Debating School Uniforms: Balancing Individuality and Equality

School uniform is an extremely debatable argument. Schools love it and many pupils despise it. There are several good reasons both for and against the wearing of uniform, some pupils say that the uniforms are cold and irritating. They also feel that uniform limits their own field of personal preference, as they find it hard to express their individuality other than through what they wear. Although many pupils would rather wear a clown suit than a uniform, it isn't just a plot by school to make pupils freeze and dull.

As not all pupils can afford the latest fashions and brand names offered by the greedy, clothing companies then uniform would make more sense, as it's relatively cheap and smart.

One good point made by made by those in favour in uniform is that if pupils didn't wear uniform, then they'd want to wear designer clothes instead, which can be expensive and some families can ill afford these. For example one designer outfit can cost around �150 and that's just for one outfit.

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Most pupils would like to have a different outfit for each day which increases the cost significantly. And the reality is that not everyone has large sums of money to clothe their children each year. If uniform wasn't compulsory then poorer families would be forced to buy cheaper "Un-Branded" clothes. These "Un-Branded" clothes are, counted as "Un-Cool" and "Un-Trendy" by most of today's youth, this may lead to bulling of the unfortunate pupil not wearing the latest fashion and brand names.

Another valid argument, mainly made by teachers and members of the public in favour in uniform, is that if pupils do wear uniform then they'll be easily recognised outside of school. Additionally, if outsiders not wearing the schools uniform enter the school, then they will stand out of the crowd because their clothing is different. For example if some pupils who are wearing there uniform who are outside of the school environment, then they will be easily recognised as pupils of the school they are attending so the school could easily contacted if the pupils were misbehaving. Furthermore teachers, police or members of the public spot pupils outside of school when there meant to be inside. The school could be notified of this, and the appropriate action taken. Were as if pupils did not wear uniform, then no one would know what school they go to thus they wouldn't be as easily recognised. Moreover if pupils didn't wear uniform and outsiders entered without permission then they would be difficult to spot as everyone would be wearing regular clothes.

However there are many people apposed to uniform as well. Most of these are pupils, and they argue that uniform is uncomfortable and too cold or too hot, depending what time of year it is. For example in some schools pupils are not aloud to wear coats inside of school at all. As you can imagine, schools can be cold as most of them are big spacious buildings. However another problem occurs in summer when pupils have to wear shirts and trousers all year round and in summer it can get very hot. In this kind of weather pupils would rather wear shorts and T-Shirts, and in winter when freezing pupils would rather wear big jumpers and jeans. So most of the pupils at schools are either too hot or too cold, which can be uncomfortable and at worst could distract them from their work.

Another issue raised by opposes of uniform is that the wearing of uniform prevents pupils from expressing their individuality and as appearances is the first thing people are normally judged on. All pupils could be misjudged as they are all wearing the same when everyone if different. The real truth is that pupils are not all the same and some pupils like to express their interests through their dress. For example people who have interests in Rock music tend to wear darker, "Baggy" clothing. At the moment some pupils even go as far as acting differently as they are not aloud to wear what they choose. An example of this could be by causing trouble in school. If pupils are comfortable with what their wearing, then they might concentrate more on their work, inside of being worried about how they look.

To conclude there is no correct answer to the uniform debate. As there are many good points to both sides of the argument. Personally I am neither for nor against the wearing of uniform. I am in favour of a compromise were pupils should be aloud to wear what they want but it should be either black or white and shouldn't be branded. This lets pupils express themselves as individuals but doesn't encourage competition as brand names wouldn't be aloud. Pupils would still be easily recognised as well because pupils would be either wearing black or white, smart clothes.