UNIFORM IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS (Essay Sample)

UNIFORM IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS NAME OF STUDENT INSTITUTION AFFILIATION INTRODUCTION The issue of school uniforms has been an issue that has raised a lot of debate as to whether uniforms should be embraced or done away with. Uniforms have been in use since time immemorial, mainly to maintain equality in the schools. The use of uniforms to reduce dress-related violence was endorsed by the then president, Bill Clinton in 1996 (Holloman et al, 1996). The president's move was after the schools had attempted to reduce the problems themselves, with little success. Proponents of the policy claim good behavior, greater academic success and general academic discipline can all be attributed to the use of uniform in schools. However, there has been a rise in a group of people opposing the idea. Critics argue that uniforms do not add any value to the education of the students. They argue that most reforms which proponents cling on are not solely because of the use of school uniforms, but a combination of several reform measures taken by the institution (Draa, 2005). The effectiveness of the policies in terms of law and finance is also questioned (Brunsma et al, 1998). This essay will outline both the advantages and disadvantages of the use of school uniforms in schools. Advantages of the school uniform Equality among the students The rapid change of clothing trends that target the youth has created problems among the youth, who are mainly the majority in schools and colleges. There is an unending appetite among the youth to appear fashionable among their peers; hence an increase in unscrupulous means of acquiring the clothes (Draa, 2005). Students who cannot afford such lavish dressing may feel inferior in schools; hence the need of uniforms. Uniforms make everyone equal and eliminate the need of unhealthy competition between students in schools. Competition among the students over their appearance results in taunts and even fights (Holloman et al, 1996). The school community is made up of different kind of people, from different backgrounds. Allowing the students to dress up as they wish would make the school environment look chaotic. Different communities have their own unique dress codes; that could be their tradition and due to lack of exposure and tolerance, students wearing them can be ridiculed by others. The administrators ease the social problems, tension and appearance related issues by embracing the use of uniforms (Draa, 2005). Safety among the students The use of school uniforms is for the safety of the children themselves. According to Draa (2005), there are cases where school-age children are robbed or even killed for their shoes and clothes which are of high demand. The role of uniforms in the prevention of violence is framed as a safety issue for the students in schools (Holloman et al, 1996). Uniforms are a tool of social control Uniforms foster unity among the students and a commitment to a common goal. Uniforms differentiate a student from non-students and express their status sets in the community. They serve as a symbol of the school (Holloman et al, 1996).. There is a certain set of conduct that a student is expected to maintain within and out of the school and by donning the uniform, one is bound to be disciplined (Draa, 2005). The uniform acts as a guarantee to the members of the public that an upper level in the school administration will control their students. Academic discipline The pre-occupation with clothing and appearance distracts students from the main goal of success in academics. Schools can become a fashion show with kids showing off in their unique styles. The drive to fit in the trend group may force some students to engage in other activities to raise money; overshadowing their studies in the process (Draa, 2005). Uniforms improve class behavior because they set a group standard that is easy to attain by the students Uniforms eliminate gang clothing that found its way into the social culture in schools. The gang clothing is a menace to the students themselves when rival gangs become hostile to each other (Draa, 2005). Wearing a wrong color or clothing symbol can warrant an attack from a gang even when the student is not a member of any gang. Opposition to school uniforms Uniforms are an infringement of the first amendment right to freedom of expression Critics argue that by forcing the students to wear the uniforms is a contravention of their freedom of expression. They argue that a student should be free to wear what he/she is pleased with whether they are at school or not. The restriction to dictate what they need to wear interferes with the students need to participate in their experimentation using ornaments or clothes (Draa, 2005). Uniforms are a tool of social control and administrative power By wearing the uniform, the student's social life is curtailed. The student's ability in making choices and internalizing personal values is limited. Their decisions are to be based on the rules laid down by the school administration. Critics argue that the students' ability to mature is only boosted when the...