One thing always nags at me about the arguement that uniforms reduce class distinction. I agree that kids will distinguish the have's from the have not's anyway, but more importantly, to me, why do we feel we have to make everything "even" for the kids? I can see the merits of this to some extent, but it seems to me that we're trying to teach our kids to thrive in the real world. The real world has class distinction.
I have tried to teach my kids to be thankful for what we have and not to expect everything to be even. Our country's history is full of innovators who looked at what they didn't have and used that as motivation to do some great things.
I can't help but think that the kids who go through school not noticing class distinction have a real shock awaiting them upon graduation. I realize that are a lot of real world lessons that kids don't need to learn too early, but class distinction is pretty fundamental to life everywhere.
Given this "soap box" statement, you'll be surprised to hear that I'm on the fence about school uniforms. The ease and simplicity alone provides a good arguement for them. Our school district has implemented such a strict dress code, we're practically half way there now.
[ 08-16-2005, 07:39 AM: Message edited by: AJ Flanagan ]
School uniforms can only help those who are purchasing clothes to begin with. Many low income or immigrant families are living off handouts. Requiring them to purchase uniforms will only add to an already distressing issue. If districts are willing to offer uniforms on a sliding scale, like books or lunch, it might be helpful. So many of our families come and go, by the time they get settled, they are moving on. I know every school is different and uniforms can put the children on an equal level, but I know from personal experience, they will always find something else to one up each other on. I think what works for one district or even school will not always work for another, otherwise all schools would be in uniforms already.
The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating-in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life. --Anne Morris
Having School uniforms actually SAVES Families money. It especially helps the economically challenged families. Uniforms are sturdy and the costs are well below what it cost to cloth kids today in "cool" clothes. The public schools in my area have standard uniforms. Khaki pants/ red polo style shirts for this school, khaki pants and geen polo style shirts for that school, and so on. They do not mandate where you have to buy the clothes, and most Walmarts now carry uniform style clothes. I send my kids to private (Catholic) School. I am able to afford to do this BECAUSE of our uniforms. I save so much money NOT having to buy them "normal" clothes. I bought my daughter 3 new plaid jumpers the first year at $25 each ( what a fool i was) and about 8 white shirts from Wallmart at $7.00 each. I will never buy new again. Our school holds a "Used uniform sale" twice a year. If you are not passing down uniforms to younger siblings or friends, you can donate them to the sale and purchase uniforms for cents on the dollar. All I do is buy a couple of new white shirts and a couple of new white turtlenecks each year. My kids just wear inexpensive play clothes and every once in a while get new Church clothes. I could not afford to cloth my kids in today's styles and prices to wear to a non-uniform public school.
Our middle school just implemented a standardized dress code and it is different then the "uniform" in that the students have a little leeway in what they wear. We have limited the color of bottoms and tops must have a color and solid in color. This gives parents a chance to work within the boundaries and still be able to afford the clothes. We also have a lending closet the athe PTO has purchased an amount of clothing and hope that at the end of the year we will get donations of other peoples outgrown uniforms etc. If you would like to know more please email me. I can give you a website that has good but inexpensive clothing.
Our PTO set up a Uniform Closet. We will purchase 1 uniform per student per year upon request from a parent or teacher. We also request that people donate the uniforms that their children have outgrown and use those as well. Because we agreed to purchase the uniforms exclusively from a small local store, they also donate a good number of uniforms to our school each year.
Other schools that I know of collect the uniforms that students have outgrown and sell them very cheaply at a rummage sale type event.
