Mandatory school uniforms in rural Louisiana- why? (Many: how much, transfer)

[Vicman]

I did research on various school districts in rural Louisiana. Around the late 1990s and early 200s several of them adopted mandatory school uniforms for grades PreK-12, and there are a few that have uniforms for PreK-8.

Why are mandatory school uniforms so popular in rural Louisiana? Is it a cultural thing? Is it economics?

[blu banks]

Originally Posted by Vicman

I did research on various school districts in rural Louisiana. Around the late 1990s and early 200s several of them adopted mandatory school uniforms for grades PreK-12, and there are a few that have uniforms for PreK-8.

Why are mandatory school uniforms so popular in rural Louisiana? Is it a cultural thing? Is it economics?

are you referring to? I personnally couldnt awnser your question,but that is interesting to know. Didnt know they were mandatory it probably puts all children on level playing field in the income category I would imagine. Anyone else know?Blu Banks

[ILUVMAINE]

That's what I've heard. If all of the kids wear the same clothes, then the alledged peer pressure isn't there for those who cannot afford expensive things. I've seen this in the islands and it works there. The only problem, the school uniforms aren't cheap!

[Keeper]

Many states/cities have school uniforms for elementary and sometimes middle schools. The stated purpose is as stated, to alleviate peer pressure.
Usually in HS, they are no longer required.

I have to agree they are expensive and often hard to find after school starts.

[Vicman]

Originally Posted by Keeper

Many states/cities have school uniforms for elementary and sometimes middle schools. The stated purpose is as stated, to alleviate peer pressure.
Usually in HS, they are no longer required.

I have to agree they are expensive and often hard to find after school starts.

What's unusual in Louisiana's case is that many rural areas have uniforms; in many parts of the USA there are hardly any rural areas that adopt uniforms at all.

Texas has some rural districts that require uniforms or have strict dress codes (mainly in areas with Hispanic ethnicity), but it's not quite as extensive as in Louisiana.

[hindsight2020]

The uniform dress code is almost exclusively used in the islands. I went to private school in Puerto Rico and we used uniforms K-12. Public schools are the same way regarding dress code. It was certainly a much cheaper alternative to a wardrobe-a-year considering the trend change in 9 calendar months that requires constant re-purchasing if your kids have to keep up with the trends. It wasn't until I went off to college and saw the intricacies of high school life in the CONUS that I realized what a bargain my parents got with uniform policies. It wasn't as much a factor down there, but peer pressure is rather ridiculous up in CONUS schools, so I submit that uniforms is still cheaper than the alternative. I would love for my future children to attend uniform coded schools.

[Vicman]

1. Peer pressure to get expensive clothes (not necessairly different clothes) depends on the campus.

Also 2. Unless kids like wearing uniforms on weekends and during the summer you will still need street clothes for 7 days per week. Also peer pressure can be transferred to other things like computers, backpacks, other accessories, etc.

Originally Posted by hindsight2020

The uniform dress code is almost exclusively used in the islands. I went to private school in Puerto Rico and we used uniforms K-12. Public schools are the same way regarding dress code. It was certainly a much cheaper alternative to a wardrobe-a-year considering the trend change in 9 calendar months that requires constant re-purchasing if your kids have to keep up with the trends. It wasn't until I went off to college and saw the intricacies of high school life in the CONUS that I realized what a bargain my parents got with uniform policies. It wasn't as much a factor down there, but peer pressure is rather ridiculous up in CONUS schools, so I submit that uniforms is still cheaper than the alternative. I would love for my future children to attend uniform coded schools.

[ILUVMAINE]

Originally Posted by Vicman

1. Peer pressure to get expensive clothes (not necessairly different clothes) depends on the campus.

Also 2. Unless kids like wearing uniforms on weekends and during the summer you will still need street clothes for 7 days per week. Also peer pressure can be transferred to other things like computers, backpacks, other accessories, etc.

Sad, but oh so true. Including purses, jewelry, cell phones, AND even how much money they carry on their person!

[Laura707]

There are many programs for the lower income people to get their uniforms for free. There are drives to get outgrown uniforms donated and cleaners that will clean them for free so that the lower income childrens parents have no hardship getting them Many busisness will donate money for this cause.

What I see that it does is keeps school staff in the business of teaching rather than having to handle the kids that want to push the dress code to the limits on over. I did not approve of it when it first started but now that I have seen it, it really LOOKS impressive. That doctors child dresses just like the child who is on welfare. The only differance in the children now are their faces. I love it...

[Vicman]

1. The program thing is true - I am not sure if the colors bleed or change. That must depend on the particular uniform. Communities in many areas of rural Louisiana are very poor and run-down.

2. I personally do not believe that the polo and khaki look is "impressive" - but I don't think there's a fashion that anyone can agree on. Regardless, I'm only in favor of uniforms at schools where it is proven that the dress code would be helpful. I do not know a lot about the intricacies of the culture of rural Louisiana, so I am wondering how that affects school uniform adoption. Anyhow, in much of rural Louisiana I would assume that the doctor's kids go to the Catholic schools. Also, think of how much more emphasis could go on the faces and how this could be bad for some individuals. As for weight, if rules regarding how loose and tight clothes are become enforced, could this have a negative effect on people of certain weights? And is this a bad thing?

Also, what chance is there for the doctor's kid to have the same kind of cell phone as the kid of the Rubbermaid worker?

Originally Posted by Laura707

There are many programs for the lower income people to get their uniforms for free. There are drives to get outgrown uniforms donated and cleaners that will clean them for free so that the lower income childrens parents have no hardship getting them Many busisness will donate money for this cause.

What I see that it does is keeps school staff in the business of teaching rather than having to handle the kids that want to push the dress code to the limits on over. I did not approve of it when it first started but now that I have seen it, it really LOOKS impressive. That doctors child dresses just like the child who is on welfare. The only differance in the children now are their faces. I love it...