, 2008 1:45 pm · Link

Why can't we talk about it aaa? I'm just writing about my experience and why I think it's a good thing. And if the majority of the people thought it was a good thing why not investigate instating it?

Dolly

October 8, 2008 1:47 pm · Link

we should ask the children what they think about wearing uniforms. Because they have to wear it not us.

cher22

October 8, 2008 1:54 pm · Link

Individualism does not need to come from clothes, or hair, or ideas, or speech, or gender, or economics, or political affiliation, or anything but at the same time it can come from any or all of them. Each person decides what is important to them at any time. Allowing kids to decide small details about their life is important, establishing rules and boundaries is just as important. Part of what makes us all individuals is that different things are important to different people.

If the majority of people think this is was good idea, that means you are imposing your will on a minority. Outlawing hats seems harmeless, until the kid with a yarmulka or turban or ball cap to hide the chemo gets isolated because of zero tolerance.

Agust

October 8, 2008 4:03 pm · Link

I'm all for discussion. I just haven't seen any valid points for why we should change something which doesn't seem to be a problem, and will have a negative impact to some students and parents.

As far as costs go, you have to buy your kids clothes anyway. These clothes can be worn at school, but your son or daughter will also wear these in their free time. I'm also going to make an assumption (dangerous, I know), that most of the clothing you buy for you kids to wear is appropriate to wear in school (not revealing or offensive).

There is definitely extra pressure on parents to buy their children all the clothing they want, and so they can keep up with the trends, but there's something to be said about self-discipline and teaching your kids that there are indeed more values to the person than the shirt they're wearing. I refuse to recognize personal clothing as an extra cost, because these clothes are worn regardless of being in school or not. On the other hand, school uniforms are definitely an extra cost that all families must buy, and I would also make the assumption here that no child is going to want to wear their school uniform outside of school.

And to simplify that and respond to you, Dolly, Just because you spent more on clothes for your public school son does not mean that you had to. Your son who attended private school didn't just own his school uniforms and wear them all the time.

There are anecdotes both ways here where some preferred them in high school, and some didn't, so I don't think that's a valid argument either way. These are just opinions (which is great to see from both sides).

The fact that your employers in the future will more than likely require you to wear a uniform or adhere to a dress code is true, but being a student is not being an employee. Kids should have a place to express themselves so they can learn the responsibilities which come with how you present yourself.

I'm sure vous has a reason for it, but that doesn't mean anything until she has an argument for it.

I also don't see a majority here in favor. There are those in favor and those that oppose.

If you care that much, why not try and instate optional school uniforms? It's been done. If you really feel like all the benefits will not bother your children, go for it. And it's optional, so it won't affect those who don't like the idea.

Apologies for a long response!

aaa
October 8, 2008 4:06 pm · Link

I've worn many uniforms and had no problems wearing them. We do not need the public school telling our children what to wear. Lets have a little more say in our lives and have government stay as far from our clothes as possible.

John K

October 8, 2008 4:19 pm · Link

I'm with Dolly---LOVE the uniforms!!! Its so nice, especially with girls! No more "I can't find anything to wear!"

My younger kids go to Tranquility Adventist School (uniforms are mandatory), the 15 year old goes to HHS. I WISH she had uniforms! I'm tired of the whining...

SusieQ

October 8, 2008 7:39 pm · Link

SusieQ even though I had\have boys\men which I gotta believe is a cake walk compared to girls picking out outfits. It was just no sweat in the AM, shopping, etc.

Plus it showed school pride and the kids liked that.

Dolly

October 8, 2008 7:51 pm · Link

You people that are in favor of uniforms in public schools amaze me. It's easier? Hey, how about government approved meals each night? Then you will not have to fret over dinner. How about government provided housing? (oops, we're kind of there already, or will be soon). How about government provided health care? (oh no, we're headed there too).

Anyway, good luck with your life, but people fought hard (died) for these freedoms that you folks are all to willing to give away.

Pat Farmer
October 8, 2008 8:02 pm · Link

Wow, I'm surprised so many people are adamantly against it. I loved my school uniform. I wish I had a uniform at work.

Pat Farmer, you're being just a tad bit dramatic, dontcha think? No one fought hard and died so kids could wear jeans and t-shirts to school. C'mon now.

October 9, 2008 8:38 am · Link

Pat Farmer,

The soldiers who fought for our freedom wore uniforms. Do you know any vets who are not proud of their uniforms?

And the FDA has had it's hand in approving our meals for some time now.

Dolly

October 9, 2008 12:36 pm · Link

Dolly - FDA's Mission Statement
The FDA is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation's food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. The FDA is also responsible for advancing the public health by helping to speed innovations that make medicines and foods more effective, safer, and more affordable; and helping the public get the accurate, science-based information they need to use medicines and foods to improve their health.

While I understand you are trying to make a point to Pat Farmer I don't believe the FDA is telling me what to make for dinner tonight.

Jan
October 9, 2008 1:40 pm · Link

I had to wear a uniform from grades 5-12, heres the break down, from my personal experience, it was super easy, and allowed me to roll out of bed 10 mins before leaving for school with wet hair which I really really liked in highschool, but it did not seperate the haves from the have nots (its pretty obvious when a kid has a hand me down uniform, or just one set with the same stain every day, etc etc etc) and accessories become the replacement for clothes, who has a nice back pack, shoes, etc, it didn't stifle creativity really, but at the end of the day, uniforms for public school kids doesn't make too much sense. It's not the job of the public school system to dictate how your kids dress, it's yours. IMHO.