School uniforms should be required.

This simple statement often meets significant opposition, but it is really the best way to go in today’s super-competitive and status-driven clothing world for teens.

Those who support this idea say that uniforms help students focus on academics rather than fashion. Opponents believe that kids should have the freedom to choose what they wear to school. After considering both sides of the issue, it is clear that uniforms should be required in schools.

According to School Parent Council (SPC) – a Boston Public Schools organization where parents can express their concerns and advocate support for new ideas like school uniforms – students feel more skillful and behave accordingly when they wear uniforms. This is an important piece of information because it supports the idea that students often become distracted by fashion and status-symbol clothing when uniforms are not present. Moreover, when all students are dressed in uniforms, there is no spotlight on fashion in the classroom and more interest in learning.

Schools without a school uniform often face inappropriate modesty issues, offensive logos and even gang colors. Teachers and administrative staff must always monitor the students’ attire. This, of course, could be easily avoided if all students were in uniform.

Another important factor that is important when considering uniforms is the savings for families. Parents save money by not having to buy school clothes for their children, which helps them not only save money but also allows them an easier path in the morning when kids – especially teens – are getting ready for school.  Families don’t have to spend as much money buying brand-name clothes for their children, as students don’t worry about what they wear to school.

While opponents argue that uniforms are, in reality, an added cost because students need both school and non-school clothes, they miss the point that school uniforms only need to be bought once a year, not weekly or monthly like casual clothes.

The most distinct backing for school uniforms is that it helps reduce in bullying and mocking in all schools. Bullying is a problem all over the world.  It can’t be stopped, but it can be reduced thanks to school uniforms. School uniforms help even the playing field since there is less opportunity for children to be picked on for their clothes.

For all of these reasons and others, school uniforms should be required. If teachers and principals want to have a say about students ‘clothes, they should consider school uniforms. Using uniforms rather than just a “dress code”  provides adults an opportunity to set limits for kids and teens dressing at school without having to do much in the way of regulation.