The argument whether uniforms should be implemented in school has been debated over By implementing a uniform policy within schools would help reduce therise of violent crimes. In todays high schools, too many innocent youths become fatalities dueto gang warfare that has spread into the school system. Many parents feel that if a uniformpolicy was implemented , the spread of gang warfare and the idea that children have to havename brand clothing would decrease drastically. However others are worried that this policywould infringe on students First Amendment Rights with expressing themselves. Many parentsare worried that the uniforms will cost too much and they will only burden their economic status. Uniforms will either give the school strength or separate the students and parents from theadministration.Proponents of uniforms argue that the widespread violence in schools is due largely togangs. They believe that the distinctive gang colors and symbols are used it intimidate non-gangmembers and reinforce gang allegiance. Gang members are often found wearing clothing withprofessional sports team logos on them. Children who wear this type of clothing do so onlybecause they like it or because everyone else is wearing it. Jim Steinberg of the San DiegoExaminer believes that, They have become a fashion statement and sometimes a gangstatement(Sauewein 1). This is why so many parents want the schools to go to a mandatoryuniform policy. Many parents believe that if children wear uniforms, the violence in schoolswould drop significantly. Long Beach Unified School District was the first large school districtin the United States to implement a mandatory uniform policy. In 1994, the Long BeachUnified School District in California became the nations first, large urban district to require allits elementary and middle school students to wear uniforms. School crime has plunged 76percent since, says spokesman Dick Van Der Laan. Attendance...
