A debate regarding the use of uniforms in public schools has been ongoing for several years. Even though the trend has been towards the use of school uniforms in recent years, there is still much debate and controversy that surrounds the .
issue. School districts adopting mandatory school uniform policies have mostly implemented them in elementary and middle schools (King, 1998). However, more school districts are requiring high school students to wear school uniforms.
The debate regarding the use of school uniforms has been mostly on an emotional level and discussions of empirical evidence have been limited. Attitudes of people seem to fall into one of three categories concerning the use of uniforms in the public school system. First, there are those that strongly advocate uniform policies. Second, there are the people that are strongly opposed to the use of school .
uniforms. Finally, there exist a group of people that favor dress codes in public schools.
Groups that advocate the use of uniforms continually argue the advantages associated with students wearing them. These groups contend that the use of uniforms affects the safety of students by reducing victimization, reducing gang violence, and identifying strangers (Brunsma and Rockquemore, 1998). Uniforms promote a sense of oneness among students and .
A Follow-up Study of Parents" 3.
They also promote conformity to organizational goals (LaPoint, Holloman, and Alleyne, 1993). Other arguments in favor of school uniforms state that uniforms increase student attendance, increase student self-confidence and esteem, and that uniforms decrease clothing costs (Caruso, 1996). Advocates also state that uniforms help to break down cultural and economic differences that exist and often divide a school (Loesch, 1995). Additionally, it has been said that the use of school uniforms increase student achievement (Brunsma and Rockquemore, 1998).