The Great Uniform Debate

An interesting topic came up in Communications the other day. My teacher was trying to get us to talk about "controversial issues" but since my entire Communications class hates to communicate, no one really engaged in the discussion. That is, until she brought up the subject of school uniforms.

Now this is something I know about all too well. I wore uniforms for a whole 12 years. Pretty sure that's some sort of world record. Every day from 1st grade through senior year I was forced into the same clothes as everyone else by overlords who attempted to take overthrow the world my private schools. the grade school uniforms at St. Joe's were the worst. White polo and blue pants ugh. By the end of the day no one's shirt was clean. Sometimes the stains from the playground couldn't even come out so the little brats would be running around with polos that were a lovely shade of murky grey. Middle school got slightly better. We could wear 1 of 4 different colored polos (navy blue, green, white, or light blue), and either khaki or navy blue pants. Not sure why they waited until middle school to give us more uniform privileges. I liked to think of them as a slightly reward for enduring 5 years of torment. The worst part about the St. Joes' dress code is that we couldn't wear any cargo pants or shorts. Considering actual dress pants are expensive and not all that available in the boys' department at Target, my mom would just
~On a side note I still can't wear polo shirts without getting sick to my stomach.
 ~~On another side note the whole no cargo rule might be a factor in why I wear cargo shorts pretty much every day from March to October.

High school was even slightly less strict. At Westpark, we had to wear any color of  t-shirt, polo, or button down with the school logo on it (available exclusively through Lands' End). Naturally I stayed far far away from the polos and only got t-shirts. For pants we originally had to wear
khaki, black, or blue pants or shorts (cargo included!), but a lot of kids just wore jeans every day so Pastor Colleen changed the rule.

Despite what a lot of people think, uniforms weren't that bad.But do I think public schools should adopt them? Emm no. Most of the people who say uniforms should be instated probably didn't have to wear uniforms as kids. Wearing uniforms does not make all kids equal. Everyone still knows who the rich kids are and who's buying their uniforms from a Goodwill rack. Uniforms don't stomp out bullying or stop kids from picking on each other for things other than clothes. Dressing alike doesn't increase grades or stop little boys from harassing their female classmates. These are myths. If anything, uniforms are even worse for poorer families. Those lands end t-shirts were like $20 a pop! And even Wally World's dress pants ain't cheep.

Take it from someone who wore uniforms, and lived to tell the tale.

-Matthew

*note: I am in no way affiliated with St. Joseph/Marquette or Westpark Christian Academy and everything I say (as always) should be taken with a grain of salt.