There has been much debate over the years regarding whether primary and secondary schools should reintroduce mandatory school uniform policies. Mandatory uniform policy's measure and emphasize the benefits of students on specific behavioural and academic outcomes. Although, the arguments against the issue are just as strong as those for the issue.
Some parents and students alike will argue that forcing students to conform to mandatory uniforms will curb young people’s creativity, personal style and freedom of expression through clothes. Some students desire to express themselves in this way to show their individuality or rebellion. It can be a good indicator for parents to see who their child is associating with as well as the types of activities they are involved in. ‘Certain cliques in Canadian schools such as preps, grunge, skaters, jockeys or athletes each have unique dressing styles and activities that they participate in. A school uniform policy could take away these important indicators from parents (Robichaud)’.
I agree that children should have the ability to express themselves through clothing, but that during school hours, they should have to wearing uniforms. Having a dress code takes the emphasis off fashion, and allows children to focus on learning rather than chatting about who is wearing what, or feeling pressured and ridiculed because of what they are not wearing. ‘There is a big issue with children in Canada being pressured to wear brand name clothing, introducing uniforms would place less importance on status, and take stress off kids from lower income families (Robichaud).’
If wearing uniforms decreased the amount of teasing, out casting and peer pressure, then why not wear one for the allotted school hours? Children are then able to wear whatever they want in their free time, which is quite a lot considering they are only in school approximately 30 hours per week. After school hours is the time they will be able to express themselves...