students should wear uniforms persuasive essay

Essays About School Uniforms: Top 5 Examples And Prompts

Uniforms are a hotly-debated topic in schools worldwide; if you are writing essays about school uniforms, get inspired by reading our essay examples and writing prompts. 

School uniforms have been an education emblem for centuries; they are commonplace in primary and secondary school. They are a set of clothing that students attending a particular institution must wear during school hours and are said to encourage discipline, unity, and belonging, among other things.

However, they are a significant point of contention. As time has passed, more and more schools have discontinued their requirements for uniforms, which has sparked a heated debate over their necessity. 

If you want to write essays about school uniforms, look at the examples and writing prompts below to start. 

1. I believe students should not have to wear uniforms. by Evan

2. taking a new look at uniforms and their impact on schools by james sterngold, 3. uniforms: the pros and cons by grace chen, 4. what’s the point of school uniform by rudolph carroll, 5. not wearing the trousers: why do some schools still have sexist uniform rules by hadley freeman, 1. should school uniforms be a requirement , 2. how do school uniforms effect behaviour, 3. what’s the history and purpose of school uniforms, 4. are school uniform requirements a form of indoctrination , 5. what are the advantages of school uniforms.

“When wearing uniforms, it is a struggle to be an individual. Teachers are always saying how important it is to just be ourselves and not worry about what others might think. Having a uniform takes that away from us, and this may lead students to try to find other ways to be different. They might begin to act out so they stick out from the crowd.”

In his essay, Evan explains his opposition to school uniform requirements, including the loss of individuality and confidence. He believes that they add too much stress to an already stressful environment and that this unnecessary burden can be alleviated with a dress code. It regulates students’ clothing while still allowing them to choose and will teach them responsibility in choosing what to wear. 

”There is no direct link between uniforms and performance,’ Mr. Flanary said, ‘’but we know there is a link between the school environment and performance. Uniforms might be one way of affecting the environment, but just one.”

Sterngold writes about the introduction of uniforms at a Long Beach school. It leads to higher grades and fewer absences, and disciplinary issues. He also discusses other schools in which uniform policies appear to work in making students “better.” Finally, he notes that the school environment affects a student’s performance. 

“Deciding whether uniforms are right for your child depends upon individual circumstances. If your child has a high need for self-expression and personal comfort in her clothing, then uniforms may create unhealthy resentment and result in negative behaviors from your child.”

In her essay, Chen lists the advantages and disadvantages of uniforms in public schools. They establish a safer learning environment and may reduce gang-related violence, but they restrict comfort and self-expression. Ultimately, she leaves it up to parents to decide whether uniforms are essential, depending on their children’s personalities. 

“Imagine having to wear school uniforms everyday. The same dress code every week., the same color pants and shirts every week. Uniforms especially those that have color and style requirements for every part of the outfit are not easy for many parents to afford. Students should be able to have a choice to wear whatever they want.”

Carroll advocates for the banning of school uniforms. He writes that they suppress freedom of expression and force students to wear something they may not find comfortable; they should be able to express themselves and wear whatever they want. 

“Doubtless, some people out there will say – some waggishly, others less so – that if girls should be allowed to wear trousers at school then boys should be able to wear dresses. My personal feeling on that is, sure, boys can wear dresses if they want but women’s clothing, from skirts to stilettos, was designed to restrict women’s movement, whereas men’s clothing is all about freedom. ”

Freeman writes about school uniform policies she feels are discriminatory. For example, some schools do not allow girls to wear trousers and impose a standard on their female students. She believes that young children should be able to behave freely, including in their dressing habits. Freeman believes that the world’s standard of femininity has become more open, and the idea that girls must wear skirts is outdated.

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Why students should not wear uniforms essay sample, example.

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School uniforms and why students wear them has been a topic of concern and debate for as long as these clothes have been around. Though people who argue that wearing uniforms in educational institutions make people appear all equal, give a sense of community, and teach discipline, I believe there are more disadvantages to wearing uniforms than advantages. Namely, demanding students to adorn uniforms takes away freedom, they are often uncomfortable, they are a waste of money, they promote conformity over individuality, and children’s self-image is damaged more when they wear uniforms at school.

The Legal Argument: How School Uniforms Conflict with Freedom of Expression

Most developed countries, like the United States of America, believe in one’s right to freedom of expression. Making it mandatory for students to give up their right to express themselves through clothing is wrong. According to ProCon.org, “The First Amendment of the US Constitution guarantees that all individuals have the right to express themselves freely. The US Supreme Court stated in Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (7-2, 1969) that “it can hardly be argued that either students or teachers shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” In the 1970 case Richards v. Thurston (3-0), which revolved around a boy refusing to have his hair cut shorter, the US First Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that “compelled conformity to conventional standards of appearance” does not “seem a justifiable part of the educational process”’ (“School Uniforms – ProCon.org”). So, not only is the demand to wear uniforms in a sense unconstitutional, it also goes against rulings by the Supreme Court. In this way, it can be said that making uniforms in schools mandatory is un-American.

Practical, Financial, and Social Concerns: The Downside of Implementing School Uniforms

On the side of practicality, uniforms are often seen as less comfortable than normal clothes. They can be tight and not adjustable to different weather conditions. The temperatures in winter and summer can be unbearable in a standard school uniform. Many students have expressed through surveys that they do not feel comfortable in their uniforms, and that this type of clothing does not adjust well to varying weather conditions (“Research on School Uniforms – It’s Clear, They Disadvantage Girls”).

Another practical concern is that paying for uniforms wastes the money of parents, when their children can simply wear the clothes they have. Also, schools could be selling uniforms for more than necessary. In the United Kingdom, for instance, the Guardian reports that, “Parents could be spending millions of pounds more than they need to on school uniforms because of exclusive deals between schools and suppliers, the government’s competition watchdog has warned. Headteachers and school governing bodies were told by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on Thursday that they must let parents “shop around” for affordable uniforms for their children, using supermarkets if they wish rather than be forced to buy more expensive items in exclusive arrangements with suppliers” (Smithers, Rebecca). This means that not only do parents have to spend extra money on an outfit, but also the uniforms schools are selling are overpriced.

