School uniforms and strict dress codes continue to be a debated topic among school administrators, parents, and students soaring with mixed opinions and sometimes heavy opposition.  Some think enforced dress codes do not allow students to express their freedom of personality, while others believe it minimizes bad behavior in the classroom and eliminates any inappropriate clothing which often causes distractions in class.

With every new school uniform proposal, school boards fight back petitions from students and parents and spend time addressing concerns in PTA meetings.

In Japan, it is quite the opposite. Since the growing trend started back in 2002, girls in Japanese high schools actually prefer to wear what has been branded as the “fake uniform” or in Japanese, “Nanchatte seifuku”.  The “fake uniform” consists of components that a traditional school uniform, including a fitted polo or button down collared blouse, pleated skirt, blazer or sweater, socks, and tie. Although not required to wear school uniforms, students routinely purchase and customize their uniforms every year to include school logos and colors. Local uniforms shops provide hundreds of options in color, style and fit which allows students to mix and match styles, still allowing them to express their own “outside of school” personalities.

This certainly is a very popular “fashion” trend and it’s been noticed that these girls love wearing their school uniforms, some even wearing them out in their spare time. Other eastern countries have also seen this trend growing and spreading throughout their local high schools as well.

So I wonder what the odds are that school uniforms will one day been seen as a fashionable trend here in the United States?

Peoria, Illinois district High Schoolers may have no choice but to put their short shirts, skirts, and pants on the ground back up in the closet. All District 150 elementary and middle schools already require school uniforms and administrators have started discussions about the possibilities of extending the school uniform dress code to high school level schools.  Many school administrators and parents have noticed the students choices of  fashion is no longer appropriate and only adding to the many other daily teenager distractions.   The district committee will meet Wednesday,  March 17th to make some decisions. School Uniforms often raise cost concerns for some parents but the county schools are willing to donate them to families who are unable to afford them.  There are many other affordable retail and online store options like SchoolofUniforms.com!

Pros and Cons of School Uniforms

For those in favor of the move to school uniforms, they cite the shared sense of identity that would be created by the introduction of a uniform, the potential reduction in bullying, and the practicality and cost effectiveness of school-issued clothing.

Those against were more vocal at the meeting, with one parent arguing he would hate to see school children become institutionalised: “The freedom and the sense of security the kids have about them is one of the best things about the Falklands.”

Parents Favor School Uniforms

From the poll on parents 75-80 of parents were in favor of school uniforms with the majority of them citing less resistance in helping their children fit in, and the global Recession definitely plays a part in all parents’ financial pocketbooks.