'School uniforms should be abolished'. Write a persuasive article that either agrees or disagrees with this statement.

I believe that school uniforms are outdated, unfashionable, uncomfortable, unaffordable and therefore completely unsuitable for schools today. They create problems for carers, teachers and students alike, so why do we still have them?School uniforms were first introduced into schools in the 1600s – a period well-known in England for its kings and queens’ gruesome use of torture. While we no longer burn people at the stake, schoolchildren continue to be tortured by the same uniforms now as they were then. Our schools have changed in almost every way since then to place a greater emphasis on children as individuals; why has this not extended to the clothes they wear? Moreover, when questioned, 90% of children said that what they wore ‘formed an important part of their personal identity’. In this way, the demand that they wear school uniform prevents them making a choice that reflects their personality. Giving children this chance would lead to their greater confidence and self-esteem.Cost and comfort are also major concerns. Uniforms are often stifling and unsuited to year-round weather, meaning that pupils frequently adjust them in order to avoid discomfort. This regularly creates unnecessary disciplinary issues for pupils and teachers. Furthermore, it means students are rarely identically dressed, eliminating any of the supposed benefits of uniform clothing. However, despite the gross impracticality of school uniforms, they are regularly incredibly expensive to buy and replace, representing a needless and unappreciated financial burden for carers. For all these reasons, I think school uniforms should be abolished.

JC

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