Leaning more into the abstract, uniforms promote conformity instead of individuality. A sense of individuality is key in democratic societies. It should be nurtured when young. According to ProCon.org, “At a time when schools are encouraging an appreciation of diversity, enforcing standardized dress sends a contradictory message. In schools where uniforms are specifically gendered (girls must wear skirts and boys must wear pants), transgendered, gender-fluid, and gender-nonconforming students can feel ostracized” (“School Uniforms – ProCon.org”). So, in order for each person to not feel the pressure of societal conformity, it is important that schools keep a sense of diversity.

Lastly, many students feel they do not look their best in uniforms. That’s due to the fact that uniforms fit the mold of certain body types, and curvier or plus-size individuals often feel out of place and uncomfortable in uniforms. Wearing uniforms lends itself to more comparison, and children who do not fit the mold of a “normal” student in terms of body type are commonly ridiculed by classmates (Flam, Lisa).

Though there are some benefits to wearing uniforms in school, I believe there are more disadvantages than advantages to using them. This is because they strip away freedom, they are uncomfortable, it is a waste of money to buy them, they celebrate conformity over individuality, and the self-image of children is damaged more when they wear uniforms. Let us keep our schools constitutional by allowing students to wear what they deem expresses their unique personality, within the limits of appropriateness.

• Enhance student safety and deter crime
• Shift students’ focus to their education, not their clothing
• Foster a sense of equality among students by creating a level playing field and reducing peer pressure and bullying
• Instill school pride, unity, and community spirit
• Improve attendance and discipline, contributing to a more productive learning environment
• Streamline dress code enforcement, saving valuable classroom time and resources
• Eliminate the display of gang colors and insignia
• Facilitate easier preparation for school, potentially improving punctuality and decreasing stress
• Reduce the financial burden on parents by providing a cost-effective alternative to regular clothing
• Gain widespread support from parents and educators for mandatory uniform policies
• Respect students’ legal right to free expression even with a uniform policy in place
• Enhance students’ image among teachers and peers when dressed in uniform
• Allow for personal expression through various accessories and small modifications to the standard uniform.
• School uniforms may limit students’ ability to express themselves.
• School uniforms may prioritize conformity over individuality.
• School uniforms alone may not effectively address bullying and may even exacerbate violent behavior.
• There is insufficient evidence to support the touted benefits of school uniforms.
• The key findings used to tout the benefits of uniforms are questionable.
• School uniforms may highlight economic disparities rather than bridge them.
• Many students are opposed to school uniforms.
• School uniforms may negatively impact students’ self-image.
• Overemphasizing school uniforms may distract from more significant educational issues that need to be addressed.
• The push for school uniforms is driven by commercial interests rather than educational ones.
• Parents should be allowed to make their own choices about their children’s clothing without undue government intervention.
• School uniforms in public schools may present an additional financial burden to families, undermining the promise of free education.
• School uniforms may delay the development of students’ sense of personal style and independence.

Of course, the question of school uniform is still open to discussions. Such questions are hugely popular topics for persuasive essays. If you need more help and inspiration, or additional examples of works, you can look through top essay writing service reviews to find them. And don’t forget to cite any work that you use as a reference (as shown below). You can get help from a Vancouver style reference generator to create a list according to the needed formatting standards.

Works Cited

“School Uniforms – ProCon.org.” ProConorg Headlines, school-uniforms.procon.org/.

“Research on School Uniforms – It’s Clear, They Disadvantage Girls.” Girls’ Uniform Agenda, 27 July 2017, girlsuniformagenda.org/2017/06/14/research-girls-school-uniforms-clear-discriminate/.

Smithers, Rebecca. “Parents Pay Millions More than Needed for School Uniforms, Says Watchdog.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 15 Oct. 2015, www.theguardian.com/money/2015/oct/15/school-uniforms-cost-parents-pay-millions-more-than-needed.

Flam, Lisa. “Are School Uniforms Helping or Hindering?” Today.com, Aug. 19, 2013.

What impact do uniforms have on students’ individuality and self-expression?

School uniforms may impact students’ individuality and self-expression. Uniforms create a level of conformity among learners, which some argue limits their ability to express their unique identities. The standard attire may restrict the pupils’ ability to demonstrate their creativity, personal style, and individuality, which is a key part of their identity. However, some students might find other ways to express their self-assurance and individuality while wearing a uniform, such as through accessories or unique hairstyles.

Do school uniforms create a distraction-free learning environment?

The argument for uniforms often asserts that they minimize distractions in the educational environment by creating a sense of unity and removing the pressure to dress in certain ways. However, it’s important to note that uniforms alone may not eliminate all sources of disruption and tension among pupils. For instance, issues like bullying may persist regardless of what students are wearing.

How do uniforms affect students’ confidence and self-esteem?

The impact of uniforms on students’ self-assurance and poise can be twofold. On one hand, uniforms may enhance confidence by removing social pressure to dress in fashionable or expensive clothes. On the other hand, compulsory outfits can negatively impact self-esteem if students feel uncomfortable or unattractive in the standard attire, especially if it doesn’t fit their body type or personal style.

What are the guidelines for implementing a school uniform policy?

Implementing a school uniform policy involves clear guidelines and regulations. These rules should be communicated effectively to all learners and their parents. They need to cover all aspects, such as the exact dress code, the occasions when the uniform should be worn, the consequences of not adhering to the policy, and any possible exceptions or adjustments. The responsibility for enforcing these policies usually lies with school administration and educators.

Do school uniforms add stress and financial burden to students’ families?

School uniforms could potentially add stress and financial pressure to families. Purchasing the required attire, especially if it’s overpriced due to exclusive arrangements between schools and suppliers, could impose a financial burden. Furthermore, the obligation to follow the uniform guidelines and keep the clothing in good condition can also contribute to household stress.

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there are other ways, like a name tag with their id and school.

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You guys are dumb children need to wear uniforms to see who is in the school who from the school is lost and much more.

There’s this thing we call an id, and what’s the purpose of an id? oh right for identification PURPOSES!!!

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School Uniforms Essay | Short and Long Essays, Importance and Benefits of School Uniforms

School Uniforms Essay: School uniforms should be utilized in educational systems. Uniforms are both as useful for schools just as for the pupils. Wearing outfits will help construct a feeling of solidarity inside the school. Rather than everybody as a different group, everybody will be in a similar group. Wearing regalia will help free pupils of the pressure of what to wear in the first part of the day. Wearing school outfits will help improve understudy distinction and improve their confidence. To start with, wearing coordinating outfits can cause pupils to feel equivalent. Helpless pupils would at this point don’t feel rejected on the grounds that they are not wearing name-brand garments like the more extravagant children.

