Thursday, October 28, 2010

Semester Essay #4 "School Uniforms..."

Most private schools require students to wear uniforms.  Public schools should not have their students wear uniforms.  I am against school uniforms for public schools.  Just because a student has on a uniform does not make that student.  The student makes the uniform.
            Requiring children to wear standardized uniforms stifles their self-expression.  Self-expression is an important part of child development.  Students do not like wearing school uniforms.  Students who are forced to wear school uniforms will only find other, less appropriate ways to express themselves, possibly through inappropriate use of makeup and jewelry.  I believe that public education attempts to strip children of their individuality.  I believe that public education does not meet the needs of children who do not fail in the norm, and that uniforms attempt to force every student into one mold.  Students see standard dress as another way for public educators to remove student individuality where they should be embracing and celebrating diversity.  I believe it is not in the best interest of the child to try to control socialization, which is a part of human nature.  Such use of school uniforms does not prepare children for the real world, in which they will continue to be judged by appearances.
The cost of school uniforms is a negative factor as those who see it as a positive factor.  It is said that it increases the amount of clothing parents will have to buy for their children because the children will still want and need clothing for the hours they are not in school.  Uniforms can be more expensive for a family who buys from second-hand stores or who relies on hand-me-down clothing from friend and family.  Cost is a negative aspect of school uniforms because there is no use for them outside of school.
            Many students do not feel comfortable in a school uniform.  The different types of clothing feel comfortable to different people.  Some students are more comfortable in a specific material or style of clothing.  Uniforms reduce one’s ability to choose clothing that fits individual comfort needs.  I believe children need to feel comfortable in order to maximize learning, and that uniforms can therefore deter academic success.
            Many educators and experts believe that, although in theory uniforms should improve academic, behavioral, and social outcomes, in reality they do not.  It is argued that the studies of schools who in initiate uniforms do not report improvement in any of these areas; therefore if the desired outcomes are not reached, there is no valid reason to standardize student dress.

1 comment:

  1. Your Intro is quite short, perhaps add some more meat to it and we'll be set.
    'uniform does not make that [a] student.'
    I'll finish commenting later. I have important stuff to do at the moment.

    ReplyDelete