Uniforms in public schools- yay or nay?

CleoKitty

The majority of schools in the biggest city close to me now require students to wear "uniforms." (I say "uniforms" because it's really just khaki pants and any solid colored polo shirt.) There are very few schools left without this dress code/uniform policy.

That particular practice hasn't made its way to our town yet, but at this rate I imagine it'll happen eventually. 

Do the public schools in your area have a similar dress requirement? Would you be pleased if this was the policy in your child's school? In general what are your thoughts on school uniforms? 

Emjay221

The county I moved from had mandatory uniforms, no opt outs.  People complained at first but now it's second nature.  

The county I live in now has uniforms, but allows opt outs.  Most kids opt out.  

It's a crock when they advocates say it cuts down on class discrimination and all of that.  The only thing I saw was it's easier to get ready because everything matches.  

CleoKitty

Emjay221:

The county I moved from had mandatory uniforms, no opt outs.  People complained at first but now it's second nature.  

The county I live in now has uniforms, but allows opt outs.  Most kids opt out.  

It's a crock when they advocates say it cuts down on class discrimination and all of that.  The only thing I saw was it's easier to get ready because everything matches.  

I don't get it- what's the point of having a uniform at all if they're going to make it optional? 

And yes, I totally agree with your last point too. 

Mominator

Love it! I was actually against it when my DS started Kindergarten but now that he is going into High School, I am a little bummed that the policy will be much less strict. In Primary and Middle School it was tan/black bottom and green/white collared shirt. In High School, it can be any color collared shirt and any color pants. I am going to miss the ease of uniforms.

DevonPow

They don;t do it here, but I would be totally for it. I don't look at it as much as an "equalizer" as much as a respect for school. I am kind of old school in that way - I wore uniforms, we stood when the teachers entered the classroom, we would NEVER call a teacher by their first name, etc. I like that mentality, especially in high school.

#6

Im for them.  Unfortunately the schools around us dont do them.    I feel it helps equal the kids out from all the name brand vs non name brand things.  That and you dont have to worry about always hounding kids to abide by the dress code and not wear this, not wear that, shorts have to be a certain length, no low cut shirts, no tshirts that have obscene wording/pictures etc.

Plus I feel its easier to get kids dressed, dont have to buy "back to school clothes" etc.  Just the basic uniform and you are done.  

Now I really wish we lived in an area that schools had uniforms.    L starts K and Im in the process of getting all of his school clothes.  I worry when my kids get older that they wont "fit in" because we wont be buying all the popular name brands that kids care so much about.  I know that its really not important but lets face it...kids do pay attention to it and count you less cool if you dont wear them.  With uniforms everyone wears the same thing.  

littlemermaid

The public schools in my area do not have them.  But my kids attend a parochial school and they have uniforms.  I love it because it is soooo much cheaper to buy uniforms than it would be to buy enough outfits to wear to school for a week.

Marce921

Honestly, I don't really care either way but I'm sending DS to a private Lutheran school that doesn't have uniforms. I understand why they're there, but I know as a kid I liked being able to wear what I wanted.

eclaires

Love uniforms. 

I wore uniforms because I went to parochial schools and it was nice.  I don't know that it's a great equalizer or anything, but it's easy and it looks nice most of the time.

I actually missed my uniforms when I went to college.  Picking out stuff to wear every day suuuuuuuuuucked.  In high school, we had dress up days and jeans days, which I loved because it was fun to wear something different, but I really did like the ease of uniforms every day.

kittycarr

I like the idea of school uniforms.

luckyluvr

I wish the high school I teach at would implement uniforms. Every year when the weather's warm, it seems like daily we send girl after girl home for too much cleavage or too short skirts. Then there are the boys with their saggy pants and boxers. It would just cut down on distractions and make it less of a skin/fashion show.

Zenya

We had a uniform and I hated it. As a parent though I'm all for it.

I'll PIP my uniform so you get the hate.  Since I left they now allow pants instead. 

(not my year)

shopgirl78

Our district does not have them however a nearby one does (in some of the elementary schools).  

There are some good points to instituting uniforms however I am good either way...

Baby4OT

I wish the public schools here would move to uniforms. I wore them growing up (Catholic school) and it was SO easy. I loved it. One of the things I dread about DDs getting older in school is the thought of clothing costs, trends, etc. Uniforms help alleviate all that stress for parents and kids.