You can read more  Essay Writing  about articles, events, people, sports, technology many more.

What is a School Uniform?

In straightforward words, we comprehend that the Uniform or material which is recommended by the school for pupils to wear in school is called school uniform. Generally in all schools uniform is mandatory.The Uniform gives balance and comparability between the pupils, everything being equal. These days, all schools keep the principles of wearing a normalized uniform for all pupils.

How to Write a School Uniform Essay?

To write an essay students should know the proper format. Also, they should be well aware of the topic on which they have to write the essay. Writing an essay on school uniforms requires the knowledge of the merits and demerits of wearing a school uniform. Students should list down the advantages of uniforms in schools.

Remember these points while writing the essay on school uniform:

• Give introduction on school uniform in the first paragraph
• Explain the advantages and disadvantages of wearing a school uniform
• Explain how wearing a uniform brings changes in students
• Conclude the essay in the last paragraph

Short Essay on School Uniform 150 Words in English

School uniforms are the solitary most apparent fundamental components of any school. We can distinguish the understudy by assessing their regalia.

It is said that, in the sixteenth century, Christ’s Hospital School originally utilized the school uniform. There has been a discussion everywhere in the world on whether the subject of school uniforms is positive or negative. Common liberties activists say that school uniforms are removing their opportunity of wearing anything. In guard, the School Committee says they give a school uniform to instruct them in order and solidarity.

School uniforms can build the pay of a custom-fitted local area. And furthermore, a business organization can bring in cash by creating school regalia. School uniforms are a conventional clothing standard including a shirt and full gasp for young men and pullovers and creased skirts for young ladies. School dress can lessen fabric harassment.

Yet in addition, these days youngsters are more cognizant about their design sense and sexual direction, so they don’t prefer to wear a similar unisex clothing standard. However, after every one of those contentions and dubious speculations, we can say, school regalia are as a matter of fact pride for an understudy.

Long Essay on School Uniform 650 Words

Schools are instructive establishments where kids go not exclusively to learn course readings however to develop as a general person. Schools likewise have the assignment of showing youngsters the desire for garments and mention to them what is proper for what event. School outfits are a basic type of garments for pupils during their visit at school during school hours, and outside during true school exercises. A school uniform is normal in a large portion of the schools. They have direct requests to wear the school uniform as a matter of course.

The necessity of School Uniform

Initially, school is where we all progress at an extremely youthful age. In a single word, life starts at school. It’s schooling, as well as school, gives us the stage to sustain our confidence, feelings in the beginning phase of life. The significance of making companions, functioning as a group we get familiar with every one of these in school. What’s more, wearing a similar dress unquestionably brings a feeling of solidarity among pupils. In each school, there are pupils from various foundations yet with the school uniform everybody becomes one-the lone character rules at that point is every one of them is the delegate of a similar school. This is an incredible inclination of harmony. This likewise assists kids with defeating the inadequacy (or predominance) complex which here and their kids have due to the climate they have been raised in. School outfits streak out a large portion of the drops of social contentions.

As school makes our crucial nuts and bolts of the future it is critical to cause one to feel as a piece of the school. A youngster with a specific school uniform constantly feels that he has a place with the school. It makes the youngster more cognizant about his distinction which thus helps to build fearlessness. A kid would be more thoughtful to his kindred cohort who has a similar uniform as his. As referenced before there would be consistently a blended group in each school. Some of them are rich, some have a place with the upper working class and some lower than that-this distinction remains all over, aside from those 8 hours in school due to the school uniform. The supposed status cognizance doesn’t exist with this.

Benefits of School Uniform

Another admirable sentiment comes up while examining the benefits of school uniform is younger students go through two most significant progress times of life in school-they burn through 12 long a long time in school-from adolescence to teen, from adolescent to youth-the school observer the progressions ( both physical and mental) happen inside one. During these changes, somebody barely thinks often about the world. That time there is a propensity among us all to disrupt the norm which should be managed cautiously and strategically.

Now wearing school regalia assumes a quiet yet urgent part in our lives. It ingrains a profound established feeling of control in the psyche mind. Subsequently, typically even the riskiest formally dressed understudy wonders whether or not to do any underhandedness outside the school as the moment suspected plays to him that he will let down his school with his activity. School uniform assists an understudy with focusing on his necessities-where school and scholastics start things out.

Even after some elegantly composed diagrams of papers on school uniforms, the contention on whether a school uniform abuses the pupils’ privilege of articulation will stay a ceaseless conversation. Be that as it may, truly, wearing of regalia should all rely upon the conditions and the picture a given school is attempting to depict. In any case, the significance of school uniforms appears to win the day today even as I compose this end and surprisingly after so many school uniform articles have been composed. On the last note, we should attempt to discover perpetual methods of tackling the developing issues looked at by pupils. We ought not to depend on school regalia to swipe the issues away from view, this does the pupils nothing but bad.

Importance of School Uniform

The uniform is a necessary piece of our life. The dress is a character of somebody. Through the dress, we become acquainted with which school the understudy is. The educator has a crucial part in picking a dress. He chooses the school uniform by taking a gander at all the classes. Uniform symbols, alongside schooling, order, and decorum help in altering the state and course of society.

Wearing legitimate clothing expands our trust in the public arena since it positively affects our work and thinking. These days, our local area has gotten a matter of rivalry for our kids. It appears to be that their dress is influencing them every day.

The wearing of our kids has additionally become an essential factor somewhat for the criminal occurrences occurring in the public eye. In an understudy’s life, the educator and parent are the types of God. School dress is viewed as a recipe for equity.

Advantages of School Uniform

• School uniforms are a need in many schools to achieve consistency in pupils.
• School uniform binds together all pupils, paying little heed to their social, strict, and monetary foundation.
• It imparts a feeling of having a place in the pupils.
• It assists with restraining pupils and keeps everything under control since they are not occupied by their special garments.
• pupils don’t have to object about what to wear each day in the event that they have school regalia.
• It is hard for low-pay families to purchase school regalia each spending year, and it might make a strain in their financial plan.
• School outfits force consistency and consequently make pupils a mass of anonymous kids and with no singularity.
• It is hard for pupils to check their friend’s monetary condition in the event that they are wearing school dresses.
• pupils can be not kidding about their examinations and figure out how to endeavor to be deserving of the custom.
• School dress can make pupils unoriginal.

FAQ’s on Schools Uniforms Essay

Question 1. What students should wear uniforms in school?

