School Uniforms

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School Uniforms The issue of whether or not school uniforms are a necessity in today’s society has been a long standing debate. However, it did not come onto the national scene until 1996 when then President Bill Clinton spoke of the matter in his annual State of the Union Address. Citing the Long Beach city school district in California, Clinton spoke of the positive effects of uniform implementation, including: decreased drug cases, sex offenses, violent crimes and fights. Jessica Portner, a writer for Education Week, agreed with President Clinton in her February 14, 1996 article entitled “Uniforms Get Credit for Decrease in Discipline Problems.” Using statistical evidence from the aforementioned Long Beach school system grades K-8, Portner creates a compelling argument pro school uniforms. In a study of the 83,000 K-8 students, the rates of assault and battery decreased 34%, fights 51% and there were 32% fewer suspensions. What about those who argue that uniforms are an infringement of the 1st Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America? Well, the Long Beach city school district allows parents to exempt their children from the uniform requirement. However, only 500 parents or guardians have done so. Why? For one because of the above statistics argues Portner and also because it prevents the association of gang colors, whether accidental or purposeful. Portner also states that uniforms allow students and faculty to determine who does not belong in school and could pose a potential threat to the peaceful environment the district is attempting to foster. And perhaps most importantly, Portner interviewed some students who strongly felt that uniforms improved their self-concept because “peopl... ... middle of paper ... ...l still burn on. In summation, I don’t feel that school uniforms are necessary at this juncture in time. Sure, one school district has seen positive results, but can these results be contributed to a single factor called school uniforms? Extremely doubtful in my mind. Besides, school uniforms while making everyone look alike and boosting esteem in this manner, do not eliminate the socioeconomic differences between students. Therefore, there will always be a distinction between students. Uniforms may decrease the distinction but individuality is what makes America the land of opportunity. Individuality is what America is all about. If you can’t find who you are and express yourself for the entire world to see while living or spending time in America, you are doing something wrong. Preventing this would be a horrible national crime; it would be un-American.

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