I have discovered a common trend that occurs when people feel strongly about any given topic.  Most people are unwilling or incapable of discussing the strengths and weaknesses of their position and the oppositions position.  An example of this is the common quote, "We can talk about anything BUT religion and politics."  I theorize that these two topics are taboo because they are so deeply seated in our beliefs.  Any discussion of these two topics will uncover the likelihood that we haven't thoroughly thought out our position.  Most likely we adopted our positions on these topics from our parents or what is dominant in our local society.  Additionally, now that our views have been challenged, we may have to go through the painful process of rethinking our position, realize we were wrong or that our position wasn't the best one, and change our thinking accordingly.  Of course, we can respond the way most people do.  To say, "Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is already made up!"  At this point your probably thinking "what does religion and politics have to do with school uniforms?"  Nothing, other than they are extreme examples of how people have made up their minds as to how they feel and they are unlikely to change.
     The majority of information on the Internet in regards to school uniforms is initiated by two sources.  Teenagers who have experienced school uniform implementation and didn't like it or, teenagers who don't like the idea of school uniforms based upon what they've heard.  The second source primarily comes from government and educators who have done studies or have experienced school uniform policy first hand.  The second source has reported mixed results for and against this concept and how to implement or modify it.
     The important question to ask is, "What are we trying to accomplish in our public schools and how are we going to go about it?"  This is probably a generic question we could all agree upon, but the answers would be as varied as the number of people responding.  For the sake of being brief, I will take this huge question and attempt to answer part of it with my views.
     I believe that school uniforms should be implemented on a large scale in a few states (statewide) in different geographical parts of the country for a twenty-five year period.  "Woah!!", the students scream, "I think it's a terrible idea.  I don't want to wear any stupid looking clothes!"  The parents likewise respond, "Who's going to pay for all this?"  I have answers to those and many other pros and cons.  I don't profess to have all the answers, but I do know this much.  School uniforms have been used nationwide in other countries with fewer resources than we have and they have implemented their policies without extreme sacrifice.  The benefits of an improved education for our children's future by using school uniforms would outweigh the inconvenience.  We live in, quite probably, the greatest nation on Earth.  If we can't make bold experiments and commitments to do everything within our resources to improve our way of life, then we have mixed up priorities.  Providing ALL our children with the best education possible is one of the keys to improving our society as a whole and should be as important as our national defense budget.  We can spend the money through education to give every child a chance at improving their prospects for the future or we can imprison them as adults when they make poor choices because they had no opportunity.
     There are many that claim that students shouldn't have to wear uniforms because it takes away their ability to make decisions for themselves.  I like wearing nice clothing just as much as the next person, and I know as a student I would have objected to the idea of having to wear a school uniform.  As an adult though, I can see the benefits of wearing a school uniform, and think it outweighs any inconvenience.  Students would still have the ability to make decisions on what to wear for clothing.  This would be done on their own time, after school and on weekends.  Additionally, the attention in school would be taken off "who is wearing what" and onto "who is achieving academically".  This would cause students to strive for recognition by academics, rather than clothing.
     Even if all my arguments up to this point have been inaccurate and in vain, I propose one final statement that can stand alone against the anti uniform crowd.  A students job is to learn and prepare themselves for a life as well rounded and productive human beings.  Like many jobs in our society, students should be required to wear uniforms as a part of their occupation.  Soldiers wear camouflage to protect themselves from being seen by the enemy and to bond themselves into a team.  Nurses wear uniforms for pride and to distinguish themselves from other positions so they may be easily noticed.  Firemen wear uniforms and equipment to protect themselves from flames.  Likewise, students should wear uniforms to facilitate their learning.  It comes as part of the job, it's nothing personal.  The purpose of going to school is not to look cool, but to get an education.  If wearing school uniforms is going to do away with problems and increase learning, then it should be implemented.