A Uniform Solution to Clothing Dilemma

After observing the latest round of back-to-school shopping for preteen clothing, I would like to suggest a common-sense alternative to the ritualistic sparring between preteens and their parents over what is appropriate for young bodies (“Preteens’ Clothing Choices: They’re Dressed to Secede,” Oct. 20).

Schoolchildren in America should do what most European and Asian children do and wear uniforms to school each day. Uniforms save time and a lot of money for the parents; they promote some sense of purpose and fellow-feeling at school, and while they don’t end competition for status among children, they do shunt it away from one obvious and costly arena.

GARY S. PERITZ

San Diego