Dress code blues

School uniforms sacrifice individuality for the sake of conformity

Nu Magazine - April 16, 2009

One of the bigger debates in schools today is the topic of uniforms, and whether or not they should be implemented.

Imagine a meeting in which parents were gathered to formulate a decision on uniforms. Without a doubt, many parents would come forth with studies and “proof” on why uniforms should be required.

They’d say it is cost-efficient, will create a healthy environment for children to learn, will reduce competition over styles and brand-names, and keep kids from forming cliques based on superficial clothing choices.

When given information like that, saying no to uniforms seems trivial and utterly pointless. Why not forfeit their children’s clearly poisonous clothing in exchange for an easier solution?

What if I told you that logic is wrong?

Most people believe uniforms are less costly, and in a time of a recession, everyone is looking to cut back.

In truth, uniforms can cost just as much, if not more, than regular clothing. When dealing with uniforms, variety is key to help maintain a child’s positive attitude about wearing clothing they cannot choose.

Then you need to remember that the child in question will not be wearing a uniform every day, which means that another set of regular clothing will also need to be purchased.

Now, some people will say that the logo-branded clothing of their children cost more than uniforms, but it is important to remind them they are forgetting a very valuable point.

Isn’t the purpose of uniforms to show logos are not vital, and create a sense of equality?

Another idea to keep in mind is that, despite popular belief, uniforms will not stop cliques from forming.

No matter what a child wears, whether uniforms or regular clothing, other children will find ways to pass judgment and make distinctions between their classmates.

I’m not going to deny that children aren’t judging each other based on appearances, because I would be lying. It is just some things that cannot be controlled, and trying to harness the ways in which kids can hurt each other is futile, chaotic, and practically impossible.

Finally, uniforms create a sheltered and almost robotic state of mind. Uniforms produce an idea where the only way to get along peacefully is to conform to the standards of everyone else.

How can a child grow and be taught to survive in the real world when they learn from the start that uniformity is needed to keep the peace, and that being the same is better than being an individual?

It is important that children learn how to deal with something when it is different; saying when something is different, we should make it all the same, is not a way to teach that.

We should be embracing individuality, not trying to cover it up.

I think it’s easy to see everything is not what it may seem. If you actually read into what uniforms are supposed to do and what they have actually accomplished, chances are they probably didn’t improve anything at all.

Forcing everyone to wear the same clothing will not make the problems disappear, it will just temporarily camouflage them through the means of polos, pleated skirts, khakis, and knee-highs.

Renee Klahr, 15, attends Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School and is a member of Nu’s teen board.

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