When you go out into the real world, you will find that people aren't all in uniforms and we aren't all dressed the same. ....but we can't take our children and stick them in a sterile environment for the 12 years that they are in school and then throw them out into the real world and expect them to survive.


The above is from the printed version of mail call.

In the real world, all people may not be in a uniform, but in the real world there are dress codes and you have to follow them. My employer has a dress code and it is very similar to the dress code for the schools. Twice on vacation, we have been denied service at resturants because of a dress code.

So, they are only being prepared for what is in the real world.

Hmmm, Preparing? I don't know. Possibly. I'm not sure if either of the answers are totally correct.

If you think kids go to events where they know they need to dress a certain way. Does that not condition them to wear good outfits when they go to a job or even a dinner?

I did not have uniforms in school. I have never been denied going to anywhere because of my dress. That is not because I dress well, but I am informed about the needs of where I am about to go.

School uniforms? Hmmm. For every study that says there is an increase in learning and decrease in violence, there is another study contradicting this.

I don't like the idea of uniforms. It's a personal thing I guess. Children even high schoolers are our young. I don't want to place any restrictions on them now, when later they will be more hindered. No, this makes me feel like some people feel about the cameras (i.e. on the other thread) downtown.

I have worked in many companies. I can tell you first hand unless the dress code is spelled out, workers come in all kinds of outfits. I worked one place that said dress down on fridays-casual work attire. Within a month, I saw ripped and stained jeans, holey tee shirts, flip-flops as shoes, and apparel you would wear cleaning house or in exercise class. You guessed it--after trying to 'tweak' the dress code multiple times, they just said forget it about 6 months after they started..we went back to business attire all the time (ie heels and hose for women, men in suits.) It was a bummer. But since then I have found that everyone seems to have a different opinion about what is 'casual'.
This is why I think uniforms is a good idea. First, it is hard-try nee impossible to find pants(jeans) for girls that come up past their belly button or ones that stay up(for boys). My sister who still resides in Tx, has no problems. All three kids wear uniforms--they are simple: polo shirts or white button shirts, jumpers, docker type material pants or shorts which come to the knee. They wear white socks and sneakers. End of story. You buy 5 outfits per kid, and you are done. She says it is wonderful--no fights in the morning.
Just my 2 cents worth....sign me ALL FOR UNIFORMS....

txexpatriot - I couldn't have said it better myself.

I work in a professional environment and you would be amazed at what people try and get away with wearing to work. I would love to have to wear a "uniform" to work. Docker pants and polo shirts would be just fine.

Avogadro - We dress well and always appropriately for the occasion. On the two occasions we were denied service, we were on vacation in the Caribbean. Sorry, but I don't wear a dress and my husband doesn’t wear a suit when it’s 100 out and we're at the beach.

If you think kids go to events where they know they need to dress a certain way. Does that not condition them to wear good outfits when they go to a job or even a dinner?
Hmmm... No. Pay attention sometime when your out to dinner or just at the mall. I rarely see kids dressed appropriately anywhere. Pay attention to the cashiers at places like Wal-Mart, Target, and even Sears. Dirty clothes with holes; dirty and unkempt hair, etc. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but to me someone serving the public should not to have a ring hanging out of their nose or eyebrow or chin and wear dirty clothes. Kids need guidance and discipline. If their parents won't teach them, at least they can learn to dress appropriately at school. I get tire to people looking like slobs.

I don't want to place any restrictions on them now, when later they will be more hindered.
I'm all for letting kids express themselves, but in school, they aren't there to impress or conduct a fashion show. They are there to learn. Let them wear what they want after school and on the weekends.

mstubble are you psychic??? You've read my mind!

MS stubble...thanks for your support.
I have gone to places like Walmart, Kmart, etc. and find the employees sometimes dressed like they are going to a bar. Multiple sets of earrings, tattooes showing....hair a mess..and then they wonder why they do not go up in the world...when I was very young, women still wore girdles...okay, they were probably uncomfortable(by the time I was of the age, letting it all hang out was in), but at least you looked neat...now we hang out too much...I was on airplane and the girl(maybe 16) next to me in line looked like she had no respect for herself...her pants were too low, too tight and dirty...and when we began to converse, she was a well-spoken, sweet girl...but no one just looking at her would have believed it...unfortunately, as humans we have to judge people instantly--and we do this by their appearance...

I think the argument that a child wants to "express themselves" or be an "indivudial" so they can wear whatever they want or pierce anything they want is a crock. When in school they are a student/member of the school and should look the part. The band has uniforms. The teams have uniforms. The students should too.

thank you for your opinion. By the way, if you have ever worked in a company like big blue(a nickname) where all the people where navy suits with white shirts..and if you do not, you are almost black-balled...so what is wrong with uniforms for students..they have a ton of free time to where pants that show all and shirts that do not cover anything...