Final answer:
The writer supports the claim that school uniforms could prevent violence and crime by pointing to broader social science research which suggests that environmental and educational policies, including those related to apparel, can reduce socioeconomic disparities and thus potentially lower crime rates.
Step-by-step explanation:
The writer's conclusion that violence and crime could be prevented if students were forced to wear school uniforms is supported by arguments that uniforms could contribute to a safer school environment by reducing the visibility of socioeconomic disparities among students, which can be a source of tension, and thus potentially reducing crime rates within schools.
The choice of school uniforms as a tool for reducing crime is underpinned by broader social science literature showing that education policies can influence crime rates. For example, improving education and the economic environment can prevent crime, as shown by the removal of lead from gasoline and the subsequent drop in crime rates, or by policies that de-concentrate poverty. Similarly, it's argued that changes in the environment can affect crime rates, such as how lighting, surveillance, and the presence of certain businesses in neighborhoods have been linked with crime patterns.
However, this conclusion may not be without controversy, as a student poll indicated a significant majority were against the school uniform legislation. Moreover, the literature on crime suggests that a multifaceted approach that includes improving overall educational and economic conditions might be more effective than a single policy intervention such as uniforms.