Mandatory school uniforms in rural Louisiana- why?

[Vicman]

BTW I found this KPLC Hot Topic: School Uniforms

[SunnyJeep]

Not every rural area has mandatory uniforms. In our area, before the uniforms were adopted for our kids, they were voted on by the parents as to whether or not we wanted them. I don't think so many parents really thought about the cost of uniforms in addition to having to buy other clothes for say, church or weekends, because there has been a bit of a fuss come up over it, and even editorials in our paper from local parents who are having fits wanting the uniform decision reversed.

As for buying uniforms, of course there are free uniform and school supplies programs, but local stores like Walmart and even the dollar stores carry uniform clothes for those shopping on a budget. I personally like the kids having uniforms - not for the look, or because of the peer pressure thing, but it makes shopping for school much easier.

About the highschool thing and uniforms... It depends on where you are, the individual school district and whether or not you are in a consolidated school. We are in a consolidated school - grades K-12 - and so our kids wear uniforms even in high school. If in doubt you can contact the school where your kid will go, or call the school board office to find out details.

[EmotionalDisaster]

I think thats bull crud. Here in LA I find I have more peer preasure with the uniform than when I wa sin a different area without the uniform.

[MetroBTR]

Originally Posted by 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!

Many districts overcome the expense of the uniforms by holding successful uniform drives, in which better-off families donate their children's still usable but outgrown uniforms. A few really generous people will go out and buy brand new uniforms to donate.

BTW...I love Maine so much!!!

[serenityyyyy]

from what i've heard it still does not alleviate peer pressure. the 'uniform' is just a solid polo with slacks. kids will still judge by the brand, the ones who get their polos from hollister still think themselves better then the ones who get theirs from wal mart and etc.

[MetroBTR]

Originally Posted by serenityyyyy

from what i've heard it still does not alleviate peer pressure. the 'uniform' is just a solid polo with slacks. kids will still judge by the brand, the ones who get their polos from hollister still think themselves better then the ones who get theirs from wal mart and etc.

Lots of schools require that shirts be a certain brand and many even have to have the school emblem on them. Also, many schools have been mandating that the pants can only be a certain brand (Dockers, for example) and they will direct you to a store that carries that brand.

[njkate]

It also makes a student intruder who does not belong there stick out like a sore thumb.
It also keeps gang members or gang wanna be's from wearing their colors ( High school)

and yes...all the kids are equal no one wearing $75 jeans and one wearing $12.99 Walmart jeans