[12 Sep 2004|10:08pm] Does making school uniforms mandatory in public schools increase the school reputation, and better the atomosphere-or do they? Although uniforms are commonly found in private schools mainly, many public schools across the nation are accepting this Polic. But are students happy? Do they feel any safer or is the school getting any better? Schools may think that its a better way for students to come together as one-but is it really? Students are people with real feelings and decession to make on their own, future adults, and soon to be leaders of the world. Are schools any safer with uniform policies? Do students actually perform better or take more pride in their school? Many people state that uniforms increase safety and will cut back on crime in the places where over whemeling crime is found,but thereis little data to suggest that uniforms actually decrease school violence. So how can we say that school violence will decrease when in fact we have little edivence to prove this theory. Violence is something that starts with one person, not what he or she is wearing. Violence is something that is taught by parents, friends, and other family members. The clothing on a person is just the clothing but the person inside is a whole different story. As they say you cant judge a book by its cover. Academic performance is another area where uniforms tend to get credit where there should be no credit given. Only in a few classes have schools that have adopted uniforms have seen improvement on test scores."However, many sociologists have looked at the effect of uniforms on students in a 1998 study and found that uniforms actually had a negative effect on academic achievement. Many sociologists also found that students wearing uniforms in both private and public schools,that uniforms didn't do much to increase school pride," rescearch and stated by Shane Young. Do uniforms improve the social setting of schools by taking attention away from designer clothing and fashion? Your years as a teenager is a course of time when many people feel awkward and the way that you dress could make your break your high school career. On the other hand,young people are also trying to establish their identity and clothing can be a great way to take risks.Clothing is a way that many people express themself, some people go for certain looks or styles,while others just wear what they like or expresses how they feel.One thing that does not often get mentioned by adults and experts is the fact that uniforms are now being made by huge clothing manufacturers like DKNY, Esprit, and Bugle Boy. "The NPD Group, a market research company in New York, estimated that parents spent $900 million on uniforms for elementary school children in 1998. That comes out to about 7 percent of the total amount spent on children's clothing and this number has mostly likely risen since then with the total number of school adopting school uniformpolicies," was what was reported by David Jenson.As teens become older, they begin to recognize more divisions in society and start choosing who it is they want to be associated with based on some personal characteristic or interest.Even when uniforms are mandatory, students are going to find another way to show a way to express themsleves such as: epense shoes,and Patches or pins on jackets or backpacks. Children who are being properly raised have very little control in their lives as it is. Their parents control what they can do and when they can do it. The one thing they control is their freedom of expression. Students can express themselves in their style and parents will even censor this to some degree.In order to prepare our children for the real world, which is what education is all about, they need to be exposed to people from all walks of life with differing ideas and opinions. Teenagers need to develop minds of their own.Schools already have sufficient dress codes prohibiting inappropriate clothing although many teachers do not enforce them adequately. This is reminiscent of the "zero tolerance" policy, another initiative designed to make schools safer. Policies only work if they are enforced. It is also necessary to have every parent on board, but often this is not the case.Raising a well-behaved, socially and morally responsible child begins at home and it is hard work. Education is part of a parent's job.Parenting should not be part of the educator's job. Uniforms in schools arent always the answer for schools who have low in test scores. You have the consider the way it will affect students and their way of life. Not only do you affect them but you can have a negative affect on their future. Not everything good for adults is good for teenagers or even childern. Teenagers are people just like everyone else, we think, we live and we all have our own lives to live. By trying to control students freedom of expression your only show them how to judge people by the what there wearing and not who they. If you feel as strong opinion on this subject please do not be afraid to express your opinion and let someone know. There are many ways for you to get your opinion heard, the school board meets on many occasions you can go there and tell them how you feel. Theres always writing letters to the prinical of your son and daughter school.Remember your opinion as well as other parents does matter, be heard. Drop a Tear

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