Pros and Cons of School Uniforms: The Ongoing Debate on Mandatory Policies

In the past few years, more attention is given to the educational system due to gang fights, assaults on teachers and faculties, and the horrifying and unexpected shootings in various schools throughout the United States. After many debates and investigations of these incidents, it is determined that gang-related activities and students with low self-esteem are the major contributing factors that entice some students to loose sight of the purpose of being in school.

In response to the concern of the American people over the slowly degrading educational system, one solution proposed by the government and school officials to improve discipline and learning standard is to mandate school uniforms in all educational levels: elementary, middle, and high schools. The opponents to the school uniforms argue that this proposal is just a quick cover-up, which in reality will have no positive result. They also say school uniforms eliminate kids freedom to express themselves and limit their creativity.

The pro-uniforms, on the other hand, see school uniforms as a positive and impacting way to make school a safe and disciplined learning environment for students. They believe that young people who are exposed to a safe and secure environment make better students. After carefully considering the pros and cons regarding this issue, one would determine that the educational system and specially the students would benefit from the implementation of the school uniforms.

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One benefit that school uniforms have on the educational system and the students is that it decreases violence and consequently, making school a safer place to learn. School uniforms discourage gang forming and gang-related activities because gang members can not wear their designated outfits, insignias, or style of clothing at school. Without school uniforms, gang members would wear certain colors clothes and symbol to identify themselves as a member of a gang.

For example, if a gang were formed and known in a school, they often make threats to teachers and other students who have disagreement with them. They also tend to instill fear in others by engaging in illegal activities on school ground. With the implementation of school uniforms, gangs can not have a physical presence in the schools and this will foster a learning environment for those students who really want to learn. Furthermore, with the uniforms school officials can easily recognize intruders who come to school to find trouble. This would prevent such crimes as rape or theft from outsiders.

In a school report from the city of Long Beach, California, the effect of the implementation of school uniform policy shows there has been a 91 percent drop in arrests, drug violations, and vandalism in the schools in that district. This shows that the uniforms in schools reduce gang forming and consequently, gang-related activities. In addition, intruders are deterred from committing crimes on school ground since they can easily be identified.

Another benefit that school uniforms generate is instilling students with discipline and self-control. Just as the uniforms promote uniformity, conformity, and discipline in the Armed Force, uniforms will also have the same effects in the schools. Those who oppose the school uniforms policy think that mandatory school uniforms eradicate kids free choice to express themselves in the way they dress. Their freedom is taken away. They have to dress in uniforms as if they were in the army. What makes the kids life so meaningless nowadays that he or she needs the latest fashion to feel a sense of self- worth or to express themselves? And have we become so superficial in this materialistic society that we forget the reason why the United States is a free and great country?

It is because of the uniformity, conformity, and discipline of many men and women in uniforms fighting to preserve our freedom. True freedom requires discipline because only through discipline can kids be all they can be in their lives. Complying with the uniform policy also teach kids to comply with rules/laws and respect authorities. In this way, the teachers can concentrate on teaching the students instead of having to deal with kid who dont follow rules and are disrespectful. Learning discipline and comply to rules will be beneficial for kids in the future because they will know how to comply with rules and policies in the company and also become good citizens.

In addition, school uniforms reduce peer pressure on students, which in turn help students concentrate on their schoolwork. Many people believe that uniforms wouldnt have prevented the shooting in Littleton. This is one hypothesis we will never solve. However, we know that the kids responsible for the shooting were psychologically damaged by the constant ridicule made by other students, particularly by the jocks. In a psychological study done by three psychologists Dr. Dishion, Dr. Patterson, and Dr. Stoolmiller, they found that kids who were ridiculed and rejected by their peers were more susceptible to engage in antisocial activities.

The peer pressure and mockery that a student receives could afflict a permanent scar on his or her mental balance. This does not only impair the students ability to learn but it also impels students to engage in misanthropic actions such as shooting others and suicidal. School uniforms reduce peer pressure because nerds and jocks would look more similar and the poorer students would look just as good as the more fortunate ones. In this way, superficial distraction associated with fashion clothes is eliminated and students can focus on what really matters: distinguishing themselves on the basic of merit in the classroom and on the sports field.

In conclusion, the benefits that school uniforms have on the educational system and the students will outweigh the few inconveniences that they might cause. Nevertheless, school uniforms by themselves can not solve all the problems of school discipline. In order for this policy to be successful, parents must actively collaborate with school officials to urge their children to comply with the policy and take interest in their children learning. The bottom line is, if parents dont have interest in their children education, their children will not be interested neither.

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