Fashion is an important part of students’ lives. Many teens want to wear the coolest new sneakers1 or the most expensive designer jeans. Most schools have dress codes that state2 what students can and cannot wear. Some schools have a policy requiring students to wear uniforms： all students must wear the same outfits during school hours.
Many school officials are in favor of uniforms. They say uniforms stop thefts and violence over clothes. Officials also say uniforms help students and teachers know when strangers are in the school. Linmoor middle school in Columbus3, Ohio, requires students to wear uniforms. The uniforms “bring unity to the school,” Saundrea Hunter, the office manager at Linmoor, told us.
Other school officials disagree with the policy. They say uniforms do not let teens express themselves. Uniforms also can be costly. Some school officials say families might not be able to afford the uniforms. Raymond B. Hobbs Middle School in Milton, Florida, used to have a policy requiring uniforms but has given it up. “I felt that it was bad for the morale4 of our students,” says school principal Stewart Powell.
What do you think? Should students be required to wear school uniforms?
YES! Schools should have uniforms.
Uniforms prevent students from wearing gang colors5.
When students have to wear uniforms, they feel less peer pressure6 to buy expensive clothes.
Uniforms allow students to concentrate on their work instead of worrying about fashion.

NO! Schools should not have uniforms.
Uniforms don’t allow students to show their personalities.
Students will still want nice clothes for after school, so they will have to buy uniforms and regular clothes.
 If students have to dress a certain way for national reasons, they will not be able to wear the uniforms.

1. sneaker n. [复] 运动鞋
2. state [steit] v. 规定
3. Columbus  n. 哥伦布，美国俄亥俄州首府
4. morale n. 士气；民心
5. gang colors 标志特属某个帮派的色彩
6. peer pressure 同龄人施与的压力