Evaluation Argument: Mandatory school uniform School uniform is good when measured by criteria of opportunity for self-expression, expressing modesty, diminishing class discrimination, improving self-esteem, increasing sense of community and helping school authorities to recognize intruders. Nevertheless some of the mentioned criteria have negative moments. The first criterion is the opportunity for self-expression. It is positive moment, because mandatory school uniform aims as removing the status that clothing labels give to some children and serves to externally equalize all students. Similar dressing stimulates students to find more creative and productive ways for self-expression and individualism. School uniforms means evaluating such personal qualities as creativity, wit and intelligence, not only clothing and appearance. In public schools practicing school uniform teachers provide students with lots of opportunities for creativity and self-expression including, for example, creative assignments.
One more positive moment is that mandatory uniform meets accepted standards of modesty and diligence. It eliminates the everlasting conflict of dress code and embarrassment connected with dress code violations. (A modest list of debating points) The second criterion is diminishing of class discrimination and distinction. It is completely positive and right. It means that all students are treated not depending on their social status. Only knowledge does matter. In such a way students are taught that clothes are not indicator of social class.
Adopting a School Uniform Policy
... valid arguments against school uniforms. Students and parents argue that uniforms violate their freedom of expression. In Tinker ... to the board to institute a mandatory school uniforms policy, with the only opt-out ... school board can provide students who meet the criteria for financial need with the uniforms themselves. Another possibility is having graduated students donate their old uniforms, ...
But it is evident that although uniforms are mandatory, students anyway are aware about the social and economic status of every student in the school. Students have to be prepared for the real world full of inequality and injustice. Therefore school uniform tries to equalize every student. Nevertheless after leaving school students will discover anyway that there is no equality in the world and that people are unprivileged only because of their skin color, gender and place of birth. School uniform is the way to defend students at least for period of studying. (Wilkins 1999) The third criterion is improving self-esteem. Improving self-esteem is useful in developing of personality.
It means that accent is made on the intelligence of students, not their fashionable clothing and appearance. But some contradict that it is impossible to develop positive self-esteem if students are restricted as to individual expressing. It is difficult to express yourself when students are dressed like everyone in the class. Such point of view is not correct, because uniform makes students think broader than simply make-up, boys/girls and clothing. Students must express themselves in studying and creativity of thinking. (Wilkins 1999) The last criterion is increasing the sense of community.
It is a matter of fact that the purpose of mandatory school uniform is to enhance and stimulate school spirit and stronger sense of community. The idea is if students are dressed identically they may think of each other as the equal member of the class/community. But there is also negative moments concerning this criterion. The sense of community may lead to us and them mentality and students may think of other classmates as rivals. In other words team mentality doesnt support deferent point of view and considers it as opponent. It means that tolerance and loyalty within the class community may result in hostility towards students from other schools, colleges, etc. There is evidence that mandatory school uniform may lead to increasing the number of fighting between students from different educational establishments. (Wilkins 1999) In conclusion it is necessary to claim that school uniform is rather contradictive and disputable.
Should School Uniforms Be Mandatory In High Schools?
School uniforms should be mandatory in high schools. They provide more focused and togetherness throughout the school day for students. Children often feel less social pressure when everyone in the school dresses the same way. Students who can not be fashionable due to limited family finances are made to feel more comfortable among their peers. In addition, the gang violence and intruders entering ...
On the one hand it is positive, because it makes everyone equal and gives the opportunity for expression. On the other hand it is difficult for students to be restricted, because they prefer to be free and independent. Works cited Wilkins, Julia. School Uniforms. The Humanist, 59, 2 (1999, March): 19-25. A modest list of debating points about Mandatory Public School Uniforms. (2001, April 7).
[available at http://schooluniforms-not.org/debates.html].
