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School Uniforms

I accept this debate. The first and most obvious problem with uniforms is that they detract from student individuality and self-expression. A big part of schools is the social aspect and school uniforms limit that. Kids want to be able to show who they are and uniforms don't allow for that. It would be hypocritical for schools to celebrate diversity in culture and background then tell all the students that they must all be the same. For these reasons, uniforms are generally quite unpopular with students, mainly those in high school. The next reason is a direct result of the first. Because the students can't show individuality through their choice in clothing, they will show it through less desirable methods. These methods include altering the uniforms, tattoos, piercings, etc..., which kind of defeats the purpose of the uniforms. The final problem with the uniforms would be the difficulty in enforcing it. While most students would wear the uniforms, many would modify or incorrectly wear them, as I said above. This would cause teachers to have to be constantly on the watch for all the small details every day. They would cause the teachers more trouble than they're worth. On to my opponent's arguments! My opponent first says that uniforms may be expensive, but they stop bullying. She is right when she says that they can be expensive for poorer parents, which helps my case. The part about uniforms stopping bullying, on the other had, is incorrect. Uniforms may reduce bullying for the way the victim dresses, but they do not solve the root problem. Bullies will find other reasons to pick on kids, so the bullying argument doesn't help the Pro. My opponent also says that uniforms will reduce the amount of time it takes to get ready in the morning, which is true, but this is not important enough to be considered a real argument. Saving a few minutes in the morning is not important when weighed with the other issues here.