...School Uniforms: What’s the Big Debate? Mar’Kisha Everett English 147 July 8, 2015 University of Phoenix, Anne Cox School Uniforms: What’s the Big Debate? A school uniform is a set of standardized clothes worn primarily for an educational institution. Mention this around many teenagers and you have just started one of the biggest debates maybe ever. But just what is it about requiring kids to wear uniforms at school that seems to get everyone in such an uproar? Freedom of expression and individuality are the top two arguments opposing school uniforms. Enforcing a uniform policy is not an attempt to ignore freedom of expression or to try and stop individuality, it is simply an idea implemented to gain discipline, safety, and professionalism. School uniforms are not just implemented to help students exceed in school alone, but is also a great preparation for the future. Even though many people disagree because of freedom speech or expression, school uniforms are a good idea because they are affordable, they can prevent bullying and violence, and prepare students for a dress code in the workplace. Growing up today is probably not the easiest thing to do. There are many obstacles that may hinder learning in school such as gang violence, abuse from students and faculty, and bullying. Many students are bullied because they don’t look like other students in the class. While enforcing uniforms won’t stop the bullying, ensuring that everyone is in...
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...Should Public School Students be required to wear uniform? Many public school systems are joining ranks with private schools and are implementing school uniforms, as many educators believe that students who wear uniforms perform better academically in school. All schools should require their students to wear uniforms because wearing uniforms can help resist peer pressure to buy trendy clothes. Also, students will not buy these clothes, because they cannot wear them to school. Children and teens usually express themselves through their clothes. When students are made to wear the uniforms, they can’t do this. This will cause students to express themselves through their actions and their words. When every student is wearing a uniform, no one will be able to tell who the rich students are and who the poorer students are. This will cause students to not bully others because of their clothes. In addition, students will make friends with each other, not through appearance, but through personality. If uniforms were required, it will help identify students, and keep organization. Uniforms play an important role with organization in public schools. The School Board makes the rules and enforces them. Students know what to wear and what not to wear. Students come to school well organized and prepared to learn. In addition, everyone looks professional. Because Public schools in The United States have students from all over the world, not only Americans, people of different race, characteristics...
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...more prone to go for a uniform or their regular “street clothes?” Eighty percent of adolescents are more likely to pick the regular clothes because they want to have their own style (Mitchell; Knechtle 3). Do students’ feel more confident when they are dressed in a uniform? A girl in “Dress Code Blue” said, “I feel uncomfortable in uniforms, and if I feel uncomfortable, then I feel lazy and don’t want to do anything” (DaCosta, 4). It is a drag to go to school knowing that people are more than likely to look like everyone else? A lot of students are between a rock and a hard place when it comes to this decision. Did you know that Americans spend around $1 billion per year on school uniforms? (School Uniforms). The topic on whether or not to wear uniforms is not beneficial to the students, or to parents, due to the fact that they’re unaffordable, they do not prevent gang affiliation, and they do not give students a sense a sense of individuality. One of the major issues students’ have with uniforms is that they are unaffordable and parents should not have to buy the uniforms. Over the years parents should have complained about how the uniforms are so expensive and how they are having financial problems. “In addition to finding that the level of parental perceptions of the cost of uniform, the survey elicited strong comments from parents on the subject of school uniforms” (West; Tidwell; Bomba; Elmore 1). Urban Schools should already have the uniforms for the student, if they...
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...Requiring uniforms or adhering to dress codes is a heated discussion that has been addressed in many schools around the country. Should students be required to wear certain clothes or types of clothing to school? Administrators say that it increases safety and school performance. On the other hand, most students and even some parents do not like the idea of required dress because it may decrease students’ self-confidence. Students should wear uniforms or conform to a dress code to ensure safety and increase simplicity. Schools are designed to help students prepare for their futures. One of the ways that schools are trying to accomplish this is by implementing dress codes or requiring students to wear uniforms. National School Safety and Security Services (1996-2007) reminds that adhering to a certain type of dress is something that students will have to face when they enter the workplace. It may never be too early to start. Also, “many educators believe that a dress code also promotes a positive educational environment” (Wilder, 2007, para. 6). Parents believe that students adhering to dress codes have a direct link to academic improvement. Wearing uniforms or conforming to a dress code can increase the simplicity of students’ lives. Just by wearing uniforms, students can reduce “conflict stemming from socio-economic status, i.e., conflicts stemming from comments and personal attacks about who has better clothing and so on” (National School Safety and Security Services, 1996-2007...
