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School uniform policy essay
Pros and cons for school uniforms
School uniform policy essay
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In 2014, 100% of students attending Public Schools in Philadelphia were required to wear school uniforms (2014, p. 8). It appears as if students in inner-city public schools are forced to wear uniforms to enforce the ideology of conformity. In fact, as of 2008, 22 states authorized schools to enforce the uniform policy (2014, p.1). Delano High School does not enforce a uniform policy, however it does have a dress code. Although some teachers and professors believe otherwise, school uniforms do not create a more equal standard for all students. Uniforms can put a financial strain on families, there is little proof of them being beneficial towards students, and they are limiting the student 's rights of expression. To begin with, the purchasing of school uniforms puts a financial strain on families. It is a known fact that Americans spend $1 billion dollars a year on school uniforms for students (2014, p.1). The parents end up paying all of the expenses because the child is dependent on them in order to go to school. Adding to this fact,the school uniform industry is driven by commercial and profit interests, as opposed to educational purposes. Multi-billion dollar company, JCpenney, announced that school uniforms are a big industry for them, and had spent over 3 …show more content…
They are putting a financial burden on families because of the amount of money they need to spend in order to have their children go to school. In addition, they also have proven to not promote better attitudes towards education, or the school itself. Likewise, it is taking away the right of student expression by forcing all students to conform to one standard look. Each student learns differently and creating a fun environment for them to thrive in should be the focus of every teacher. Embrace the individuality and see them as not only learners, but as the future of our
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.
““Everybody goes to school looking the same, and they can concentrate on what’s going on in school, learning in their classes, concentrating on their education rather than what somebody else is wearing”, Helm said.” (Cavazos, 1) The question to answer is why don’t students follow the set rules regarding the dress code? Some parents and school officials, would argue that set polices are hard for students to follow and others would argue that policies aren’t strict enough. “More than a year ago, about 100 parents and students expressed their outrage at the board meeting saying the dress code was too strict and limited freedom of expression.” (Ford, 1). Unlike the Easton Area School board, Lima City Schools left their policy open so students would not have to wear the same uniform every day if they wished not to. They have options within the set policy.
The logic here is that usually we have a different uniform for elementary, middle, and high school. Elementary uniform can be found in stores and we can use coupons to reduce the total. However, once we go into a higher grade, the expenses increases. When you go to middle school, you most likely have to choose an academy and academy shirt can only be brought from school. One shirt from a school can cost $10 and your expenses just increased. The average annual cost to parents for the uniform is $249. But, the U.S. annual school uniform sale is $1,300,000,000. Whereas, if we don’t have uniforms, parents can buy clothes that can be worn in school and at home. This way they won’t spend more money. Additionally, a low-income family won’t have to spend all their money on buying their kids uniform and only have to make sure that the attire they get their children is appropriate. Schools using the uniform system are causing problems for low-income families by asking them to provide their children with a uniform. Instead of suspending students from school for not having a uniform, we can simply make it easier for parents by using the dress code system. Also, using the dress code can take some burden off from low-income families by reducing their
The argument whether uniforms should be implemented in school has been debated over the last few decades. By implementing a uniform policy within schools would help reduce the rise of violent crimes. In today’s high schools, too many innocent youths become fatalities due to gang warfare that has spread into the school system. Many parents feel that if a uniform policy was implemented , the spread of gang warfare and the idea that children have to have name brand clothing would decrease drastically. However others are worried that this policy would infringe on students First Amendment Rights with expressing themselves. Many parents are worried that the uniforms will cost too much and they will only burden their economic status. Uniforms will either give the school strength or separate the students and parents from the administration.