Answer: Uniforms are both as useful for schools just as for the pupils. Wearing uniforms will help fabricate a feeling of loneliness inside the school. To start with, wearing coordinating uniforms can cause pupils to feel equivalent. Helpless pupils would presently don’t feel barred in light of the fact that they are not wearing name-brand garments like the more extravagant children.

Question 2. How to write an essay on a school uniform?

Answer: Start with an introduction, discuss the debate going on school uniforms by students, write the cons and pros of school uniforms. Explains the advantages and changes that wearing a school uniform can bring in students. End the essay with a conclusion.

Question 3. What is good about school uniforms?

Answer: School uniforms have been demonstrated to raise test scores, support confidence, diminish savagery and wrongdoing, and make a feeling of freshly discovered pride in pupils. They assist youngsters with zeroing in on learning and homework, not on the thing every other person is wearing or whether they fit in. Outfits are not the answer for the entirety of the issues that adolescents, instructors, and schools face today, however, examination and insights propose that they might be a positive development.

Question 4. Should students wear school uniforms?

Answer: Yes, all students should wear school uniforms since it represents discipline and equality among students in school.

Should Students Wear School Uniforms Essay (Tips and Sample)

School uniforms are a hotly contested debate, which makes it a controversial topic preferred for school essays. Even though writing a school uniform essay should be easy, students' confessions after being assigned both long and short essays on school uniform show mixed results. Most students who have been given an essay on school uniforms have highlighted it as exciting and tricky.

Well, to write an essay that will score you an excellent grade, you need to understand your perspective, viewpoint, or stand before writing. As yourself, whether you will support school uniforms or you will be against them in your essay.

In most cases, the essay can be argumentative where you argue either for or against, then proceed to state your stand on whether or not you support school uniforms in learning institutions. You can also write an informative essay or a persuasive school uniform essay.

This article covers some aspects to consider when writing such an essay, some suitable topics, and general advice on how to write an outstanding school uniforms essay.

How to begin a School Uniforms Essay

You aim to demystify the school uniforms debate. Therefore, you need to strategize on how to begin the essay. Like other essays, starting with an essay hook would make it interesting to the readers. After the hook, head straight to writing some background information on school uniforms. You can then incorporate a thesis statement that presents your central stance on the paper.

Here is a sample school uniform hook:

A recent study by North Dakota State University revealed that an average American household spends close to 3.8% of their income on clothing, translating to approximately $2000 annually per household.

The hook above is essential when you argue from a cost perspective where you say that school uniforms save families from expenditures on buying different clothes for kids, which equalizes the rich and poor households.

In your background, you can try reference instances when school uniforms have stirred public debates. Inform your reader about these debates and highlight the key issues you will handle in your essay.

At the end of the introduction paragraph, state your thesis statement.

What goes to the body of a school uniform essay?

With the introduction done, you now need to develop the body paragraphs. As a general rule, always maintain a single idea per paragraph. If you are doing your essay in a five-paragraph essay format, ensure that the body of your essay takes 80% of the total word count while the introduction and the conclusion each take 10%.  

Here are some key ideas you can incorporate in the body of your essay:

• Explain the essence of having school uniforms on students, teachers, and learning institutions. Issues such as security and safety, uniformity, and promoting togetherness or unity as benefits. It is easy to spot a student in uniform. School uniforms also enforce some self-respect and self-worth among students. As well, uniforms foster a sense of belonging among students.
• Explore the issue from a cost-saving perspective for the parents. Unlike having different clothes daily, having a few pieces of school uniforms reduces the expenditure per household.
• Connect school uniforms to issues such as creativity, comfort, and affordability. Lack of funds, for instance, can hinder some families from sending their children to school as they have no school uniforms.
• You can also present the pros and cons of school uniforms
• Connect the school uniforms to identity formation
• School uniforms equalize students, which boosts their self-confidence
• School uniform makes students not be imaginative
• In the end, present recommendations that can solve the school uniform quagmire in schools

Like any other essay, ensure that your essay about school uniforms is engaging. Take a multi-stakeholder approach if you are recommending a policy.

If you have real-life examples of how school uniforms are beneficial, present them to support your body paragraphs. As you strive to present your viewpoints, ensure that each paragraph transitions to the next paragraph.

If possible, benchmark your arguments on schools that have successfully implemented school uniforms.

How to end an essay on school uniform

Like the introduction, the conclusion of your essay matters a lot. It can be the only place a marker checks to know what your stance was when writing your school uniforms essay.

Let your readers know whether school uniforms are good or not. Do not just stop there explore the why and why not for each of your points.

If there are recommendations, especially if you were writing an essay based on a school uniforms case study, present them in the conclusion.

DO not introduce new ideas that are not in your essay. However, crystalize and relate to your thesis and make sure your readers enjoy your essay to the last dot.

Sample School Uniforms Essay Topics

School uniform essays differ in perspective or stance, which hugely depends on the choice of topic. We can advise you to choose a school essay topic that has practical points and one that you can support with evidence from scholarly literature.

• Is school uniform a good thing?
• The importance of school uniforms
• Should students wear uniforms?
• Pros and Cons of school uniforms
• The negative impacts of school uniforms
• Rhetorical analysis of school uniforms
• Positive effects of school uniforms
• Are school uniforms a dress for success?
• Why schools should have uniforms
• History of school dress code
• School uniforms in private and public schools
• Should all schools have the same uniform?
• Are school uniforms necessary?
• School uniforms and diversity
• School uniforms and student discipline
• Comparison of school uniforms in U.S. and Japan

School Uniforms Essay Check List

With your essay written, ensure that it ticks most if not all these lists of facts that make a school uniform score great grades.

• Does the essay have a great hook?
• Is the background of your introduction relatable to the selected topic?
• Does the introduction have supporting facts from scholarly sources?
• Does your introduction have a clear thesis statement?
• Is the main idea clearly illustrated in the body?
• Does each body paragraph have an idea of its own?
• Does the essay have transition words for effective flow?
• Does the body discuss important concepts?
• Is the body paragraph having an opening sentence, facts, and closing sentence?
• Has all borrowed information been cited?
• Does the essay have strong evidence?
• Is the essay grammatically correct?
• Is the conclusion a summary of the argument?
• Has the thesis been restated?
• Is the conclusion flowing with the body of the essay?
• Has the essay used formal language?
• Are the sentences free from unnecessary words?
• Is the grammar and spelling in the essay correct?
• Are the references correct?
• Are the references recent?
• Are the sources used credible?
• Does the essay have a title and reference page?

