Don't read too much into it

I have a few things that are on my mind and I feel that they need to be addressed (pertaining to the topic of school uniforms, of course).

First, I had a comment and they brought up a good question, but of course I have a good answer. The question, or comment really, was even though uniforms are readily available and inexpensive these days, it adds on to the cost of the students wardrobe as a whole. I do not agree with this at all. If a student needs to purchase uniforms, WHY IN THE WORLD would they buy "street clothes" at the same time? If they have to wear a certain set of clothes 5 days a week that are essentially cheaper than the clothes that they would usually buy, I see a DECREASE in costs, not an increase. A student wouldn't have to add to their everyday wardrobe unless their clothes are too tattered or no longer fit properly. WHEW! Alright enough with that one.

So, back in 2000, a Philadelphia school decided to implement uniforms to enhance school academic performances. When the school board presented this at a meeting, one student said that it wouldn't help with disciplinary issues but only worsen them; saying that the once "good kids" would want to rebel because they're being made to look like everyone else.

Now, not to be blunt or rude but COME ON! I laughed when I read that. My question is what makes him think that uniforms are going to change every students biological chemistry? If I wore the exact same thing as every college student in Austin, Texas, I guarantee that I will look nothing like any of them. Maybe that's the problem. Maybe kids these days can only identify themselves with what they wear or what they have instead of their intelligence and personality.

When the lobbyist groups get involved

I've been thinking a lot about "uniforms" and why I'm so gung-ho for them. I was brainwashed.... in a sense. Yes, I've spent most of my educational years wearing them so I didn't know any better. So I decided to see what the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) had to say. You know they have an opinion about everything leaning toward the Republican view.

 The ACLU stepped into a situation in Rhode Island where parents were opposed to the changing of all public schools to require uniforms. The parents said that the uniforms would be too costly and that they wouldn't improve the environment or performance of the students.

I find this lazy of the parents. I mean really... Wal-Mart now sells uniforms. H.E.B (if you're in Texas), Academy... take your pick! Please tell me none of you actually agree with this. I think changing to uniforms is not that serious. But then again, there's always going to be that one parent who has to complain.

I'm not lookin at your shoes

The one thing that I have been exposed to, like many college students, is the opinions of my peers. Coming from a small town where everyone seems to think the same on most issues, it never occurred to me that not everyone will agree with what I think or what I say. Mainly, the opinions that have seemed to "shock" me (for lack of better words), are those pertaining to uniforms in schools.

As someone who has been in a uniform for 13 out of the 21yrs of life that I have under my belt, uniforms are "essentially" terrific! Uniforms typically come from a strict set of rules pertaining to clothing. So if you think of uniforms with that definition, you have to wear a "uniform" to work as well. But people tend to think of uniforms as everyone in a school wearing the exact same thing; the girls in skirts and a polo shirt and the boys in khaki pants with a shirt and tie. That is how the rules at my school were.

Uniforms tend to promote a lessened number in disciplinary issues, a sense of professionalism depending on how strict the uniform rules are, and  a higher academic standards. So with all my thoughts, would you be alright with wearing the same thing as most of your classmates in high school?