• School girls in uniformTeenagers reading book image by Monika 3 Steps Ahead from Fotolia.com
  
  Many public school districts across the nation are engaged in a heated debate about whether to make school uniforms mandatory for students. Creating a school uniform policy will, in supporters' eyes, bring about a more positive school experience, with an increase in academic performance and less crime and bullying. Those opposed to school uniforms, however, believe there is not enough strong evidence to support requiring uniforms. They argue that there are disadvantages to mandatory uniforms.
  
  

Loss of Individuality

• The implementation of school uniforms lessens students' sense of individuality, say those who are against mandatory uniforms. Many children express themselves outwardly through their wardrobe, and if they are forced to dress exactly like the other students, their self-expression is hindered. This forced sameness of school uniforms lessens students' abilities to learn to work with others who may be different than themselves. In addition, many people opposed to school uniforms feel that this loss of individuality brought upon by uniforms sends students the message that conforming is the best way to solve any problems.
  
  

High Cost

• Uniforms give families with school-age children an additional expense. On top of purchasing clothes for everyday use, families would have to buy several school uniforms for their children if uniforms were to become mandatory in public schools. This expense would become even greater for families with more than one school-age child. In addition to having to buy two separate wardrobes for children, families would also have to worry about the extra cost of laundering uniforms. Many families may not be able to afford many uniforms per child and thus would need to wash their child's uniforms more often. This can lead to higher expenses for laundry detergent as well as higher utility bills.
  
  

Masking Real Problems

• While the implementation of uniforms is seen as a way to curb some of the more common problems that occur in public school, many feel that forcing students to wear uniforms simply glosses over the actual problems. Uniforms may be viewed as a way to prevent clothing-based teasing, but in many cases, students will find other reasons to pick on one another. While they may prevent an obvious sign of gangs in school, the gangs will still be around. Many students who are having trouble at home or elsewhere show outward signs of this in their manner of dress; by taking away this distress sign, teachers may not be able to get students the help they need.