May 23, 2024
By Rina Tishuk
Staff Writer
From elementary to high school, some academic institutions enforce policies requiring students to wear uniforms. Fortunately, LHS does not have a uniform policy as uniforms do more harm than good.
In June 2022, the Board of Education made a smart decision by eliminating Lyndhurst’s schoolwear policy, which required students to wear royal blue shirts containing the LHS insignia as well as pants and shorts in standard black, khaki or navy blue colors.
According to NorthJersey.com, the Board of Education removed the policy after receiving feedback from parents who were against it. Even though schoolwear is less formal than uniforms, they share several of the same traits.
Uniforms are a bad idea because they impede a student’s ability to express their individuality and stand out from others. The freedom to choose one’s attire for school allows students to explore and understand their personal style. Through their clothing, students can express their personalities, interests and cultures.
In college and adulthood, individuals are responsible for making their own clothing choices. Students who attend schools without uniform policies learn how to make appropriate decisions, taking a variety of circumstances into account to plan an outfit accordingly.
When schools restrict students from selecting their outfits, they also make the school feel confining and institutional. Students feel more comfortable when they are wearing their own clothes. School days are already long, so wearing one’s own clothing contributes to a sense of comfort, which makes it easier for students to pay attention in class and focus on their assignments.
Furthermore, students have different body types, so they generally feel more comfortable wearing their own clothes, which are likely to fit them better. When students are all wearing the same outfit, they compare their appearance to that of their peers. This leads to body image issues that can hurt a student’s self-esteem and raise their anxiety.
Moreover, if not provided by the school, parents have to waste money on uniforms. They are required to purchase specific pieces such as shirts, pants and skirts in addition to investing in multiple sets of uniforms to ensure their children have an adequate supply for the school week. These costs add to overall educational expenses, which include school supplies, extracurricular activities and class trips, thus putting a strain on some families’ budgets.
Most importantly, students practice a real-world skill when they select their own clothing for school. In college and adulthood, individuals are responsible for making their own clothing choices. Students who attend schools without uniform policies learn how to make appropriate decisions, taking a variety of circumstances into account to plan an outfit accordingly. They learn the importance of dressing for the occasion, and that lesson proves helpful in college and beyond.
While school boards enact uniform policies to create a productive learning environment, the restrictions are problematic. Without uniform policies, students can feel empowered to be themselves, thrive in school and feel prepared to make wise clothing choices in future academic settings and workplaces.