Sample Argumentative Essay on Should Students Wear School Uniforms

Disclaimer – DO NOT COPY this sample essay. It is meant to help you see how you can present your essay ideas given your perspective/viewpoint. Submitting any part of this essay as your own might land you in trouble. We will not be in any way be a party to such consequences. If you need a model essay based on your selected topic for research purposes, please place an order or contact our support team for assistance with outlines, potential references, and some ideas on writing an excellent essay on school uniforms.

Numerous debates have been carried out on whether students should wear uniforms or not. Parents, teachers, students, and school administrations have all given their views on school uniforms with different arguments and opinions on all sides. Supporters of school uniforms argue that school uniforms are essential as they give students an identity and foster discipline, while others argue that uniforms are annoying, uncomfortable, and lack creativity. Regardless of the position one takes on students wearing uniforms, it is clear that uniforms are an essential part of students, and students wearing uniforms is more advantageous to both the students and schools. Thus, all students should wear uniforms as the uniforms instill a sense of discipline and identity, erase differences between the students, and are less costly (thesis statement)

School uniforms eliminate the differences between students in regard to their social and economic backgrounds ( School uniforms promote equality ) . Schools have students from different social and economic backgrounds. The school environment has students from both poor and rich families. Hence, uniforms are important as they are modest and identical clothing that propagate a sense of equality among the students (Freeburg and Workman, 6). Accordingly, all students should wear school uniforms to avoid a situation where some students feel inadequate for being able to afford expensive clothing like their more affluent counterparts. A learning environment and education, in general, are supposed to bridge the social-economic differences that exist in society.

Parents can save much money that would otherwise go to buying a wide variety of school clothes for their children ( school uniforms save parents money spent on clothing ). School uniforms provide a cheaper and more consistent alternative to regular clothing. If students are allowed to wear regular clothing to school, parents and guardians have to buy clothes that are in line with the latest fashion trends and the individual tastes of their children, both of which can be expensive. In this case, students should wear school uniforms that are affordable and identical to save parents money that can be used for more important things (Baumann and Krskova 1003). Affordability is essential for parents considering the enormous expenses associated with bringing up children in the modern era. Therefore, all students should wear uniforms as uniforms protect the financial interest of the parents and guardians.

Wearing school uniforms saves teachers, students, and administrators valuable time ( Bringing in the time-saving perspective of school uniforms ). Without uniforms, teachers and schools, administrators spend significant amounts of time regulating the dress code. For instance, time wasted deciding which clothes are appropriate, what skirt-size is too short, among other issues that arise in regulating regular clothes to make appropriate for the school environment (Ruggerone 573). Such challenges would not exist if all students wore uniforms. Consequently, students also waste valuable time because of the distractions that might be caused by clothes that their peers are wearing. Therefore, to eliminate time wastage and distractions in school, students should wear uniforms.

According to individuals and parties who oppose school uniforms, the uniforms limit the personal expression of students and can forcibly define gender roles for the children as girls have to wear skirts and boys’ trousers ( school uniforms stifle independence and creativity) - COUNTERARGUMENT . People express themselves through their clothes, which means that forcing students to wear uniforms affects their personal expressions (Masuch and Hefferon 227). Additionally, uniforms are gender-specific, which means that they can negatively impact the personalities of students as they are forced to wear uniforms that they do not feel reflect what they want to be or do with their lives. Thus, as the proponents against school uniforms argue, uniforms should be eliminated as they infringe on the independence of young students.

To sum up, there are numerous arguments that either support or oppose the wearing of uniforms by students. Supporters of school uniforms claim that uniforms give students a sense of identity and discipline, enhance social and economic equality, and save costs. On the other side, proponents against school uniforms claim that school uniforms limit the personal expression of students and force them into specified gender roles. Judging from the advantages and disadvantages of uniforms, it is clear that all students should wear uniforms as they distinguish students from civilians and enhance equality in the school environment.

Baumann, Chris, and Hana Krskova. "School discipline, school uniforms, and academic performance." International Journal of Educational Management 30.6 (2016): 1003-1029.

Freeburg, Beth W., and Jane E. Workman. "Dress Codes and Uniforms." Encyclopedia of Adolescence (2016): 1-13.

Masuch, Christoph-Simon, and Kate Hefferon. "Understanding the links between positive psychology and fashion: A grounded theory analysis." International Journal of Fashion Studies 1.2 (2014): 227-246.

Ruggerone, Lucia. "The feeling of being dressed: Affect studies and the clothed body." Fashion Theory 21.5 (2017): 573-593.

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Argumentative Essay: Wearing School Uniform Makes Learners Proud

The question of uniform has come up a lot. In Britain the students have to wear uniforms, with only the smallest schools being exempt. In America the rules are a little different, and most institutions may choose whether their students wear a uniform. I intend to prove that wearing a uniform makes a schoolchild proud to be part of the school and part of the team.

Children need to feel as if they belong to the school

It has been proven that students who see themselves as the equal of their teachers do not do as well at school. Having every child wear a uniform helps to show the children who the teacher is in a very subconscious and powerful way. It also helps to make everybody part of the school. Without uniforms the unpopular or distant children will dress radically in order to make a statement and clearly differentiate themselves from their fellow classmates. This leads to further alienation and the feeling that they do not belong. Uniforms solve this problem by making everyone of equal status.

It helps make children all equal

Children are just as likely to set up a class system as any micro culture. One method of differentiating has always been physical prowess. Another is attractiveness and a “bad” or rebellious attitude. The financial means of their parents is another, and it is far easier to spot who has wealthy parents and who does not by the types of clothing worn at school. Wearing uniforms is going to make this sort of differentiation and discrimination a lot harder.

Uniforms sap a child’s creativity

This is the argument that children are less creative if they are not allowed to express themselves, but this is not the case. People have to wear a uniform in the working world, including in the creative sector, and they are not affected by their dress style or the fact they look like the rest of the team.

Uniforms restrict the children’s free will

This is the argument that dressing all the children the same is setting them up to be robotically minded and easily manipulated in the future. However, this argument fails to take into account that giving children too much free will at a young age is a bad thing. Children are not yet mature enough to make correct and well balanced decisions. They need structure and order in their lives until they become free thinking, lateral thinking, well rounded and well adjusted adults.

