The use of school uniforms is a phenomena that isn 't quite popular in the United States. Coming from a country where wearing a uniform to school is the most common thing to see in the streets made me realize that this practice isn 't accustomed in all parts of the world. So, how does not using school uniforms contribute to the United States ' nonmaterial culture? The answer is simple, it promotes one of the core values of the United States ' culture which is the freedom of expression. It 's part of our culture because the society has adopted this practice through the years and it won 't easily accept a change on it. School uniforms go against freedom of expression of students and they also inhibit students’ individuality. In schools where …show more content…
As Kluckhohn states: "During the cultural process, once a way of handling a situation becomes institutionalized, there is ordinarily great resistance to change" (Kluckhohn, 78). As I had stated before, I grew up in a culture where school uniforms were required in order to be able to attend school. So, when I arrived here everything changed. Students weren 't wearing uniforms! This made a shocking impact in my mind because this wasn 't something that was accustomed in my native country 's culture. It was complicated for me to adapt to this aspect of the American culture because my former culture was imposing on me this "resistance" to change. So, what if the United States implemented a law requiring all students to wear uniforms? It will definitely create a huge change in American culture. Students are so used to not using uniforms that it will create skepticism and rejection from most of them. People might accept the change, but it will take a long time for people to get used to it. Putting the clothes they want is something that has been part of the American culture for so many years that it will definitely take the same or even more time to adapt to the new behavior. Some people might even refuse to accept the change and it 's totally understandable. They would have to follow a pattern that is up to a certain point strange. They might argue that outside of school,
School is also the place where the next actors, writers, artists, politicians, inventors, designers and musicians are trained. School uniforms send a clear early-life message to students that conformity is important and creativity is not, that authority is allowed to abuse it's power and constrain our constitutional right to free speech and expression. Students learn from uniforms that their individuality, political opinions and religious rights are unimportant, as is their education: students are regularly suspended for non compliance to the uniform code even if their school work is excellent. If uniform-requiring schools were actually in 'the business of learning' this would not occur.
Did you know that Americans spend around one billion dollars per year on school uniforms? At the beginning of every school year, families shop for weeks and weeks to find specific clothes that fit into a school’s strict uniform dress code. School uniforms should not be required in schools because they take away from the student’s freedom of expression, do not lower disciplinary problems, and do not prevent bullying based on economic status. Dress codes often have more of a negative impact than a positive impact when it comes to students being able to learn. Many people say that being in free dress is a distraction, when in reality, uniforms are more of a distraction.
Cultural diversity is an American ideal yet our cultural experience is similar to many around the world. An analysis of two vastly different scientists’ views on the nature of cultural change and diversity sheds light on why deep-rooted cultural intricacies from generations ago are fading into oblivion. Thomas Sowell and Wade Davis clearly have differing opinions on the evolution of cultures and the significance of diversity. Wade Davis (2007) presents in “Dreams from Endangered Cultures,” that he is not concerned about the fact cultures evolve over time in a “dance with new possibilities of life,” but that power and corruption is destroying the unique expression of the human spirit in various indigenous peoples of the world. On the contrary, Sowell (1990) believes cultural changes results from a Darwinian law of survival of the fittest. He contends cultural diversity and change occur as a dynamic process that evolves from things that work over time, and if these changes don’t work, they disappear much like Roman Numerals (Sowell, 1990). Both scientists have valid points but their diverse perspectives on cultural change and diversity and its implication on society as a whole are particularly interesting.
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.
The United States population continues to increase in racial and ethnic diversity, therefore, it is pertinent that mental health professionals tailor their services to the needs of various cultural populations (Constantine, Kindaichi, Arorash, Donnelly, & Jung, 2002). The awareness that ethnic minorities experience negative consequences from being oppressed, resulted in the multicultural competence pedagogy and has helped counselors identify effective strategies to generate social change (Hage, 2003; Vera & Speight, 2003). Social norms that cause these injustices are identified, allowing for ethnic minorities to constitute and embrace empowerment. Moreover, this consciousness helps prevent therapists own bias’ from playing potentially oppressive roles stemming from their own worldview and builds on an understanding of their diverse clients life experiences (Sue & Sue, 2012). Counselors who commit themselves to social justice, value the fairness and equity in treatment and rights for marginalized individuals. According to Sue & Sue (2012), “an enlightened approach that acknowledges potential oppression in the manifestation, diagnosis, etiology, and treatment is best accomplished by taking a social justice approach,” which may be by challenging traditional models of therapy (Kindle Location 2919).
Kids use clothes to express the way they feel and making them wear a uniform is taking that away. School uniforms have been around for a long time. Most schools try to enforce the need of uniforms thinking it will help keep their students safer and better educated. Students shouldn’t have to wear uniforms for these three main reasons: some kids use clothes to express themselves and the uniform would take that away from them, uniforms cost a lot of money and some parents can’t afford it for their kids, doesn't really help with education.
