School uniforms were mostly found in private schools more than public until 1987, Cherry Hill Elementary School was the first public school to introduce mandatory school uniforms. Forty seven percent of high poverty public schools reported requiring school uniforms. Compared to six percent low poverty schools. Almost twenty percent of public schools in America now require students to wear uniforms (U.S. Department of Education). Public schools should ban mandatory school uniforms because they attract bullies, violate the first amendment, and only fuel commercial interests.

School uniforms should be banned because they attract bullies. A 1999 study conducted by experts from Texas Southern University showed that bullying incidents increased by as much as twelve percent since the mandatory uniform was implied. This study supports my claim because if uniforms were never introduced those twelve percent of bully incidents would've never happened. Another study in 2007 published in the Southwest Journal of Criminal Justice stated that assaults increased by as much as fourteen assaults yearly. A fact that also links on to this fact is that according to the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Office of Education, fights nearly doubled since the introduction of school uniforms. None of these incidents would’ve happened if school uniforms were never mandatory. What happened to freedom of expression?
     

My second reason school uniforms should be banned is that it violates the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The first amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees that all individuals have the right to express themselves freely. School uniforms restrict the student's right of freedom of expression. Us students should be able to wear what we feel expresses our personalities. In October of 2013 students that attended Friendly High School located in Prince George’s County weren't allowed to wear pink to support breast cancer awareness. The students that felt that wasn't fair acted on it. As a result seventy five students received in school suspension for not following rules. This fact supports my claim because the seventy five kids that received in school suspension were just expressing themselves. By requiring uniforms, it makes it harder for students to express who they are. Clothing choices are “A crucial form of self-expression. Allowing students to choose their clothing is an empowering message from the schools that a student is a maturing person who is entitled to the most basic self-determination.” -American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada. In my opinion schools only force uniforms on students to make money.
My final reason is school uniforms only fuel commercial interests. “Americans shell out a whopping one million dollars on uniforms every year!” -Listland. One million dollars is enough to buy the whole Chicago Cubs organization. That one million dollars could’ve went anywhere else except school uniforms. In 2003 alone, uniform company Lands’ End spent three million dollars on marketing efforts directed at public schools and districts. Multiple studies used to promote the effectiveness of uniforms were partly funded by Lands End (David L. Brunsma, PhD). Retailer J.C. Penney Co. says school uniforms are “A huge, important business for us.” I can't imagine where J.C. Penney would be at financial without school uniforms.
    

I believe we shouldn't have to wear uniforms but there are some that think otherwise.
Schools should require uniforms because they can save parents money.
Parents should be free to choose what their child wears to school.
Students can express their individuality in school uniforms by introducing variations and adding accessories.
I understand that but uniforms promote conformity over individuality.
   

Public schools should no longer require uniforms because they attract bullies, violate the 1st amendment, and only fuel commercial interests. If we were allowed to vote I would vote no to school uniforms. What would you vote?

Works Cited
"American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Nevada - School Uniforms - ProCon.org." ProConorg Headlines. Web. 05 Jan. 2016.
"David L. Brunsma, PhD - School Uniforms - ProCon.org." ProConorg Headlines. Web. 05 Jan. 2016.
"Fast Facts." Fast Facts. Web. 08 Jan. 2016.
"School Uniforms - ProCon.org." ProConorg Headlines. Web. 05 Jan. 2016.
"Top 10 Reasons School Uniforms Should Be Banned." Top 10 Lists ListLandcom. 16 Feb. 2015. Web. 05 Jan. 2016.
"Top 10 Reasons School Uniforms Should Be Mandatory." Top 10 Lists ListLandcom. 30 Sept. 2014. Web. 05 Jan. 2016.