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School uniform debate introduction
Effects of school uniforms
The issue of self esteem and body image in adolescents
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In like manner, if students become apathetic about attending school, they will reap the consequences of a poor education and, in turn, will not attain a degree. Hence, the question arises, why are they [students] not attending school? Though, the explanation may not be a simplistic one, some jump to the bias conclusion that these particular students are delinquents or quite frankly despise school, but, the issue may be more complex that that. In the case of such apathy towards school, bullying could be the culprit. In addition, clothing choices may or may not have something to do with said bullying. In this case, uniforms could greatly improve attendance records due to the roadblock they place between issues at school, such as bullying, and lack of …show more content…
On the other hand, uniforms cannot stop what is called body shaming. Clothing cannot hide body shapes or certain imperfections. In particular, students could become victim to, what is simply called, fat shaming. Though uniforms may take competition away for those who seem to battle for “who wore it best”, they cannot take away the stigma associated with body image. Notably, in the article titled, Obese, Fat, or "Just Big"? Young Adult Deployment of and Reactions to Weight Terms, it expresses, “teasing about weight using emotionally-charged weight terms is a major basis of bullying in the United States today. While weight-based name-calling is far from a new phenomenon in this country, underlying anti-fat attitudes have deepened in recent years, rendering such bullying far more toxic in its effects(Trainer, S., Brewis, A., Williams, D., & Chavez, J. (2015)).” Under those circumstances, this degrading phenomenon extends from the outside world to the halls and mouths of students who use fat shaming as a weapon. Uniforms cannot help those who are victims to such verbal and sometimes physical
Ever wonder what it would look like to have all students wearing the same white polo shirt, black pants, and a district sweater walking in the hallway? Nowadays, public school and many districts are discussing the possibilities of enforcing the uniform policy. In most places, many private schools already require students to have their mandatory uniforms; however, there are only a few public schools adopting this mandatory school-uniform polices as one of their enrollment requirements. The reason why not all public schools participated was because people believe that they are violating the freedom of choice when enforcing this mandatory uniform policy; yet problems such as bullying and segregation, emerged in these schools. Some people still think uniforms have no benefits at all. However, all public school students should be required to wear uniforms because it would improve the academic performance, reduce the violent behaviors based on appearance judgment, and provide less stress for both parents and students.
"’School uniforms are one step that may help break the cycle of violence, truancy and disorder by helping young students understand what really counts is what kind of people they are,’ President Clinton said. It didn 't take much more than this presidential nod of approval to get the uniform ball rolling in many school districts across the country” (Bowen). Are school uniforms really the answer to the public schools’ problems? Although having a school uniform policy is mostly beneficial to schools, there are some drawbacks to having one. While uniforms provide less cost to the parent and less chance of bullying in schools, they also limit a student’s freedom of expression and can decrease the student’s comfort level.
One of the most controversial topics revolving around schooling is the weather students should or should not wear uniforms to improve academic and social behavior. Many sources say that school uniforms improve discipline, attendance, lower criminal activity, and increase academic achievement in students; Furthermore, this is due to less distraction and conforming to the idea that uniforms makes you smarter. This false ideology that is expected from school uniforms has not been proven in any way to work and is more of a waste of the tax-payers money than an improvement. There are more outlying factors that contribute to success or failure than just uniforms and pro-advocates do not get this big picture. The most outspoken reasons why to use
Brunsma, David L. and Kerry A. Rockquemore. “Effects of Student Uniforms on Attendance, Behavior Problems, Substance Abuse, and Academic Achievement”. The Journal of Education Research. 92.1 (1998): 53-62. Print.
School uniforms were introduced and adopted by many School in the U.S because former president Clinton gave school officials and parents the impression that it would have a positive impact on student’s behaviors; academics; attendance; and even decline the rates of discriminations. Uniforms have their benefits and disadvantages to students, parents, and teacher. Uniforms minimize the rates of absences, helps students stay focus in class instead of other student’s fashionable attire; causing them to successes in their academic, crime rate, and minimizes students being victims of bullying. Nevertheless, uniforms promote great behaviors amongst students which minimizes the time teachers must spend to discipline their students. Although school uniforms may positively impact students, it may also cause them to lash out on their parents and teachers because of the high expectancy that comes along with it. Not only that, but uniforms to many parents, teachers, and students, do not actually stop bullying; help students succeed academically; or effect the absence rate in school. To many it is a cover up that is portrayed as a positive tactic to be used on
The debate over whether or not to enforce school uniforms has become a major problem in today’s schools. Schools are full of judgment and bullying between peers, which negatively affect many aspects within the school. Some believe wearing uniforms can have negative effects towards students such as the loss of self-individualism and the encouragement of conformity. School uniforms promote academic achievement and support the fight in eliminating bullying, which outweigh the cons, making school uniforms the best decision for schools.
A growing issue for modern schools that is almost impossible to avoid nowadays is the question of students’ appearance. Whereas children and teens would most likely enjoy dressing the way they want, teachers and education authorities lean toward students wearing standardized uniforms over free dress. As with any argument, there are many opponents and proponents of a mandatory enabling of school uniforms, both with reasonable arguments in favor of their claims. However, it is in my opinion that students should not be forced to wear uniforms, as it can negatively affect their personalities.