One of the greatest controversies that is spreading throughout high schools in the United States is parents and their children against the enforcement of their school’s uniform policy. More schools have been adopting uniform policies within the past decade. Rules contained in the policy that are implemented range from wearing certain types of tops (shirts) in specified colors to students being required to tuck in their shirts. In the past, uniforms were exclusively for students who attended private schools because they were “well-off”, but now uniforms are being seen more frequently in public schools on students of all economic levels. Having gone through a school system that considered adopting a uniform policy, I would have to press
Uniforms in public schools are becoming more and more accepted around the world. “Over the last two decades, the debate over the implementation of school uniform policies in public schools has been a consistent presence in schools and districts around the United States.” (Sanchez, 345). Teachers, parents and school administrators feel the need for school uniforms as a positive way to increase school safety and increase academic performance. Even though school uniforms are not the most popular choice among students and parents, the positive impact school uniforms make on students and the school outweigh the negative opinions.
At the beginning of the 20th century almost no parent or faculty had any concerns with how students dressed to attend school. Nowadays, though, this is a giant concern among students, parents, and school board officials. Many arguments have been made over the matter saying uniforms should be required and enforced in schools. But, uniforms should not be required as they ultimately eliminate freedom of expression, promote conformity over individuality, may have a detrimental effect on students self image, emphasize the socioeconomic divisions they are supposed to eliminate, and lastly, school uniforms in public schools undermine the promise of a free education by adding an extra expense for families.
Prior to this period, they were only implemented in Catholic and private schools as they were thought to be more strict, furthermore were also more respected as elite educational institutions (School Uniforms). Since this time the rest of the country has slowly started to follow the trend as 20% of all public schools require uniforms in 2011, also many large cities have gone and fully implemented uniforms such as Chicago, Dallas, Phoenix, and Seattle (Bowen). There is also a trend that uniforms tend to be implemented in higher poverty populations around the country in an effort to close the socioeconomic barrier or how it is perceived in the public school system which unproportionately benefits those of a higher economic status (School Uniforms). The United States isn’t the only country that has noticed the statistics and decreasing crime rates due to the uniforms, in England all schools are required to have uniforms (Bowen). With the rise of uniforms around the world will bring greater prosperity for future
A huge negative effect of school uniforms is that they infringe ones’ individuality. High school is a time when students begin to develop their own sense of personal style, desperately trying to both stand out and fit in simultaneously. By being self-conscious and often lacking the confidence needed to assert themselves, teens are forced to use clothing and their outward appearance to manifest their individuality. By not being able to express teenagers act out in other ways. School uniforms also reduce ones ability to choose clothing that fits individual comfort needs. Above all, school uniforms even go against the 1st Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, which is about establishment of religion and free speech.
“We cannot forget that reinforcing economic differences drives students further apart when schools should be drawing them closer together.” There are many problems in public schools with no uniforms. The use of school uniforms could eliminate some of these problems. Although school uniforms may take away a child’s individuality, there are more benefits than disadvantages to having school uniforms in public schools because school uniforms lessen the money spent on the latest fashion trends and school uniforms provide a positive school climate. A school uniform should be a simple outfit.
Introduction: The motion brought before the house today is “All schools should enforce the wearing of school uniforms from primary 1 to secondary 4.” This is a topic that is hot on the lips of educators, students and parents. School uniforms are a specific set or group of school-standardised clothing. If we look at America, only private and non-government run schools that institute the wearing of school uniforms. In Hong Kong, most schools require their students to wear school uniforms. My team is definitely in favour of schools having their students wear school uniforms. My teammates and I will demonstrate to you that the benefits brought by the wearing of school uniforms far outweigh any perceived disadvantages. Our first main argument, which will be explained by Brian, is that enforcing school uniforms in all schools will lift school spirit greatly. Justine will discuss our second argument, being that school uniforms reduce the amount of bullying. The fourth speaker, Ray, will debate about casual clothing distracting students. Finally, Joyce will summarise our arguments, convincing you,without a doubt, that school uniforms MUST be enforced in all schools.
Everyone has his or her own individuality, things that set them apart. We use it in our clothing choices, as not everyone wears a hat or a jersey every day. "In 1969, the U.S. Supreme Court established students ' right to self-expression through appearance and attire-as long as it doesn 't substantially interfere with "discipline or the rights of others" (Menza 2). School uniforms take that right of expression away. Not everyone likes wearing a blue or red polo and khakis. Sure, most jobs have uniforms these days, but a person has a choice to work there and has no choice about public school. There are also many jobs that do not require uniforms, such as construction workers and retail workers. Just working at a job wearing a uniform does not signify that someone is better than someone else or even smarter. Everyone should be able to grow up and learn from his or her experiences, and that includes dressing his or herself every morning and enjoying that