e to go to school, they learn very quickly that inorder to fit in, you have to wear what all the other students are wearing. These clothingaccessories too often cost well over a persons weekly salary. All of the pressure could beeliminated if everybody dressed alike (Goldberg 23). When kids are young, they enjoy dressinglike their best friends. There are many times when children wish they could dress just like theother kids whose families were a little more wealthier. By implementing the policy in all 16,000districts throughout the United States, the school uniforms will level the playing field inclassrooms by removing the messages of social and economic status in clothes. Uniformstailored to individual schools may enhance the schools sense of community as well as thestudents self-esteem. Uniforms chosen by the school can provide students with a school identity. It can straighten school spirit and pride. This is achieved much the same way as an athletic teamuniform builds team unity. The joining together by all students will also raise the morale andself-esteem of students. Students that are together in one mind lead to a school that is united. There would no longer be the economic barrier that separates one child from another. Childrenwill no longer pick on the misfits that are different from them. Many families fear the mandatory policy of uniforms and school infringes on the studentsFirst Amendment rights of freedom of speech. Parents are afraid that children will not be able tocreate their own identity and explore who they are. Two recent court cases that involved theFirst Amendment may help decide that its a very important issue. In the Landmark case, Tinkervs. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969), the Supreme Courtempathetically asserted that school students do not shed their constitutional rights to freedom ofspeech or expression at the schoolhouse gate ( Lieberman 55 ). In 1988, the Supreme Co...
