Category: Education

The mandatory uniforms in the public schools have fired up a raging school uniform debate across many countries of world. The issue of mandatory uniforms in the public schools became a hot school uniform debate in the United States, following President Clinton’s 1996 State of the Union address, in which the President stated, “If it means that teenagers will stop killing each other over designer jackets, then our public schools should be able to require their students to wear uniforms.

The President visited Long Beach, California, where the policy of mandatory school uniforms was having outstanding success. Mr. Clinton praised Long Beach for their remarkably successful uniform policy, and stated that he had signed an order instructing the Secretary of Education to send to all school districts across the nation the newly generated Manual on School Uniforms. The manual outlines specific steps for school districts wishing to implement uniform policies. This contributed in heating up the school uniform debate even more.

There are arguments and counter arguments in the school uniform debate. The exponents of uniforms in school uniform debate claim that school uniforms help improving education system and they are necessary for the smooth working of schools, but their opponents in school uniform debate strongly challenge their claims. The opponents cite civil rights violations by school uniforms; the violation of right to liberty and self expression, but the supports say that the benefits of school uniforms outweigh any loss of freedoms. The supports say that school uniforms help reducing “ganging” and facilitate creating proper and safe climate of learning in schools.

The people speaking against school uniform debate that school uniforms stand for tyranny of schools. They make students submissiveness and hinder compete personality development. The schools with mandatory school uniform policies just produce submissive citizens rather than free thinkers of tomorrow. However, the people speaking for school uniform debate that school uniforms instill sense of dignity and discipline; the schools with mandatory school uniform policies produce responsible, disciplined, and obedient citizens. The exponents of school uniform say that the people who speaking against school uniforms are just inciting children to disobey school authorities.

The people speaking against school uniform debate that school uniforms are expensive and put financial burden on parents. The exponents however say that school uniforms may have some demerits, but their merits outweigh their demerits. So, the school uniform debate is fierce; it sounds to be never-ending.

The debate on school uniforms continues. Often debated in the United States, UK, and various countries of the world, School uniforms are no longer viewed as symbol of discipline and pride.

The whole academia is divided on the issue; public and experts are on contradicting lines. The advocates of school uniforms offer a number of arguments for school uniforms, but the opponents offer a number of school uniforms arguments against. There is a battle of words going on school uniforms. The school uniforms arguments against – are neither completely nor completely wrong.

The militia of opponents has numerous school uniforms arguments against school uniform system. One of the oppositions’ major school uniforms arguments against is that school uniforms contravene the right to liberty and self expression. According to opponents, the right to liberty and self expression is one of the fundamental rights, which can’t be violated.

Opponents argue that how can school uniforms infringe the right that has been constitutionally guaranteed in all major democracies of the world. The U.S. Constitution guarantees the right of citizens to life, liberty. The U.S. Supreme Court has also ruled in favor of the right of individuals to self-expression.

Another of school uniforms arguments against is that school uniforms hamper free development of personality. The oppositions view school uniforms symbol of servility and submissiveness. They feel that the schools having strict codes on uniforms will just produce the subservient citizens rather than free thinking citizens. They feel that the schools with school uniforms are incapable of producing thinkers of tomorrow rather they can just produce imbecile meek followers.
According to them, school uniforms are regimental, militaristic, and faceless, which should be done away with. Students should be encouraged to exercise their individual taste and freedom.

Another of school uniforms arguments against is that school uniforms are highly expensive. They are sometimes more costlier that ordinary clothings. Children are constantly growing and the manufacturers of school uniforms and accessories take good advantage of the situation; parents are left with none other option than to bear the costs of expensive school uniforms.

Another of school uniforms arguments against is that school uniforms fail to bring complete conformity among the school students; cliques and coteries are still formed in the schools with school uniforms.

School uniforms are the distinctive design clothings worn by the students of schools. School uniforms are purposely designed for undifferentiated identification.

The concept of school uniforms seems to have come from the old time practice of wearing standard costumes in religious personnel and armies. In old times, it was common among the people performing religious activities and the armies of the Roman Empire or other civilizations to wear standard costumes.

Traditionally, school uniforms were subdued and professional, but there has been a great developed in types, forms, and styles of school uniforms in recent times. Nowadays, School uniforms are common parts of elementary and secondary school codes. The most of the modern school uniforms are nowadays are western in style.

School uniforms are usually determined by the School dress codes and the uniform policies of schools. The uniform policies and the dress codes of schools also articulate what can’t be worn by any student. Generally, schools do not allow wearing sheer or midriff-baring blouses, clothing that advertises tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs, and low-rise jeans.

