The Debate Over School Uniform: Fighting



Figure 1.--.

School uniforms reduce violemce by eliminating fights and disruptions over fashionable clothes. Children invairably tease those who do not have trendy clothes. Poor children are often very sensitive about their clothes. American iner-city schools facing serious gang violence believe that uniforms help to ease the problem.

Research

A variety of studies show a decline in fighting and violence after school uniform policies were implemented. California state school crime statistics from 1993-1997, from the time the uniform policies started through the year of the study Total crimes on campus in elementary and middle school dowm 76%, fighting - down 51%, sex offenses - down 93%, robbery/extortion - down 85%, chemical substances - down 72 %, weapons or look alike weapons - down 83%, and dangerous devices - down 96%. Were all problems eliminated? Of course not, but this is not an all or nothing idea.

One matter that is difficult to factor out is whether improvements in discipline were actually due to the uniform or to a larger program to address the problem. It is likely that the uniform was at least part of the reason for the impriovements.

Opinions

Uniforms take away the distraction of people worrying about what they are wearing and what others are wearing. Fighting because someone made fun of your clothes is quite common in children. Especially if children are poor and have very poor clothes. They are very sensitive about it.

Reliable studies have shown that violence, fights, suspensions and expulsions go down in school after uniforms are introduced. Kids in elementary school don't like to be different and of course there will always be fighting and bullies. School uniforms are not the answer to all problems. The fact is, however, that it does address some problems. You deal with one thing it doesn't get rid of all problems, but it should still be done.

By the way, when I was student I sometimes heard the crack, "I used to have a shirt like that . . . till my father got a job." It didn't bother me then. I just went along with the joke, laughed with the joker, and said something like "Har dee har har. Here's a quarter, go buy a real gift for humor." But I can imagine some poorer students getting upset over such comments.





Careful, clicking on these will exit you from the Boys' Historical Clothing web site, but several are highly recommended

  • Apertures Press International Project: Pictures at schools in different countries and a book on British schools
  • Apertures Press New Zealand E-book: New E-book on New Zealand schools available
  • School Uniform Web Site: Informative review of British school uniforms with some excellent photographs
  • British Preparatory Schools: A photographic book depicting life at British preparatory schools during the 1980s. Most of the schools are English or Scottish, but schools in Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, and Ulster are also included. The pictures show the uniforms worn at many different schools.
  • Information: Information about school uniforms in America

    Christopher Wagner

    histclo@lycosmail.com


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    Created: January 20, 1999
    Last updated: April 16, 2000