“Be yourself” is a classic piece of first day of school advice, bestowed upon students everywhere as they brace themselves for the unknown. Being immediately swallowed by a sea of navy polos, however, makes it difficult to stand out. Just another person sporting a button up, students may find it difficult to feel unique or authentic – but that doesn’t stop the numbers of schools mandating uniform attire from growing.
In the 2013 – 2014 school year, the percentage of public schools that reported requiring students to wear uniforms was 20% – up from 12% in 1999-2000, as stated by the National Center for Education Statistics. But adopting these required garments may not be in the best interests of students, as it forces them to surrender their creativity in favor of conformity.
Whether a student is using fashion to show off their favorite color, advertise a band they like or even assert their gender identity, it is an extension of their personality. School uniforms, on the other hand, can stifle students’ self-expression. While elementary-age children may not have a personal sense of style that conflicts with their khaki shorts, high school students are old enough to have developed a strong sense of individuality. Teenagers are undergoing the complex process of figuring out who they are, and that often involves test-driving multiple personas until they find the one that fits. There are hormones behind the angst and rebellion, and attempting to fit it all into a prearranged outfit is like trying to score a hole in one with a bowling ball.
One of the few things that teenagers can control is their style. Their parents might pay for their car and they might live in a cupboard under some stairs, but they can determine how they present themselves to the world. This gives them a sense of authority over their own existence, which can mitigate the feelings of constraint that might ultimately end in revolt.
High school students are often expected to behave like adults. If students are required to make decisions about how to spend their money, which courses to take and how they want to proceed with their futures, they are responsible enough to select clothing appropriate for school. Further, while plenty of jobs have coordinated garb, many others do not. Students should be learning from their high school experience, gaining an understanding of what types of clothing are appropriate in different situations.
Uniforms can also be a source of insecurity for students who don’t feel confident in what they’re wearing. Adolescence is difficult enough, with its drama, hormones and standardized tests, so any opportunity to feel relaxed in one’s own skin should be capitalized on.
According to Joshua I. Davis, an assistant professor of psychology at Barnard College, “when we put on certain clothes we might more readily take on a role and that can affect our basic abilities.” There is definitely a reason why wearing cozy sweatpants or a cheerful dress can salvage a bad day. If the wearer feels comfortable in their “armor,” it will be reflected in their mood and behavior.
Granted, there are some advantages to school uniforms. For the laziest of students, school uniforms eliminate the need to put effort into a clothing ensemble. With no reason to spend time matching shirts to jeans to shoes at the crack of dawn, some people might even find themselves hitting snooze one extra time.
School uniforms can also enhance a school’s security – if a person who is out of uniform turns up, it’s immediately clear that they are an outsider. This is similar to the idea behind wearing identification badges, only even more obvious.
One of the most cited advantages of adopting school uniforms is their function as an equalizer. With uniforms, no students are better-dressed than others. Looking like clones of one another, it’s much more difficult for potential bullies to find something to pick on, and students no longer feel the need to impress one another.
While halting the bullying epidemic and heightening security are both appealing, forcing students to look identical to one another is not the right way to go about correcting these extensive issues. Being different is what attracts friends and breeds success, encourages innovation and promotes progress. Therefore, in a world where “be yourself” is constantly preached, students must be provided with the means to do so.
Photo by Casey Chapter