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...Student Have To Wear Uniforms To School? The great debate continues about should students have to wear school uniforms? There is no definitive answer as it entirely depends upon the persons beliefs. There are benefits for some children who wear uniforms and disadvantages to others.The main reason schools in America choose not to allow their students to wear their own clothes is because of the gangs. Having a uniform stops gang members from displaying their colors and garb. The schools also believe it helps stop violence and helps instill a sense of pride in the students. It also helps to break down the barriers between different socioeconomic groups. A couple different reasons why I think there shouldn’t be uniforms. First, School uniforms inhibit student’s individuality. Young people often express their feelings through the clothing that they wear. Uniforms will take away this form of expression. Why should school districts try to make everyone look the same? Secondly, A school uniform policy inhibits a student's freedom of choice. Schools teach students that our country is a free one. But when school boards make students wear what they tell them too-- it curtails the students' freedom. Third, there is the issue of cost. Many parents shop for their children's clothes at used and discount stores. Uniforms can cost more money than these families might be able to afford. Also, these students would need to buy additional clothing to wear after school and on the weekends. That's...
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...Implementing School Uniform Policy in Public Schools Jennifer Phillips Sullivan University Abstract School uniform policies have become an important debate among public schools in the United States. The school district in Long Beach, California was the one of the first public schools to adopt a mandated uniform policy. The success that this school had, along with other schools that followed this path, does not seem to be enough evidence to convince other school leaders that school uniforms has a great impact on the students in behavior and academic success. Arguments among school leaders, parents, and students range from not enough statistical research to prove that the uniforms better the student’s safety and education, to the expense of uniforms compared to every day clothes. The evidence that the public schools have that participate in school uniforms seems to outweigh the petty arguments of a few critics. Keywords: school uniforms, safety, students, faculty, education Implementing School Uniform Policy in Public Schools School uniform policy is an ongoing debate spreading across our country. According to Schatcher (2005), “by the end of 2002 twenty-three percent of all elementary schools had adopted uniforms, and several middle and high schools had followed the pattern” (p.46). Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton were both supporters of mandating uniform policies in the public schools. Clinton endorsed the policy through his State of Union address:...
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...Gangs in the United States James C Vincent II Metro State University of Denver Abstract Gangs are not really addressed a lot. The criminal justice system really doesn’t have a big effective way to combat gangs or gang violence. You can arrest people that are affiliated with gang related things but there will always be someone behind them. Gangs in the United States today only serve 3 purposes. To protect, make money and gain power. As long as there is one of those variables available someone will always be up for anything. The youth are the most important in this factor because they are the future of our society. I don’t personally agree with the current solution of incarceration of minors. If there was another way that involves turning their lives around, I personally believe less of our youth will be recruited. There was an after school program for troubled youth but it has been shut down due to funding. If there was some type of big organization to stop development of gangs and recruiting this would not be a problem. Gangs are in every city of every state and one of the leading causes of some type of crime. The system fails to realize the true cause of gangs. Without knowing anything about gangs there will not be a solution to the violence or crimes. There are some things that are obvious. For example, there are more minorities in the gangs in the United States. While that...