In America, “The World’s Melting Pot”, we are all unique and should be seen as individuals. Wearing a uniform does not allow for students to demonstrate their individuality; they have to dress conforming to the school’s uniform policy. According to Akerlof and Kranton, “...with attempting to establish a sense of community might be the loss of student’s sense of identification with the school, which could in turn yield lowered outcomes in effort and skills”. These policies leave the students questioning themselves and wondering, “Who am I?”. A survey, of 100 random students, conducted at Zapata High School showed that 72% of students reviewed felt that wearing a uniform suppresses their ability to express themselves as individuals. Forcing students to wear a uniform is also going against the first amendment, which clearly prohibits Congress from making laws that violate freedom of speech; it includes freed...
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.
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.
The subject of school uniforms can spark quite a debate among proponents and opponents on both sides of the issue. You can find mixed feelings whether you talk to school administration and staff, parents, or the students themselves. In my research, I see more pros than cons associated with a school uniform policy; therefore, I would like to examine some of these positive impacts more closely. It is exciting to see how these policies are making a resoundingly-positive impact in our children’s lives! I think, as parents, we all want to level the playing field for our children.
The price of uniforms is a financial burden to lower income families, putting a pain in families’ pockets. They’re families that use hand-me-downs and buy used clothing, which doesn’t help out for school. It also has to be reminded that school isn’t all day. After school you’re going to have kids rushing home to put on their other clothes. Kids are stil...
To many Americans the idea of school uniforms is like an old-fashioned concept. School uniforms have always been a contentious topic in the United States because of the culture adopted by most Americans. Unless a child attends a private educational institution, wearing specific uniforms is not practiced by children. A common argument today is that whether uniforms should be mandated in public school system. Why do more than half public schools now enforce dress codes (Toppo)? There are many different benefits for having uniforms in schools. Uniforms in public schools decrease economic problems for schools and parents, reduce social barriers between students, encourage discipline, and create a safe environment.
trying to decide on what kind of shirt to wear as well as what kind of pants or
The school uniform is a way of showing its equality and should feel like a commitment and pride in a school and the student body. Borrey of EISAU wrote an article on “Why Should Students Wear School Uniforms?” explains that “Educational institutions have different ways of sourcing their apparel. Most of them hire school uniform suppliers who provide an affordable range of items like shirts, pants, skirts and blazers for regular days, and jerseys and jackets for sporting activities.” (Borrey) Several school systems even have grants from local foundations that cover the $20-25 cost of uniforms for the families that can’t afford them. There are even department stores that run specials on uniform attire because they are aware of the
The cost of living is going up every day. We pay more for food, gas, and even clothing these days, and it gets harder to make money stretch. Now we have public schools that want to have uniforms for every student. "Fifty-eight percent of public secondary schools (grades 7-12) in the United States enforce a "strict" dress code. Seventy-one percent of private schools do the same" (Menza 2). There are people who think it will make things better and prepare students for the future. What about the students ' current situations? How will this affect the students? We have to look at the costs associated with uniforms, bullying due to brands, and also students ' ability to express themselves and why school uniforms is not the best choice.
If this perspective is among the top of a students needs to fit in, it can become devastating to their self-esteem if they are not accepted to the group they idolize and hope to be part of. This can result in an apathetic attitude towards school. This being said, many of the students feeling inadequate compared to the “it” students may even suffer from the spotlight effect, which is when one overestimates others ' noticing and evaluating ones appearance, performance, and blunders. This can increase stress levels in students which can affect their academic success or deter them from attending school all together for fear they will not be accepted. School uniforms could eliminate any pressure that is placed on students to keep up with fellow classmates or the strain to fit in. Uniforms could level the competition or the need to replicate what other students have deemed essential. On the other hand, uniforms cannot stop what is called body shaming. Clothing cannot hide body shapes or certain imperfections. One example of what students may be shamed for is simply put as fat
Imagine having to wake up and put on the same thing you wore the day before and the day before that! Schools uniforms are becoming more common in today’s society. I think that school uniforms have more negative effects than positive. Even if you push a child to wear something that they are not comfortable in they will begin to act out. I believe that public school should not require uniforms. Uniforms take away our ability to self-express. School uniforms should not be required in public schools because of the student’s self-image, their safety, and high cost of uniforms that parents have to purchase every year.