Nope- dont like the 'hive syndrome'. I want my kids to be able to decide what they want to wear-not look AND think like everyone else.
Conformity stinks IMHO
<font size=""1""><font color="#"black"">Liberalism is not an affilation its a curable disease. </font></font><br /><br><font color="#"gray"">~Wisdom of Shawnshuefus</font><br /><br><font color="#"blue""><font size=""1"">The punishment which the wise suffer, who refuse to take part in government, is...
I actually send my children to private school because they have uniforms. Where we live the public schools don't have uniforms and I think they are wonderful.
I don't think that in school, where children should focus on learning, that they need to "express" themselves with clothing choices. When all the children wear the same thing the children may actually be competing with each other on a more intellectual level instead of on a status level. They can "express" themselves on what knowledge they are actually learning.
Additionally I've found it's actually cheaper and easier with the uniforms than finding something different and coordinating everyday so my children look presentable. It's easier for my children as well. I keep their school uniforms in a separate drawer and they dress themselves without any difficulty and I know they'll be "appropriately" dressed!!
Uniforms make life easier for admin too - they no longer have to worry about enforcing the dress code....and after all, who decides whatis too revealing or otherwise inappropriate?
Both parents and kids revolt when someone says go home and change. With uniforms, thats one less headache to worry about.
To solve some of the problem of cost for those who can't afford it, we have a "Uniform Closet" at our school for people to donate to and get from for the following yr. It is there all yr long for anyone who needs it.
Our elementary is slit into Primary K-3 & Intermediate 4-6. Primary does not require uniforms but Intermediate does. There are strict color requirements but not brand specific. We're in SoCal, so, just to give you an idea because there's so much diversity out here, this is a requirement in many low income neighborhoods. But, the schools my children are in are not low income. It was a parental decision from what I've been told that the uniforms would be required. However, parents may sign a form and they would not be required to send their children to school in uniform. So, it is "voluntary." I believe however, 99% of the students wear uniforms. And, for the most part, the parents are in favor of the uniforms.
Now, my daughter will be going to Jr. High and it is a "charter school." Again, a strict uniform requirement - specific brand, styles & colors. Because it is a charter school, the school can enforce the uniform requirements. Parents who do not want their children wearing uniforms, will have to send them somewhere else. I've heard nothing but good things about this school and look forward to the education my children will benefit from.
Personally, I like the uniforms. Some days, my kids just don't know how to dress themselves & I don't have to worry about that with the uniforms.