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...codes at school are something that all kids hate, but at the same time, it’s something that is going to help them through life. Dress codes are really effective in high school because it reduces cliques, bullying, and gang violence. Students start focusing on their looks instead of their school work, but now with dress codes they help students concentrate on learning and not on their appearance. Dress codes help reduce the smuggling of weapons because most codes restrict baggy clothes. The students will also be ready for future jobs that will require them to wear a uniform because they have been wearing uniforms their whole academic life. Have you ever gone to a school and seen tank tops and baggy clothes there and then went to another school with students wearing uniforms? What was your first impression of the schools? Uniforms on student’s helps the school look organized and makes the students look very mature. The impression you might get of the students is that they get straight A’s in their classes. Students that wear tank tops and other such clothes do not look very mature and might not be the best group of kids to hang out with. There is no one wearing baggy pants or even skinny jeans because of the dress code policies in the school and that helps students to follow future dress codes for future jobs. Dress codes are guidelines to life; they help students look professional and at the same time look like responsible young adults. Cliques are everywhere at school. There...
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...Storrs Do School Uniforms Provide A Better Learning Environment? A very important part of adolescence is discovering who a person is destined to be. In the stage where children are on their way to becoming adults, it is very important to provide discipline, give love, and instill faith. In these troubled times, raising a child takes more than just parents. Some school systems have taken measures to provide discipline and teach lessons by implementing uniforms. Uniforms, although dreaded by many students and parents, actually can provide a positive influence in school systems. By implementing strict dress codes school systems are able to provide a safe and carefree environment, promote discipline and school spirit, prepare students for the real world, and eliminate some social class issues. Uniforms can provide students with a safe and carefree environment while in school. In many urban areas, children face more problems than just going and coming from school. Recently many students worry about being bullied, getting shot, or being recruited to gangs. Many schools have used uniforms in efforts to stop violence and gang activity. In 1997, a six-year-old girl was beaten to death fir wearing a red sweater in Los Angeles because her assailants thought she was affiliated with a local street gang (Cruz 17-18). Students wearing uniforms cannot wear gang affiliated colors or symbols, which would cause less distraction in school. In Long Beach, California the first school district...
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...cons about implying school uniforms. I want everyone to know that there are two ways to view if school uniforms should be implied to every public school. There are two sides to the story, but when it comes to picking one over the other, it's your decision to make. I will explain every detail about why schools should or should not have uniforms. In this case. I am having difficulty choosing a side because I agree with both, but everyone has a different perspective. The issue of use of uniforms in public schools has produced a lot of discussion in the recent years. A high number of key stakeholders in the educational sector think that uniforms may reduce negative conduct that is connected to student dress such as school violence, absenteeism, teasing and gang related activities. The main argument that opponents are advancing is that uniforms get in the way of students right to choose dress, violating their right to speech. While public schools have always had policies on dress code, there is a need to evaluate whether uniforms in public schools have any significance.The practice of requiring public school students to wear school uniforms began during the 1990s. Proponents argued that school uniforms led to better academic Bible believers need to support interventions that work to eradicate violence in schools. Although school uniforms may have been originated from Catholic schools and English schools, isolated American school districts used school uniforms prior to the 1990s;...
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...Benefits of Uniforms within the Public School System AED/200 March 6, 2011 Benefits of Uniforms within the Public School System For generation after generation children, parents, and people of authority have had differing opinions regarding what is appropriate for students’ fashion and appearance. The last 60 years have seen numerous transformations in the way students dress within the public school system. In the 1950s students dressed modestly and wore what would today be considered Sunday best clothes. Today’s students go to school with cleavage, midriffs, and undergarments exposed and wear clothes that have been intentionally cut-up or torn for the purpose of fashion. In the last two decades the discussion on student dress has been focused on creating a safe and professional atmosphere for students to learn in. School uniforms and dress codes are competent ways to improve discipline and motivation amongst students in school and do not limit the way students express their individuality. History of School Uniforms School uniforms have a long history not only in the United States, but elsewhere around the world. One of the first countries to originate the use of school uniforms was England. In the year 1222 the archbishop of Canterbury mandated that all English scholars dress in robes that resembled those of a monk. It is from this initial uniform that today’s high school and university graduates model graduation robes after. Soon after the archbishop...
