Argument Against Wearing School Uniforms
Theirs is an ongoing discussion in the nation about school uniforms, whether or not they help with behavior problems and scores (“An Argument Against School Uniforms”). Kade A., A sixth grade student, when asked about school uniforms she said, “no, I don’t like them because they are uncomfortable and makes her and maybe the people around feel like their wearing church clothes all the time” (“An Argument Against School Uniforms”). “Clothes are a sources of expression for children, an as kids get older they become increasingly resentful of uniforms. By instituting a uniform policy, schools are taking away kids individuality. Schools need to decide if that sacrifice is worth making” (“An Argument Against School Uniforms”). “School Uniform use was not significantly correlated with any of the school commitment variables such as behavior, or substance use of (drugs). In addition, students wearing uniforms did not appear to have any significantly different academic preparedness, proschool attitudes, or peer group structures with proschool attitudes other than students” (“An Argument Against School Uniforms”).
Middle School/Junior High is a time of maturing, physically, mentally, academically and emotionally. Schools need to create an environment that encourages students individuality and motivate them to challenge themselves and inspire self confidence. Some people feel that school uniforms diminish creativity and self expression (“An Argument Against School Uniforms”). The people against school uniforms view school uniforms as symbol of tyranny of schools, which impedes free and complete development of personality. These people opine that school uniforms make students servile and submissive. According to these people against school uniforms, school uniforms should be done away with, because they just help in producing submissive citizens rather than free thinkers of future (“People Against School Uniforms”). People who are against uniforms are put on extra financial burden on parents. The parents have to buy school uniforms along with other fashion clothing. According to the people against school uniforms, school uniforms are money making tools of schools. Often, school uniform manufacturers pay sums to schools to seek monopoly on uniforms of specific schools. Children are constantly growing and manufacturers take advantage, and parents are left with no choice but to bear the costs of expensive school uniforms (“People Against School Uniforms”).
More importantly, even if we don't like the idea of school uniforms, people should have a choice regarding the matter. That's all part of freedom you must have the courage to let others be free to choose. Although, you have to sit still even when their choice (in favor of school uniforms) isn't what you would choose for yourself or your children, because that's taking away your right of choice (“School Uniforms Pros & Cons”). School Uniforms are an upfront expense for families who live off of hand-me-downs and used clothing. Programs to recycle used uniforms and funding to provide poor children with no cost or reduced cost uniforms would need to be in place (“Pros & Cons Of School Uniforms”).
School uniforms will restrict the outward expression of a child's unique individuality. School's primary function is to educate, but secondarily is a platform for socialization where clothing can play a role. We should not be teaching our children to blend (“Pros & Cons Of School Uniforms”). In the rare event of an emergency (such as a natural disaster) identification of students by their parents could be difficult if all children are wearing the same exact things (“Pros & Cons Of School Uniforms”). Many well intended adults have justified the use of school uniforms for many different reasons. No matter what you dress students in, they will always find a way to pass judgment upon their peers. If it's not based upon the style of clothes worn there are many other superficial ways to judge people and form cliques (“Argument About Uniforms”).
Many students of public schools believe that school uniforms should not be introduced because it is restraining people's freedom of expression and does not create diversity. One example how uniforms restrict learners are that "without the outlet of expression in their clothes, students may turn to inappropriate hair styles, jewelry, or makeup" (“Public School Uniforms”). Yes judging people upon their appearance can be bad in schools. However making everyone wear the same type of clothes is not going to make the problem magically disappear (“Argument About Uniforms”). As stated by the Public School Review, under the First Amendment, it argues that uniforms stifle children who feel robbed of their individualism. A second supporting example as to why uniforms are an awful proposal are because uniforms may not be comfortable for all students and they cannot wear their uniforms outside of school, and thus, there is the double cost of both uniforms and casual wardrobe. In school, if a child is trying to learn, but is not comfortable with the uniforms' fabric, it would cause a great burden and distraction to one's learning (“Public School Uniforms”).
Although a uniform can get boring with the same clothes and same color every day, uniforms have proven to lower hostility in many schools. The first example clarifies how “uniforms have reduced tardiness, skipped classes, suspensions, and discipline referrals"(“Public School Uniforms”). Barbara Bernstein, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, reaffirmed the opinion of the A.C.L.U. when she stated that requiring school uniforms is not only illegal, it is not the solution to the school system's problems"(“Against School Uniforms Implementation”). Others think that focusing on education in the school system is extremely important, but uniforms should not be seen as a tool to maintain/acquire that focus (“Against School Uniforms Implementation”). If children are focusing more on their clothes and what items they or other students do/do not have - the school needs to re-evaluate the strength of their curriculum. What children are wearing in the classroom should have no bearing on what is expected of them as students (“Against School Uniforms Implementation”). If safety is a concern, we shouldn't be looking to a uniform to correct the issue if the concern is children not focusing on school work, or getting poor grades, again, uniforms should not be seen as a 'solution' (“Against School Uniforms Implementation”).
It is true that social classes still exist, even when students are in uniforms. Why, Though, strengthen the dividing lines between those classes by permitting students to show off their most expensive items in school? Schools are learning environment, and has no place for negative social stratifications. Uniforms only try to bridge the gap between social classes, through attempting to have everyone on the same common ground “Uniforms really level the playing field between the haves have the have-nots,” observed Long Beach District spokesman Richard VanDerLaan.