Opinions expressed in the Op/Ed section of The Knight Crier are not necessarily reflective of the views of the entire staff of the KC.

Lawyers, doctors, nurses, and scientists… a few of the world’s most respected and educated career fields and they all usually wear some type of uniform. 

There is a reason for that, and I believe that uniforms should be instituted in public schools for a host of reasons; primarily because it can prevent bullying, increase focus/energy in school, and reduce stress.

Preventing bullying

This may sound like a “lame” reason per se, but it is one of the more paramount reasons uniforms should be implemented in public schools, especially at the elementary level. Young kids are not exactly angels when it comes to respecting peers and their wardrobe. 

Kids are often ridiculed if they aren’t wearing name-brand clothing or they tend to wear the same type of clothing repetitively, and being bullied at such a young age has an effect on their development and self-esteem. Aspiring students are bullied daily possibly because their families’ socioeconomic status does not enable them to wear the newest pair of Jordans or that new Lululemon jacket. 

However, if all kids wore the same uniform it would eliminate the possibility of bullying a student based on their choice or selection of clothing.

Increased focus/energy in school

If and when students wear school uniforms, it comes with a higher sense of urgency. Imagine sitting in a classroom with students who are all dressed properly, in buttoned-up shirts and ties- it gives the feeling that students are in an environment of higher significance. 

I believe that a student dressed in pajamas and flip-flops would not be nearly as academically motivated as a student dressed in a tie and a crewneck and that is because of the latter student’s heightened sense of the importance of their academic environment. School uniforms would shift students’ focus and energy from fashion and their appearance, and this would encourage students to allocate more of their energy to their studies. 

Reduced stress

As mentioned earlier with reduced bullying and increased focus on academic pursuits, school uniforms also give rise to reduced stress in students’ lives.

The fear of being bullied or living up to the expectations of peers is an extremely significant source of stress for adolescents, but again with a uniform, this stress is immediately eliminated.

Imagine first thing in the morning a student goes to plan their outfit, that stress that comes from the fears or anxieties synonymous with being bullied would inhibit students from an efficient morning routine, but uniforms would eliminate that difficult decision-making and give rise to a quicker morning routine. This again would give students more energy to be allocated toward their studies. 

Addressing the Argument Against School Uniforms

Possibly the biggest argument against school uniforms is that they limit students’ individuality. A student’s choice of clothing is everyone’s unique way of self-expression, and making students wear the same thing limits that.

But countering that, the benefits mentioned above outweigh this detriment. Students should be able to express themselves through their actions and character, and the extracurricular activities they partake in, not some material clothing. 

The logic behind this argument against school uniforms is sound, however, school uniforms encourage students to perform better in school as well as prevent bullying and reduce stress. These benefits all support the argument that public school uniforms would serve to enhance the educational experience of students, which is what should matter most.