Wearing a school uniform makes children proud to be part of their school because it curbs alienation, helps to form class/school unity and differentiates between the students and teachers. It helps to give children the structure they need, whilst not removing any creativity from them.

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School Uniforms - List of Essay Samples And Topic Ideas

School uniforms, often seen as a tool for promoting equality and focus in the educational environment, have been a topic of debate in many school systems around the world. Essays on school uniforms could explore their impact on student identity, academic performance, and school climate. Discussions might also delve into the arguments for and against school uniform policies, including issues of freedom of expression, socio-economic disparities, and the enforcement of such policies. Furthermore, analyzing case studies of schools with and without uniform requirements, and examining the cultural and historical factors influencing the adoption of school uniform policies can provide a nuanced understanding of this contentious educational issue. We have collected a large number of free essay examples about School Uniforms you can find at PapersOwl Website. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

The Positive Effects of School Uniforms

Students should wear school uniforms. The argument against school uniforms is that they restrict the freedom of expression and only minimally improve a school. But an argument can be made that uniforms make getting dressed in the morning easier for all parties involved. Schools no longer have to worry over what students are wearing, parents needn't shell out large amounts of cash, and the students just have to get up and put no effort into what they will wear saving […]

Pros and Cons of Wearing School Uniforms

Pros of uniforms. There are many students that see uniforms as their least favorite thing to wear,but uniforms do more than you think. Uniform keep students focused on their work so they may succeed in life. Uniform bring your school pride and could give the school more students and give you more friends.uniform may improve attendance and discipline. Uniforms decrease bullying and teasing .Uniforms can make get ready in the morning easier and improve punctuality in which could really improve […]

Persuasive Speech Final Outline

Attention-getter: Have you ever questioned how much the clothing you wear affects your life at school? I’m sure we have all heard of the argument between wearing a school uniform versus not having one. Today, I will be explaining to you why wearing school uniforms are more beneficial for students than having none. Relevance to audience: This matters to us all because it is important for a society to know the kinds of effects that certain aspects have on our educational […]

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Should Kids Wear School Uniforms

No, people should not wear school uniforms because if people wear school uniforms you can never express yourself and how you live. But if someone wears something inappropriate then the principle will take care of it. Wearing a uniform would also cause massive student obedience and take away valuable instruction time. Public schools already have dress codes which ban provocative, revealing, gang-affiliated, and hateful clothing. According to the Researchers at the University of Houston school uniforms seem to be decently […]

School Uniforms: a Controversial Issue

School uniforms have been a controversial issue in the United States. Students, teachers, and parents have varied feelings about the need for students to wear uniforms. While some point to the need for all learners to look alike and for discipline purposed, others contend that the requirement for all learners to wear uniforms takes away students' freedom of self-expression. Despite the reasons identified by opponents, school uniforms are necessary for schools and all stakeholders need to embrace it. Most students […]

Importance of Uniform in School

Now, more than ever, public schools are looking to school uniforms as one of many ways to address complex social and academic issues both in and outside of the classroom. As a “safe haven” of sorts, schools are expected to protect children from conditions of poverty, crime, and family strife. It is through the implementation of select programs and strategies that schools have attempted to change behavior and target young children to shape prosocial attitudes and behaviors. Specifically, through stricter, […]

Why we should have School Uniforms

Educators and experts who are in support of school uniforms believe that buying kids uniforms gives them a positive behavior. For instance, it is believed that when students wear uniforms, they feel more professional and behave better. Many educators also theorize that students can become distracted by fashion trends and clothing with symbols on it. Therefore, when all students are dressed in regulated uniforms, there is less focus on fashion in the classroom and more focus on learning.When there's no […]

Are School Uniforms Good or Bad

School uniforms are a common trend in the modern school system. Students, teachers, and parents all have their own thoughts and opinions on school uniforms. While each side of the debate has their strong reason I am against school uniforms. Many people believe students should not have to wear school uniforms (like me). I support this argument with the reasons that school uniforms do not improve attendance, academic preparedness, or grades. David L. Brunsma, PhD, Professor of Sociology at Virginia […]

School Uniform – Dress for Success

The Macquarie wordbook defines the thought of uniform as; dress of the same style, materials and colour worn by a group.. For many decades, students have become more concerning about fashion instead of education. Now, public schools have debated whether students should wear school uniforms.A dress code enforces discipline toward learning by changing a person's attitude toward success. Students generally act the way they are dressed. With fewer fashion distractions, school will be seen as a priority for teaching and […]

Should Students have to Wear School Uniforms?

Should schools have school uniforms? What are the effects they have on students? School Uniforms tend to have positive effects on students. According to ProCon.org, School uniforms keep students focused on their education, Not Fashion. Students usually worry so much about what they look like and don't worry so much about their education. One of the main reasons for having school is to get an education, not to be focused on fashion. Another positive effect of school uniforms is that […]

Rethinking Attire: the Downsides of School Uniforms

Arguments for and against school uniforms have long been made, with the goal of fostering unity and discipline as well as stifling individual expression. While there are many advantages to school uniforms, it's also vital to weigh the drawbacks. This article seeks to provide a balanced analysis of the drawbacks of school uniforms, including potential effects on children, families, and the learning environment. The restriction of personal expression that school uniforms impose is one of the main reasons against them. […]

The School Dress Code Argument: Balancing Expression and Uniformity in Middle Schools

Middle Schools around the country have been neglecting the standards and have controversial rules for students. Schools do not let kids express themselves with clothing, and the lunches they serve are barely edible. Studies have proven that students need to triumph more regularly with the restrictions. First, the meals that schools give their students might not be that bad, but for some schools, there is not enough food, healthy food, and expired foods. Many students have resorted to bringing lunch […]

Controversy Derives from Differences in Beliefs, Values, and Morals

"Controversy derives from differences in beliefs, values, and morals. School uniforms have become a very controversial topic this day in age due to the new social climate centered around questioning powers that be. There are many pros and cons included in the discussion as a result of varying ethnic values. Although, according to “History of Uniforms” by Michelle Meleen, uniforms are said to have been around since the 16th century. Over the past few years concerns that individuality and equity […]

Rethinking School Uniforms: are they Really that Great?

Let's talk about school uniforms. You know, those crisp shirts and pleated skirts or trousers that are supposed to make everything in school hunky-dory. On the surface, uniforms seem like a brilliant idea – they're touted to keep things equal, tidy, and distraction-free. But here’s the thing: dig a little deeper, and you'll find that this one-size-fits-all approach might be missing the mark. First off, think about self-expression. Remember being a teenager and figuring out who you were through the […]

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How To Write An Essay On School Uniforms

Introduction to the debate on school uniforms.

