School Uniforms Suck

Growing up I always wished we had school uniforms at my school. I did not have the money for the latest fashions, and I thought wearing uniforms meant it wouldn't matter if I had less money than everybody else. But I was totally wrong. My kids have uniforms at their school, and the uniforms are tagged and branded. Kids still want uniforms from certain stores...those stores with the highest price tags are, of course, the ones they want the most.

Schools down in Tampa argue that uniforms are a good policy because they are cost effective, help kids focus on school work, and give unity/school spirit to the students. I disagree on all of these arguments.

Uniforms are costly! I am a bargain hunter, and I know I can get a very nice shirt at TJ Maxx or Old Navy for my kids for less than I can any polo. The schools sell the polo's from $12-15, and most stores have them for $9-25. I, however, can get new kid's shirts for $4-7. When you have 3 kids needing at least 4 shirts each, that extra $2 or more adds up.

Khaki pants are always more expensive than jeans or non-khaki shorts. Plus, jeans and casual shorts can be worn on weekends and evenings more easily than uniform khakis. So I would save money by not needing 2 wardrobes for the kids.

School uniforms do not help take attention away from wardrobes and put it on school work. The students still compare shoes, hair, jewelry, manicures, and even socks. My kids complain they don't have nice enough pencils! Not to mention, the students pay attention to the labels, style, and cut of uniforms. Who looks best in their uniforms. Dress codes are all that is needed, not uniforms. Go ahead and put length requirements on shorts, don't allow sleeveless or midsection baring tops.

Maybe there is some unity given by every kid wearing the same color everyday. My daughter thinks it's boring, and I don't blame her. Plus, the unity does not necessarily give the kids school spirit. I think having sports teams, clubs, and community groups help to build spirit and school pride. I don't think the kids care about wearing school colors to go learn. They would probably enjoy cheering on their teams, and working together. Pride works better than uniforms for uniting students.

I think I hate school uniforms more than my kids hate them! Faith would rather wear glittery pink clothes. She's got a style of her own, and I think it's fun to see her express it. Christian and Cross like t-shirts that show their favorite teams or express their personalities. Imagine if you had to wear the same color and styles of clothes everyday! Some people are great at it, like military personnel, but not all of us are military material!