That may be the reaction from many school aged children when asked about their thoughts on school uniforms, but school officials have begun to wonder if the United States shouldn't be sending all their children off to school in matching jumpers and sweaters like so many other countries already do.
I have to begin this assignment by touching briefly on my own experiences with school uniforms. After my freshman year in high school, I was in the market for a private school... but I had one condition. I would not, under any circumstances, consider attending a school in which I had to wear a skirt every day (I was a bit of a jock after all...). The best school in the world could have admitted me with a full scholarship, but I wouldn't have even looked at their brochure. Looking back, I realize that clothing requirements may not have been the most valid reason for choosing a school, but as a 14 year old I sure thought it was important.
Nowadays, I'm on the other side of the coin. I am teaching in a Boston Public School that has recently implemented a whole school mandatory uniform policy. Children are required to wear white shirts with colors and long black pants. Brand, style, and fabric aren't important, the rule is black and white... literally. This past year was a struggle. Some kids came to school day in and day out in perfect uniform. Some of them had some off days ("No Asia... blue jeans are not black pants, that's why they're called blue jeans..."). And a handful of kids wore whatever they wanted every day of the year and the parents could have cared less. But as an educator, what do you do? If you send kids home, they miss class. If you let them stay, five more kids show up out of uniform the next day. And somehow giving them a white t shirt every day makes them look "cool" and "rebellious" to their peers.
Ideologies:
This issue is clearly divided into two ideological schools of thought. An ideology is a one or a group of beliefs that guides an individual, group, institution, or class. Wikipedia calls it "an organized collection of ideas"
Ideology #1 - YES to mandatory uniform policies
Mandatory uniform policies in public schools have been increasing in popularity in the past few years. Proponents of the policy (often parents, teachers, and administrators) believe in a few basic principles:
1. School uniforms will help decrease violence in schools by:
- preventing children from wearing gang colors or symbols
- banning expensive clothing and shoes that could get stolen (sometimes violently) in school
- help adults recognize people who did not belong on campus
- instill a stronger sense of community
2. School uniforms will help children focus on academics by eliminating distractions regarding clothing and looks.
3. School uniforms will alleviate some of the social barriers faced by children of a lower socio-economic status by eliminating the need to buy expensive clothes to fit in with peers. The belief is that buying school uniforms is more cost-effective for parents than buying traditional school clothes.
Ideology #2 - NO to mandatory uniform policies
Some groups are very vocal about their opposition to school uniform policies. This group (often made up of students, some parents, and liberal societies such as the ACLU) adhere to a few basic beliefs:
1. Students have a right to dress as they wish in a public environment. Mandating a certain type of dress takes away students freedom to be an individual.
2. School uniform policies prohibits teenagers from expressing themselves, which is an important part of adolescent development.
3. School uniforms aren't any cheaper than regular school clothes. In fact, uniform policies are expensive because parents must buy two sets of clothing for their children - one for school and one for when their child is with their friends.
4. People in this ideological group don't generally believe that uniforms actually have the positive effects that are claimed (reducing violence, increasing academic focus, evening out economic barriers). They point to lack of support for these claims in the research.
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