Research on School Uniforms
A. Reasons Schools Adopt School Uniforms
Reasons for adopting school uniform policies are many and vary from district to district.
In reviewing current school uniform policies, reasons for adoption can be characterized into three categories: to enhance the learning environment of schools, to ensure and promote school safety, and to improve student discipline. Many of the reasons why schools and districts implement uniform policies can be listed in more than one of the general categories.
Reasons for school uniform policy adoption are listed below:
a. Enhance the Learning Environment of Schools
- Improved focus on school work.
- Improvement in student's self-image/self-esteem
- Reduce the difference between" haves" and "have-nots"
- To foster school climate
b. Promote School Safety
- Reduction in school crime
- Reduction in clothing related crime
- To combat gang identification
- Removes peer-related pressure on clothing
c. Improve Student Discipline
- Identifiability of students
- increase student's sense of membership in school
- Removes peer-related pressure on clothing
B. What do parents and teachers say about school uniforms?
In research examining parental response to school uniforms, researchers found tremendous positive support for school uniforms. When surveyed for their reactions to their children's' school uniform policy, parents responded with the following positive responses:
Uniforms:
- help to instill in students that clothes do not make the person,
- provide potential financial savings for families
- alleviate the child's concerns with designer clothes over academics
- eliminate the practice of students without designer clothes being ridiculed by classmates
- help to reduce the potential of children becoming involved in illicit acts to purchase designer clothing and athletic shoes
Teachers report that school uniforms:
- decrease disputes and fights related to clothing
- assist students in realizing that clothes do not make the person
- decrease student discipline problems