One of the commonly cited reasons for instituting a school uniform policy is that uniforms help keep students on task and not worrying about what other students might be wearing.
It has been argued that required school uniforms reduce the impact of socioeconomic level on students. When students wear the same clothing, the hypothetical line separating the well-off students from the less well-off is blurred. This argument asserts that uniforms level the playing field because students in school uniforms are more alike than different.
Proponents of school uniforms argue that issues in schools centering on gang activity are reduced when gang attire is not permitted.
Supporters of the school uniform argue that the cost of school uniforms is significantly less than buying children multiple outfits. The savings are better put toward more important family needs than prestige resulting from having the latest style.
The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution speaks to the freedom of expression. Opponents of school uniforms often argue that school uniforms violate students' rights under the First Amendment.
When a school has a school uniform policy, teachers and administrators often spend significant time enforcing the policy and less time instructing or administering.
In their school years, students should be learning to make responsible choices about clothing. School uniforms negate this learning opportunity.
When school uniforms are used to blur the lines of socioeconomic differences, students are not given the opportunity to learn about difference and how to accept differences in others.