Several schools have gender-specific school uniforms, but several others allow female students to choose either skirt or trousers. Blazers or suit-like jackets have become popular part of school uniforms.

School uniforms are generally classified as boys’ school uniforms and girls’ school uniforms. The boys’ school uniforms may include dark pants, light-colored shirt, tie, belt, cap, shoes, and a jacket in cold weather, and the girls’ school uniforms may include skirt or kilt, blouse or shirt, tie, belt, cap, shoes, and a jacket in cold weather.

School uniforms are not required at public (state-sponsored) schools in the continental Europe, but the private schools usually have school uniforms and have strict dress codes. The majority of schools in United Kingdom & Ireland have formal looking school uniforms.

School uniforms are not required in most public schools in the United States and Canada, but the schools usually have strict rules against indecent or offensive clothing. The National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) articulated that the fraction of American public schools requiring school uniforms rose from three percent in 1997 to one in five (21%) in 2000. School uniforms are fairly common for private schools in the United States, especially for Catholic schools.

There is lot of talk on school uniforms nowadays. School uniforms are hot subject of ongoing school uniform debates. There are numerous school uniform debates hotly going on all over the world. These school uniform debates are all about the issues of public schools making school uniforms mandatory for children. Often, troubled by this mandatory status of school uniforms, people intentionally or unintentionally get involved into these school uniform debates.

These school uniform debates have two groups – one for school uniforms and other against school uniforms – debating on school uniforms. These debating groups in school uniform debates have their own reasons and logics for their respective stances on school uniforms.

The group supporting school uniform debates that school uniforms are necessary for smooth and safe working of schools. According to this group of school uniform exponents, schools uniforms help creating ideal climate of learning in schools. School uniforms helps creating safe atmosphere in schools, as they make it easier to identify trespassers and help reducing the activities of gangs in schools. School uniforms instill the spirit of discipline and responsibility among the students, and help students to concentrate more in studies and school assignments. School uniforms also help eliminating the socio-economical disparities among the students.

In the support of their argument, the supporters offer the figures of US Department of Education, 1996, which affirm that “school uniforms helped decreasing school crimes by 36%, school violence by 51%, and vandalism by 8%.” They also offer the NAESP’s (National Association of Elementary School Principals) study in 1998, which articulated that schools with active uniform policies had almost 20% better discipline rate, and 10% better results that the schools with non-active uniform policies.

However, the group opposing school uniform debates that school uniforms are unnecessary and evil. According to this group of opposers, the very idea of school uniforms is against the right to liberty and self expression. School uniforms make students submissive and servile and thus hider their personality development. The schools with strict uniform policies just produce submissive citizens rather than free thinkers of future.
The group opposing school uniform debates that school uniforms put extra financial burden on parents. This group feels that school uniforms are utterly unnecessary and evil. They should be abolished for the free and proper development of students.

Hence, both the groups in school uniform debates hold their stands vigorously and appear to be unyielding, which has made school uniform debates, unending.

The common japanese school girl uniform is sailor fuku. The sailor fuku, also known as sailor outfit is worn by middle school and high school female students.

The principal of Fukuoka Jo Gakuin University, Elizabeth Lee introduced Sailor fuku as japanese school girl uniform in 1921. The school uniform was based on the uniform used by the British Royal Navy at the time that Elizabeth had experienced as an exchange student in the United Kingdom.

Sailor-fuku looks similar to several military styled naval uniforms. It generally includes a blouse attached with a sailor-style collar and a pleated skirt. There are seasonal variations in the japanese school girl uniform for summer and winter. The sleeve length and fabric are altered according to the season.

A ribbon is one of very common accessories of Sailor-fuku. It is tied in the front and laced through a loop attached to the blouse. There are several variations on the ribbon that include neckties, bola ties, and bows. The common colors of ribbon are navy blue, white, grey, and black.

Sailor-fuku japanese school girl uniform also includes shoes and socks. The socks are typically navy or white and shoes are typically brown or black penny loafers. The loose socks are also commonly matched by more fashionable girls with their sailor fuku.

Sailor-fuku japanese school girl uniform sometimes also includes other accessories including belts, caps, badges etc.

Sailor-fuku is very popular among japanese girl students. Former students have nostalgic feeling for the uniform and it’s often associated with relatively carefree youth. Imitation of Sailor Fuku is a popular Halloween costume and other party events. It is sold at department stores and costume shops throughout Japan. The second-hand Sailor fuku and other items of school wear are sold and brokered through underground establishments known as burusera.

