School uniforms

I don't like school uniforms. I think a dress code is just fine - that way they can be individuals.

I know part of it is eliminating a "disruption" in school. But frankly, dress codes can handle that.

Also, uniforms don't necessarily eliminate haves and have nots. Little girls with money will still wear designer duds while those without will go with the Wal-Mart clothes. And kids know the difference.

I'm 100% in favor of uniforms, and not just uniform rules that let some parents buy more expensive versions of pants, shorts, skirts, shirts, tops, and sweaters, or shoes. A little more that 35 years ago, I heard my elementary school principal make the case that he didn't want a kid who didn't have 50 cents feel inferior to a kid who had 50 dollars.

Sure, being an individual is what gives kids self-esteem, but, does having the money to buy more expensive clothes actually promote self-esteem? Or does it just promote a sense of hallow superiority (i.e. my Mom has more money in her checking account than your Mom does)? Are these parents saying that the only way their child can express individuality is by showing that he/she has access to more expensive things?

In 14 years, is it going to make a difference whether your kid went to school in hand-me-downs or designer fashions? It might matter to you, but, on graduation day, rich parents can't buy NHS or honors cords; kids have to earn them.

School uniforms ought to be universal, and they should be inexpensive and functional -- easy to wash with Tide and Borax, dry, and wear. Unfortunately, there are too many parents who send their kids to school with their pants hanging down below boxer shorts, tight-tight capri girl jeans, girls showing bra straps under their tops, and T-shirts and/or caps with unacceptable messages printed on them.

A strict uniform policy helps kids stay kids. I'm astounded that there are parents not in favor of that.

I'm in favor of a dress code that's enforced. I think that will cut down on the distractions.

Susie is a discussion leader in the east valley for arizonamoms.com. She has two sons, ages 6 and 2.

I like the idea ALOT. And that in itself surprises my husband, children, mother, father and friends. I think there is nothing wrong with a school uniforms. It helps keep dress codes enforced (have you seen some of what the young girls and boys wear now a day - ugh) and I like the idea of knowing when my child gets up, there isn't going to be a 10 minute discussion why they can't wear certain things (dressy church clothes, too short dresses that we wear to the pool).

Oh and I know I'm the minority here, but my deal is this...I went to Trevor Browne, with a lot of gang banging teens with saggy pants and underwear hanging out, girls wearing shorts too short and spaghetti strap tank tops and Goth or Emo people. There is a lot to be said about EVERYONE wearing the same thing and looking decent. Call me old fashion but I don't want my child staring at someone with a green mohawk and safety pens holding TOGETHER their pants or a guy wearing pant half down to his thighs while he runs across campus to make it to class before the last bell, ot seeing some girl drop a pencil and bending over and her shorts be so short you can see her butt cheeks, so you move to the front where you can see down her shirt at her tatas. Vivid images I know, but hey, now do you think uniforms are so bad?

"It's not to late to become who you've always wanted to be..."

I'm for the idea of school uniforms. I think it would make it easier in the mornings when I'm dressing my son. I want him to wear one thing and he wants to wear another. This would eliminate that problem.

I'm for the idea of school uniforms. I think it would make it easier in the mornings when I'm dressing my son. I want him to wear one thing and he wants to wear another. This would eliminate that problem.

I can see benefits to both views: uniforms are useful (they are easy to a certain degree, so long as there's been enough advance notice to get them; they tend to decrease issues when kids are dressing for school in the first place, like arguments about "you're wearing WHAT?!"); free dress (no uniforms) allows for more personal expression, and while kids choices might raise eyebrows sometimes and require negotiation, their ability to dress themselves prevents me from having to maintain two wardrobes for a fast-growing human: school, and everything else.

The things that drive me crazy about uniforms are generally these:
1) An administrative rationale (not verifiably data-based that I have seen) that claims a direct cause/effect relationship between having uniforms and increasing safety/decreasing bullying. Clothes are only one variable. Let's not simplify things or cover real issues for the sake of comfort.
2) A laundry pile that sometimes gets ahead of me. Those days when I haven't done laundry soon enough and we have to scramble to make sure he's appropriately dressed within dress code are not fun for anyone. It would be very handy to have the option to dress in conservative street clothes in such instances.

We've been to schools with both dress policies. I'd be interested in others' takes on this issue.

I am on the fence. Before my children started school I was for it. Now, it doesn't seem to be the issue I thought it would be. I have friends whose children have uniforms and it creates more laundry. They have to change as soon as they get home. As long as dress codes are enforced and let's face it they really are not always followed there shouldn't be a problem.

KarilouMomof2 is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com living in Tempe. Her daughters are 9 and 6.