When writing an essay on school uniforms, it’s important to introduce the topic by presenting the ongoing debate surrounding it. School uniforms have been a contentious issue in education, with arguments for and against their implementation in schools. Begin by outlining what school uniforms are and their purpose in educational institutions. Set the stage for your discussion by briefly highlighting the main arguments from both sides: those who see uniforms as a tool for promoting equality and discipline, and those who argue they suppress individual expression and can be economically burdensome. This introduction should offer a balanced view, preparing the reader for a detailed exploration of the topic.

Exploring the Arguments for School Uniforms

The first part of the body of your essay should explore the arguments in favor of school uniforms. Discuss how uniforms can contribute to a sense of school identity and pride, potentially fostering a more focused and serious educational environment. Examine the perspective that uniforms can reduce peer pressure and social conflicts arising from dress choices, thus promoting equality and inclusivity among students. It's also worth mentioning the potential for uniforms to simplify dressing routines and possibly reduce costs for parents in comparison to buying regular clothes. Ensure that your discussion is supported by relevant examples, studies, or statistics.

Addressing the Counterarguments

Next, shift your focus to the arguments against school uniforms. One common argument is that uniforms inhibit personal expression and individuality, which are important aspects of child development and self-esteem. Discuss the financial aspect, particularly the burden on families who may struggle with the cost of specific uniform items. Explore the viewpoint that uniforms do not necessarily improve academic performance or discipline, as claimed by proponents. This section should critically analyze these counterarguments, offering a nuanced perspective on the potential downsides of school uniforms.

Concluding with a Thoughtful Assessment

Conclude your essay by summarizing the key points from both sides of the debate. Offer a thoughtful assessment of whether the benefits of school uniforms outweigh the disadvantages or vice versa. You might also consider presenting a middle ground or alternative solutions, such as more flexible dress codes. Reflect on the broader implications of the school uniform debate, such as what it reveals about societal values, educational priorities, and the balance between conformity and individuality. A well-crafted conclusion will leave the reader with a clear understanding of your stance on the issue and the complexity of the debate surrounding school uniforms.

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Should Students Wear Uniform at School

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Published: Mar 14, 2024

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She Sought Answers on How to Raise Boys

Ruth Whippman had three sons and a lot of questions. In her memoir “Boy Mom,” she hopes to offer parents some of the reporting she gathered on the road to understanding her children.

Sarah Palmer, a photographer, culled images from her personal collection to illustrate this story. The image above features tender moments between Ms. Palmer and her boys, as well as her friends and their sons. Credit... Photo illustration by Sarah Palmer for The New York Times; Source images by Trudy Chan; Saran Simmons; Gina Stulman; Sarah Palmer

Supported by

By Casey Schwartz

Casey Schwartz is a contributing reporter with one small son of her own.

• June 6, 2024 Updated 12:00 p.m. ET

When the British American writer Ruth Whippman decided to thaw one final embryo, she was 42 years old. She and her husband had two sons, Solly, then 6, and Zephy, 3. Their remaining embryos all had XY chromosomes, too.

As her pregnancy became visible, most people assumed she was trying for a girl. When she told them she was having a boy, people treated her “as this object of pity,” Ms. Whippman said in a recent interview from her home in Berkeley, Calif. “There was this real sense that boys were somehow disappointing.”

Even her mail carrier expressed her sympathy.

It was 2017. Ms. Whippman, a self-described liberal feminist, was watching the #MeToo movement explode all around her. She felt as though men had become the enemy, which made bringing another one into the world a different kind of challenge from what she already faced at home with two rambunctious little boys.

But she was conflicted. “While the feminist part of me yelled, ‘Smash the patriarchy! ’ the mother part of me wanted to wrap the patriarchy up in its blankie and read it a story,” she writes in her new book, “BoyMom,” out this week.

The title of the book borrows from the social media phenomenon known as #BoyMom, a hashtag that has become a full-blown trend in recent months and has as many interpretations as a Rorschach test.

Online, #BoyMom can be a badge of honor awarded for simply surviving the amped-up hi-jinx of tumbling boy-tots ; or it can be a tragedy, centering on the inevitable “break up” that must occur between mothers and son ; or it can it be a sendup of itself, a parody of the “toxic boy mom” who is dangerously, proudly enmeshed with her son.

Ms. Whippman’s book is not primarily about these memes. Part memoir (she is the “boy mom” in the title), part reportage, the book hopes to give parents, including fathers, tools and information about raising boys today.

Ms. Whippman, 50, is hardly the first person to write about boys as if they need their own operating manual. Michael Thompson’s “It’s a Boy!” and “How to Raise a Boy” by Michael Reichert have become classics of the genre, sometimes pressed into the hands of new boy parents alongside bottles and onesies.

But the birth of her third son, Abe, had sent Ms. Whippman’s two older boys into even more of a frenzy than ever: Solly turned sullen and Zephy invented a persona he called “Dino Slash,” kicking and biting without warning.

Ms. Whippman turned to parenting books for guidance, trying every strategy to improve her life at home. “I went through one phase where everything was falling apart and I probably read two of those books a week,” she said. But much of the advice felt pat; nothing ever answered her bigger questions.

When she heard reductive boy-clichés still tossed around, like “boys can’t sit still,” she bristled. Girls, it seemed to her, were cheered forward with slogans like “The Future is Female” that suggested no bounds on their potential.

“We’ve been doing all this great work breaking down stereotypes for girls and talking about gender fluidity, trans kids, changing gender identity,” she said, knowing that her point of view was especially influenced by being located in the politically progressive enclave of Berkeley. “But the one category that is just so resistant to change is cis boys, and the norms and expectations for them.”

And so, she set out to find answers by reporting on the state of what she calls “impossible masculinity.”

Unique sympathy for boys

The greatest surprise Ms. Whipmann said she found in her research was how much evidence there is for the relative fragility of boys as compared to girls. In study after study, she found reasons to worry specifically about boys and men: Premature boys are less likely to survive than premature girls; and boys are more likely to be diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disorder like autism and ADHD, and later schizophrenia.

In addition, she found that early adverse circumstances , like poverty or maternal postpartum depression, have more negative long-term effects on boys than they do girls. According to a study from the Brookings Institution, boys born into poverty are less likely to get out of it later in life than girls born in the same conditions.

