School uniforms should not be mandatory

Public school students should not have to wear uniforms. It’s a burden to parents who cannot afford two sets of clothes for each child. If a family cannot afford uniforms, it should be the responsibility of the school department to provide them.

Uniforms do not improve academics, behavioral and social outcomes, or reduce discrimination or crime, according to many educators and experts. Studies do not report any improvements in these areas. In fact, uniforms may even make rebellious students worse. They alter the uniforms by tightening, widening, shortening, or lengthening them.

Rules enforcing school uniforms could possibly be civil rights violations, such as the right to free speech, right to privacy and freedom of religion. Schools must have an opt-out provision to make a school uniform policy legal because every child has the right to a public education unconditioned upon complying with a uniform policy.

Students always find ways to tease or bully others, regardless of what clothes are worn. Uniforms make students very identifiable, creating divisions between schools and making it very easy to be bullied or causing fights with rival institutions.

SHIRLEY FARRELL

Moosup