School uniforms have been a hot topic for years, as several schools use them, while several only enforce a dress code. There are many different pros and cons of having a school uniform that many teachers, parents, and students can speak to.

The pros of school uniforms are often popular when specific instances of inappropriate student expression arise. A benefit of school uniforms is that they promote better discipline in the school setting. They also help students resist peer pressure to buy trendy clothes. This is a big one, seeing how much peer pressure already can affect children and teens and their mental health. If everyone has to wear a uniform, then it takes the need to dress up and feel popular based on outfits in school away. They also increase school pride and unifies everyone and can help with identifying intruders, who would most likely not be wearing the uniform.

However, many people are also very against school uniforms for several reasons. The most prominent case made on this side is that it violates a students’ right to freedom of expression. Students want to be able to express their styles and personalities through their clothing at school, and are restricted from doing so if they have to wear uniforms. Also, since many schools do not require them, it makes students at schools feel left out from other students’ able to wear what they would like to at neighboring schools. Uniforms can also be a financial burden for many families as they are required at some schools. And when they are purchased, students obviously need multiple sets because they can’t wear the same shirt every single day for an entire school year. Kids are also always growing, which makes reusing uniforms from year to year nearly impossible for most. Children are also rowdy and often do not like to be told what to do, which can make enforcing the dress code an issue that might not be worth all the trouble.

Personally, my public school experience did not require a uniform, and I am glad. I can not imagine being restricted to the same few outfit choices for every single day that I already had to get up early and go to school. Having the freedom to choose my clothes and out on a different outfit every day gave me the ability to spice things up for myself and show off a little on days I felt like dressing up more. I did not feel overly pressured though to wear certain clothes that were more “trendy.” If there was a day I was feeling particularly lazy, then I would find no shame in just wearing sweatpants (which students in schools with uniforms can do significantly less anyway). I’m glad I had these opportunities and hope more and more kids attending public schools will be freed from their restrictions on this.