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...School Uniforms By Kendall Cole June 2014 AED/200 - CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN AMERICAN EDUCATION Instructor: Christine Duhamel University of Phoenix Since the late 1990's school uniforms have been worn in mostly urban school districts across America. Initially, they were opposed by stakeholders, especially the students. School uniforms were accused of stripping students of their creative expression. After a while, uniforms were tolerated, it was realized that wearing uniforms helped to create a positive learning environment. “School uniforms are being advocated for a range of social, educational and familial issues” (Bodine, 2003, p. 67). There are so many issues students have to deal with when they attend school. Some of these issues create negativity in the student’s educational career. Stakeholders must come up with ways to help make learning environments and experiences more positive. Wearing school uniforms will help to create a positive learning environment. Since the turn of the new millennium, school uniforms have become common place and a trend in large school districts across America. In 1996, former President Bill Clinton mentioned school uniforms in his State of the Union Address (DeCosta, 2006 p. 49). Former President Clinton said, " And if it means that teenagers will stop killing each other over designer jackets, than our public schools should be able to require their students to wear school uniforms" (Mitchell,1996). Children have so many issues they...
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...Should School Dress Codes Be Enforced? Troy Gibson Research and Writing- English 215 Fall Quarter Major Paper B Final Exam December 18, 2008 Instructor: Danny L. Daily Over the last decade or so the topic of school dress codes has been the center of attention here in America. The main question asked is, Should school dress codes be enforced? Especially in public schools in the U.S. There are some positive and negative factors surrounding the concerns of school dress codes being enforced. Some opponents against school dress codes include, students, parents and faculty members, which argue certain factors that enforcing the dress code is, a violation of students rights, of freedom of expression, second, it can put a financial burden on students families who live below the poverty line, third, some claim it is just a temporary relief to school violence, fourth it adds an additional tax on parents who already pay taxes on free public schooling, and fifth, some say that enforcing the dress code is to difficult in public schools. On the other hand, those who are proponents of the dress code add that by enforcing this policy, it will help eliminate violence, identify outsiders who do not belong there, improve a student attendance, eliminate students from being peer pressured in buying designer clothing and foster a students discipline as well as lessen the social and economic boundaries between students in school. With all of these...
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... Abstract Females in school are exposed to all kinds of different rules that takes away their right to express themselves. During this essay you will find reasons why dress codes are difficult to follow upon female student. This essay will also explore some of the different controversial issues between schools and female students due to the dress code policy, and the different ways females use to fight back. School dress codes are more for females than males, because schools see women as distraction for males and others. Schools dress codes are messing with the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which gives the students the right to express themselves, without hurting others. We will see how females fight back on what they believe it is taking their freedom of speech and freedom to express their unique personalities. Fighting For Freedom Women like to express themselves through clothing, shoes, hair, make up and all kind of different accessories. Regardless of what color, religion, what body size or shape they have, females like to personalize their style using fashion and new trends. While parents drill on their female children the importance to love and feel comfortable with themselves no matter how they look. Schools portrays women as a “distraction” for men and others. They are constantly making changes to the school dressing codes, especially for female students from kindergarten to high school because of their natural sexuality...
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...Codes in Schools Com 220- Research Writing Some people believe that our schools should require their students to adapt to a dress code to improve student behavior, enhance students’ self-confidence and reduce differences among socioeconomic levels. Others may say that policies enforcing dress codes or requiring school uniforms violate students’ First Amendment rights and suppress individuality. The argument over school dress codes and school-uniform policies continue to rage in the meeting rooms, administrative officers, and classrooms of public schools throughout the country. School officials place dress code policies so there will be orderly dressing amongst the students’. Dress codes are important but they are troublesome at the same time. There is no one to police the dress code of the students when they arrive at school. And at the same time, the same dress code placed among the students should be the same as the educators. Schools should be a learning institution full of knowledge for young eager minds and not a meeting place for the latest fashion contest. Recent studies conducted in schools have shown that a fixed dress code does promote good behavior and helps students achieve higher test scores. However, parents have expressed concerns because their child or children are not being allowed to express who he or she truly is. Another issue that has many people worried throughout the United States is the rising cost of these uniforms to stay...
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