She came away convinced, largely by the work of the psychologist and researcher Allan Schore , that boy babies need more care than girls, like holding, rocking and soothing, a notion she details in the book, which many readers might find startling, if not downright wrongheaded.

In a review of “BoyMom” for The New Yorker, the writer Jessica Winter dismisses it entirely. “She insists that boys need more parenting than girls, not less’— and, rather stunningly, she finds two experts who say much the same,” Ms. Winter writes. Asked to comment, Ms. Whippman said: “I had no preconceived notion of infant neuroscience,” she said. “But I found there was a huge body of literature to back that up.”

Ms. Whippman said she did have a hard time reconciling her new understanding of boys’ fragility with her disdain for another gendered maxim: that “boys will be boys.” The implication that boy biology is so distinct and nonnegotiable that one must simply survive it, often seemed to Ms. Whippman like an excuse not to parent, or a shrugging off of bad behavior.

Lise Eliot, a professor of neuroscience at Rosalind Franklin University and the author of “Pink Brain, Blue Brain,” pointed out that there are quantifiable differences between boys and girls: For example, that boys’ brains are bigger, on average, than girls; boys' brains grow at a faster rate than girls’; and girls go through puberty before boys.

But there is no consensus on the question of nurture versus nature when it comes to boys and girls and to what extent each matters, Dr. Eliot said. Some researchers like Dr. Eliot believe that these biological differences are overstated. “I think our expectations for boys keep getting lower as we blame everything on their supposed brain immaturity and prenatal testosterone,” she added.

Dr. Eliot argues that parents’ expectations of how girls and boys should behave are so ingrained, the fantasies of each gender beginning well before birth, that we can’t help but mold our children in these directions. “Brain sex differences have been overhyped,” she said. “Nature exerts a tilt, but I think we are using that as a crutch. If we want boys to be more like girls, we have to treat them more like girls.

Richard Reeves, formerly a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, now the founding president of the American Institute for Boys and Men, a think tank devoted to policy issues related to boys and men, said that when it comes to academics, especially English and literacy skills, “the broad story is that boys are falling a long way behind girls.”

Mr. Reeves depicts a generation of floundering boys in the public school system, noting that, among the top 10 percent of G.P.A. scores, two thirds belong to girls, and, among the bottom 10 percent, two thirds belong to boys. Mr. Reeves notes that the G.P.A. gap has been growing. And: “In K-12 schools, 23 percent of boys have been diagnosed with developmental disability,” he said. “At a certain point you have to wonder if it’s the system, rather than the boys.”

“In 2020, the decline in college enrollment was seven times greater for male than for female students,” Mr. Reeves writes, noting that this is a finding with major implications for economic mobility.

Mr. Reeves has also looked at how gender and race intersect in education. “While race remains a powerful factor in educational achievement, gender weighs heavily on outcomes too,” he wrote in an email. “While white girls are outpacing all boys at school, Black boys are at a disadvantage, including compared to Black girls.”

And the problems boys are struggling with become exacerbated with age. According to Mr. Reeves’s research, men are more likely to die from so-called deaths of despair, including suicide and drug overdose. This week, Melinda French Gates announced that, though the majority of her grants — each worth 20 million dollars — will go to helping women and families, one of them will go to support Mr. Reeves’s policy work on boys and men.

Stuck Inside the “Man Box”

“Dudes, dudes, are you OK? Or do I have to come make a pillow rule?” said a teacher at the Allen-Stevenson school for boys on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, on a recent Tuesday morning. She had come to quell a brief flurry of pillow-related mischief among a group of third graders sprawled on the classroom floor, their preferred positions for reading hour.

The school is one of New York’s most prestigious all-boys options, available to those who can pay $60,000 in tuition (or are fortunate enough to earn financial aid). And however antiquated single sex education may sound to some, it’s as popular as ever, if not more so, according to Emily Glickman, president of Abacus Guide Educational Consulting, who has helped parents navigate the K-12 application process in New York City for 25 years.

Here on East 78th street, “boy-ology” is a buzzword in the school’s lexicon, referring to the collection of strategies on how, specifically, to best “meet boys where they are.” These include chairs that wiggle, flexible seating arrangements, Velcro strips on desks to help with sensory input, fidget sticks and body breaks.

“Have you heard of the Man Box?” Samara Spielberg, head of the Spanish department at Allen-Stevenson, asked me, standing in front of a large L.G.T.B.Q. flag the boys made with individually collaged squares. “The Man Box is what society tells boys and men they can be and should be. Boys don’t cry. Boys don’t show their emotions. And anything that’s outside the Man Box, you’re penalized socially.”

Dr. Cecil Webster, the Boston psychiatrist, has his own version of the Man Box, but he calls it “the Man Bucket.” He said he thinks about it often in his consulting room, sitting across from boys and men. For many of the men Dr. Webster sees in therapy, he said, “it’s often their first experience having emotional intimacy with another man.” It’s a startling assertion to make of an adult, but friendships between boys, researchers have found, often thin out in adolescence as boys make their way toward adulthood.

“Boy friendships are so vitally important and often there’s something that can happen where that might feel homoerotic, like, ‘People are going to think I’m gay, or I’m soft,’’” Dr. Webster said. “Which then leads to a lot of sacrifice of emotional intimacy that we really need as men.”

Niobe Way, a professor of developmental psychology at N.Y.U., has seen these patterns over decades of research, describing them in her book, “ Deep Secrets: Boys’ friendships and the Crisis of Connectio n.” However dated they may seem, they somehow persist: Dr. Way expands upon these themes in her forthcoming book, “Rebels with a Cause,” arguing that we are all trapped in “boy culture,” a toxic value system based on stereotypes of masculinity, one that has lost sight of true human connection.

In fact, this is one of Ms. Whippman’s laments, too: the awkward, stilted interactions she has observed between her son and friends. Their conversations seemed so often to stumble into silence or revolve around video games. To her, they seemed so unlike the deep friendships she herself had growing up.

Ms. Whippman’s sons are now 13, 10 and 6. Two out of the three are now prescribed stimulants (national trends show that boys are roughly twice as likely to be diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder than girls). The level of frenzy in Ms. Whippman’s household has calmed down a bit, enough that she is admittedly “happier.”

“The whole conversation around boys is toxic from all sides,” Ms. Whippman said. “I want to give my boys and all boys different options for how to be in the world.”

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