Sailor-fuku japanese school girl uniform is a symbol of conformity, but rebellious students like making variation such as lengthening or shortening the skirt, rolling up the sleeves, removing the ribbon, hiding patches or badges under the collar, etc.
In past decades, Japanese yankee and Bōsōzoku biker gangs also adopted brightly colored variants of Sailor Fuku.

Sailor Fuku, along with other styles of school uniform, have been very popular in otaku culture. The animation characters of anime, manga, and dōjinshi are usually featured in japanese school uniforms.

School uniforms seem to be making a distinction in the public schools all through. Public school zones and individual schoolhouses have long established dress codes proscribing certain clothing. The public school uniforms are usually simple in style & color, and are meant to express the institutional principles of the school.

The first public school to adopt public school uniforms policy was Cherry Hill Elementary in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1987. In 1994, Long Beach (CA) Unified School District (LBUSD) was the first school district to adopt a district wide public school uniforms strategy.

The dress codes and uniform ideas attained official authorization when President Clinton supported the plan of public school uniforms in his 1996 State of the Union Address. Following Clinton’s track, the U.S. Department of Education sent a handbook of School Uniforms to all 16,000 school districts in the U.S.

The former president Bill Clinton stated, “public schools should be able to require their students to wear uniforms.” Lots of studies have fallen out in regards to the effectuation of public school uniforms. Vincent L. Ferrandino, NAESP’s executive director says, “Adopting uniforms should be a school-by-school decision. Schools should engage the whole school community in the discussion on whether or not to introduce uniforms. It should not be a top-down decision. If adopted, uniform policies should allow for religious expression and provide financial assistance for families in need.”

As of 1997, only 3 percent of all public schools commanded students to wear uniforms. Nearly one-fourth (26%) of public schools set off the necessity earlier than the 1994-95 school year; 40 percent originated it between the 1994-95 and 1995-96 school years; and 34 percent initiated it in the 1996-97 school year.

The public school uniforms are advantageous to the pupils, staff and faculty. The students show an enhancement in their levels, presence, and actions while learning other styles to be an individual or to distinguish themselves. According to proponents, the various benefits of public school uniforms include – they reduce aggression, reduce gang presence, augment school safety, swell school attendance, meliorate grades, offer financial benefits for parents, and also make economic differences between students less discernible with students wearing uniforms in public schools, they feel much better and feel they are achieving more. Their uphill struggle and devotion to their work is what makes their behavior much better.

Girls hate rigid school dress codes. They feel that their personal identities have lost in these strict school dress codes and they are searching for their lost identities.

According to rigid school dress codes, personalizing and accessorizing in girls school uniform is strictly prohibited. Yet some less rigid school dress codes some amount of personalizing and accessorizing in girls school uniform, but even these don’t allow peculiar and conspicuous personalizing.

Less rigid school dress codes may do allow some decent personalizing and accessorizing in girls school uniform. The girls need to make a balance in decency and personalizing in their school uniforms. Here are some useful tips that can help girls to make their personalities expressive even in their school uniforms.

• Many school dress codes require skirts/pants to be belted. Girls can wear the belts that are unique but not distracting.
• The school dress codes require girls’ hair to be neatly groomed. Here, girls have opportunity for a unique fashion statement. Beautiful barrettes, clips, ribbons, or elaborate braids can help them look impressive in their uniforms.
• Lenient schools dress codes permit girls to wear studs or other small earrings. Girls can wear decent looking studs or small earrings. There is a wide variety of beautiful and decent stud earrings available in the market.
• Some schools have pretty lenient rules concerning socks or leggings. The girls studying in such schools can wear some unique and creative leggings and maintain decency as well.
• Some schools do not require specified shoes to be worn as part of the girls school uniform. The girls of these schools can wear nice looking formal shoes of their respective choices.

The ongoing debate on uniforms has numerous voices “for” and “against” school uniforms. The voices for school uniforms are from many educationists, academic experts, and legislators. These people stand for school uniforms and recognize numerous benefits of school uniforms, but on the contrary, the voices against school uniforms are from the extreme individualists. These are the people against school uniforms.

The people against school uniforms feel that school uniforms stifle the right to liberty and self expression. These people argue that the right to liberty and self expression is a fundamental right that cannot be violated at any cost. These people say that this right is guaranteed constitutionally and has legal backing, thus, school uniforms should be abolished to ensure the right to liberty and self expression to students.

The people against school uniforms view school uniforms as symbol of tyranny of schools, which impedes free and complete development of personality. These people opine that school uniforms make students servile and submissive. According to these people against school uniforms, school uniforms should be done away with, because they just help in producing submissive citizens rather that free thinkers of future; the schools with uniforms are just capable of producing weak and meek citizens.

