School Uniforms

School uniforms used to be strictly meant for Catholic or private schools in the United States, but they’ve been in use for many years in other countries such as Japan.  Typically, school uniforms have a generic look overall no matter what school you are speaking of.  The boys generally wear khaki pants with a blue or light colored button up shirt that must be tucked in.  They also wear dress shoes or loafers, and tennis shoes are typically not allowed.  Blazers or jackets are often worn bearing the school’s emblem on the breast of the jacket.  These jackets are typically a darker navy blue in most cases.  For girls, a skirt and socks as well as a white button up shirt are usually worn, and the shirt must be tucked in.  The skirt has to be a certain length, and anything too short will result in the girl being sent home until she can return wearing a skirt with the proper length.

Some schools do not necessarily have certain uniforms that must be worn, but they do have a very strict dress code.  For example, t-shirts with beer ads or offensive language or images can be banned.  Anything with holes or tears in it is forbidden.  Tank tops, sheer blouses, and halter tops are usually also restricted.  Flip flops or sandals are often taboo as well.  School uniforms have really gained popularity over the last decade or so with both private and public schools. With more violence happening in public schools, the use of uniforms has been said to actually assist with keeping violence down.  Fights over possessions and the way students look is much less than it was before the use of school uniforms.  Although many students are reluctant to wear uniforms, their use is a great help to many parents and teachers.