Pros and Cons of School UniformsWhen our ancestors wrote the Declaration of Independence, included in the document was the statement that, being created equal, we all have certain unalienable rights. These include “…Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” (National Archives and Records Administration, 2014) The Declaration was created in response to an oppressive ruler who wanted to control all aspects of people's lives. School uniforms represent an attempt to control the young population that attends school. As a form of control, school uniforms limit the outward expression of a person's unique individuality. When I talk about school uniforms limiting children's outward expression, I am referring to the fact that they are not able to express their personality through their clothes. The styles you choose, the colors, the texture of the fabric, the accessories, come together to create a projection of yourself. Through your clothes you communicate your personality. When I also talk about reducing social barriers, I'm talking about a student who is excluded or looked down on because he or she doesn't wear what everyone else calls "cool." In this case, their choice of clothing separates them from others and prevents them from socializing. The first major positive argument in favor of school uniforms is that uniforms would save both parents and children time in the morning. Children shouldn't have to think about what to wear in the morning. Parents would save time because they would not have to waste time taking their children to buy clothes for school. (School Uniforms Pros and Cons, 2010) The time saved would be worth the loss of the child's ability to express himself through... medium of paper... mother England. Requiring uniforms takes us back to when we were controlled by someone else. It brings us back to where we were when we were told what to do and not given a choice. Uniforms represent a form of control to which we should not subject anyone. Being able to choose and express yourself is the foundation on which our country was built. Overall, after discussing the pros and cons on this topic, I believe that school uniforms should not be required. This goes against everything our country was built on. We may require and expect students to dress appropriately in clothing of their choice. We can expect them to be responsible for their appearance. Our ancestors took an enormous risk to create the colonies that would become the United States of America. We should stand for what they stood for and defend what we know is right…freedom of expression.