I agree that school is for education, not fashion. But I also think having a freer expression of self definitely prepares one for the real world and helps to create opportunities for success in many different arenas. Unfortunately, many people get the false impression that your clothing is one of the best ways to do that. In school the idea is usually not to truly express your individuality through your attire but rather to fit in. If this were not the case then the clothing stores who mass produce the same items over and over and over again would not be making such huge profits.

When students are not focused on clothing they can learn to better express and articulate themselves through writing, art, academic endeavours and that is the type of individuality that will better ensure future success.

Speaking as a new teacher, I have to say that school is first and foremost a place for learning; any kind of social education is secondary. That is why I am personally for school uniforms. The amount of time educators and administrators spend routing out and disciplining kids with dress code infractions takes so much away from what they are supposed to be learning. Individual expression can be obtained outside of school during their own time. Furthermore, as someone else has already pointed out, the “real world” enforces uniforms in a variety of occupations. Even “professional attire” could be considered a uniform, so indoctrinating students into the reality of adulthood through school uniforms really isn’t a bad idea at all.

Individual expression is important. But, wearing a school uniform does not limit your individual expression. It makes learning an educational experience. I never had to worry about what to wear in the morning, I didn’t have to worry about the girl across the way and her new outfit, there were no concerns about the cute boy. Everyone wore the same uniform and we learned what we were supposed to learn. We were always encouraged to be ourselves which is expression of self and we changed our clothes when we got home and when we got together on the weekends there was plenty of room for fashion expression. So, once again, YES, uniforms are good.

I also read the thread about school uniforms and was in the minority feeling that school is first and foremost for education after school activities (sports, dance, etc) are for expression. I just don’t think most kids realize the importance of their education until they are older and it is too late. I am not saying public schools should have catholic school uniforms but a strict dress code is a good thing. Our schools let the kids wear jeans and khaki or navy pants or shorts and polo type shirts in the school colors. Express yourself after school!

This debate has waged on for awhile now, First of all I did not have to where uniforms. Yet, it is my belief that children in schools may actually benefit from uniforms. Reason being, that it takes away the problems of fashion and the decision of what to where, also it removes the cumbersome issues of what clothes school children can and cannot wear if there is a uniform standard. saying that uniforms remove individuality seems ridiculous to me as our identity comes from within not from the cloths on our backs. Also i would like to point out that once we reach adulthood many of us are destined to wear uniforms or other forms of standardized clothing. IE factory work, retail, military, and many other forms of employment. It just seems to me that if we used uniforms we free up one worry and allow children to focus on something more important like their education.

As a finale note Albert Einstein had seven suits that were identical so he never had to decide what to wear.

How can we deny that educators are preparing youthful individuals to be a member of society? Social aspects can not be separated from the ideas of a well-educated individual. I am neutral on the uniform idea, but if someone is counting on just their clothing to give them a sense of individuality, then maybe the entire educational system needs to be reevaluated.

school is how you make friends. i think that it is a place that can be social, but that is what lunch is for. if you are in class then education comes first.