The people against school uniforms feel that school uniforms are highly expensive. They put extra financial burden on parents; the parents have to buy school uniforms along with other fashion clothing. According to the people against school uniforms, school uniforms are money making tools of schools; often, school uniform manufacturers pay sums to schools to seek monopoly on uniforms of specific schools; children are constantly growing and manufacturers take advantage, and parents are left with no choice but to bear the costs of expensive school uniforms.

The people against school uniforms argue that ties in school uniforms are dangerous item of clothing. There are sometimes stories of kids accidentally getting strangles with ties around their necks. The people against school uniforms are just in favor of banishing school uniforms, which they feel are nothing, but useless. These people are in favor of giving maximum of liberty and self-expression to students.

The Japanese school uniforms are conventional part of Japanese life. The Japanese school uniforms are almost universal in the public and private schools, and in some women’s colleges in Japan. The schools in Japan are known for their uniforms.

The system of the Japanese school uniforms was modernized in the late 19th century. Under its modernization program, Japan introduced the western-style school uniforms in schools. However, it did retain the traditional style of Japanese school uniforms. Today, Japan has the both traditional and western-styles of Japanese school uniforms in schools.

The Japanese school uniforms are not strictly required in elementary schools in Japan; some elementary schools require uniforms, but some don’t. The Japanese school uniforms for elementary school boy pupils may include white shirts, shorts, and caps, and the Japanese school uniforms for elementary school girl pupils may include gray pleated skirt and white blouse. According to the Japanese school uniforms codes the pupils are required to wear brightly colored caps to prevent traffic accidents.

The traditional Japanese school uniforms for junior and senior high schools include boys’ military style uniform (gakuran) and girls’ sailor dress (sailor fuku). Based on Meiji era formal military dresses, the traditional Japanese school uniforms are widely popular in the Japanese schools. However, many of schools have adopted more western pattern parochial school uniform styles, and have the western style Japanese school uniforms.

Boys’ western style Japanese school uniforms may include white shirt, necktie, blazer with school crest and dress trousers (often not of the same color as the blazer), and Girls’ western style Japanese school uniforms may include white blouse, necktie, blazer with school crest and tartan skirt. The Japanese schools have summer version of school uniforms that usually include white dress shirt and the uniform slacks for boys and reduced weight traditional uniform or blouse and tartan skirt with tie for girls.

Some Japanese schools also have sports activity uniform that includes a polyester track suit for year round use and a t-shirt and shorts for summer activities. Some Japanese schools also include rules regarding hairstyles, footwear, and bookbags in the codes of Japanese school uniforms.

Catholic schools are the schools set up by the Roman Catholics. These schools are based on the principles and religious values of the Roman Catholics. According to the National Catholic Education Association, there were over 7,580 Catholic schools in 2005-06 in the United States, together with 6,386 primary schools and 1,203 secondary schools. Overall, there were 2,363,220 students, comprising 1,726,773 pupils in the elementary/middle schools and 636,477 in high schools.

The majority of the Roman Catholic schools have some form of dress codes; most of the Roman Catholic schools of lower grade levels follow mandatory uniform policies. The catholic school uniforms for girls include pleated plaid skirt or jumper, Mary Jane or saddle shoes, and blouse, and the catholic school uniforms for boys include buttoned-down shirt, tie, and dark pants.

The catholic school uniforms also include a kilted skirt, which is especially worn in schools having increased number of Celtic students. The Catholic school uniforms in Canada also include an attached pair of shorts with kilted skirt, which is known as x-kilt. Sometimes divided skirts are substituted for a skirt, particularly at Episcopalian or non-parochial private schools. The catholic school uniforms for girls in the younger grade schools include plaid jumper with blouse.

Normally, the boys wear a collared shirt, tie, and slacks of compulsory colors, although sport shirts have replaced dress shirts to some extent. The catholic school uniforms also include a sweater or blazer for both sexes when required by rules or atmospheric condition. The catholic school uniforms for girls up to mid 1970s almost always consisted of a skirt or jumper, but female pupils in the United States now commonly wear uniform shorts or slacks, especially in warmer weather. Today, some of the schools require girls to wear skirts, and others allow girls the choice of skirts or shorts and pants.

According to proficient educationalists, the catholic school uniforms are beneficial to both school pupils and staff. The Catholic school uniforms are rather crucial for the accurate and better implementation of schools as they help in furthering sense of responsibility, obedience, self-esteem, and delight.

Girls’ catholic school uniforms have become iconic and extremely popular in the Western Cultures. The hit 1998 music video “…Baby One More Time” featured Britney Spears and her backup dancers wearing a modified version of the Girls’ catholic school uniforms.