Trying to fit in is one issue that students deal with at school, and requirement of uniforms can eliminate that stress. With all the different fashion trends coming out every day, keeping up with them are stressful, but a student being picked on for not following in that fashion trend is even more stressful. Uniforms can help encourage students to accept each other for who they are, and not for what they are wearing. MPS Superintendent, Barbara Thompson, believes uniforms “will create unity among the school system,” and “create a level playing field for all students” (Johnson, 2010). Some people that are against the requirement of uniforms believe that they interfere with the students’ right to self- expression, but how can a student express themselves if they are being picked on about what they are wearing? We believe that without the interference of fashion, students will be more focused inside the classroom rather than being the next fashion queen or king. President Clinton, in 1996, said “if it means teenagers will stop killing each other over designer jackets, then our public schools should be able to r...
Students become upset when judged by how they dress, so why not make things simpler and provide uniforms? Worrying about how they dress is a huge distraction during school for students. Making the importance of their appearance brings stress to one’s body, and that is not the right way to go for a student who is trying to succeed in school. There is a slightly high percentage of how many schools require uniforms, and it brings a sense unity within the students. We should take charge in this situation and make school a safer environment for students. You can never argue with the fact that schools need to advise their students that it is a safe place, and providing uniforms is an excellent way to start. Take the challenge, the uniform challenge.
At school when kids look around at everyone, they see kids with uniforms that are obviously from last year because they have stains and are run-down. According to a recent article, a reporter stated, “In York County, PA, a local NBC affiliate reported in Sept. 2014 that some children were missing class because their families couldn't afford to purchase the required uniforms.” Not only do uniforms affect kids at school, they can prevent them from even going to school. Like these children, others around the world face the same problems and with uniforms the problem will never be solved.
Students who wear uniforms can focus on academics, rather than on what others are wearing (Walmsley, 2011). Some opponents "emphasize the paucity of empirical research on the effects of school uniforms on academic achievement and students’ behavior" (Mitchell & Knechtle, 2003). In fact, we do not need to do the empirical research because we can see the benefit of school uniforms on academic achievement and students’ behavior in the real life. For example, teachers saw that when the students wear school uniforms, they will be more settled and ready to learn (Walmsley, 2011). In addition, LaPoint, Alleyne, Mitchell and Lee, (2003) talked about Lopez 's reporting that showed the benefit of school uniforms on school climate, attendance, and students discipline for elementary and middle school students in the Long Beach Unified School District . Really, we can see the positive impact for school uniforms policy on students’ grade and
Marian Wilde accounts in her article, Do uniforms make schools better?, that Virginia Draa, assistant professor at Youngstown State University was amazed by the results of the research involving 64 public schools in Ohio with guidelines of wearing uniform. Ms. Draa said, "I really went into this thinking uniforms don't make a difference, but I came away seeing that they do.” She agreed that the “attendance, graduation and proficiency pass rates” of these schools improved significantly (Wilde). There are more reasons to advocate the wearing of uniforms such as it save time to set up, it cost less money to buy, it removes social and economic distinction in the campus.
While weight-based name-calling is far from a new phenomenon in this country, underlying anti-fat attitudes have deepened in recent years, rendering such bullying far more toxic in its effects(Trainer, S., Brewis, A., Williams, D., & Chavez, J. (2015)).” This extends from the outside world to the halls and mouths of students who use fat shaming against other students. Uniforms cannot help those who are victims to such verbal and sometimes physical abuse. Uniforms may even aid in the fat shaming trend. They can heighten the prominence of body shapes. Without the competition of fashion, it leaves those lacking in “ideal” body shapes at a disadvantage. This being said, those already feeling self-conscious about themselves would be reluctant about attending school. Uniforms can do a great deal of good, but it cannot stop the shaming of other students for such things as weight and body disfigurements. But, if uniforms can improve upon behavior and attitudes along with violence, maybe it can ameliorate the many potential repercussions associated with the use of
Teens today face a lot of pressure. Many students deal with difficult life situations that hinder them from focusing on their futures. This can lead to a loss of interest in school and school events, such as a sports, clubs, or after school programs. Teens start to prioritize other things over their education. Every year, over 1.2 million students will leave school without earning a high school diploma in the United States alone (“11”). That’s a student every 26 seconds – or 7,000 a day (“11”). The United States, which used to have the highest graduation rates of any country, now ranks 22nd out of 27 developed countries (“11”). Students may not realize that by dropping out of high school they are more likely to commit crimes, become parents at a young age, use and abuse alcohol and drugs, and live in poverty (“Drop”). Dropouts make up the majority of those
Throughout human history, uniforms have been a way to show discipline and formal etiquette. from military officials to nurses, uniforms are the norm to express who someone is in the modern world. Uniforms have played a great role in the history of education. Schools have shown the different uses of uniforms and as time progresses with the uniforms, so does the development of the rebellious nature in the average teenager. Parents who are willing to spend money on their children’s education end up sending their children to private schools where uniforms are mandatory. Many schools that are not private and do not require to have school uniforms show many problems amongst the whole student group and the individual student which may also lead to ultimately affect the outcome of their student’s performance. The concept of the uniform is not only to show who someone is and what they do but to also value their honor in what they do and represent who they are in society.