School Uniforms
School uniforms are worn primarily by
learners or students to school or an educational institution. They are widely
known and used in primary and secondary schools in various countries around the
world. It’s presumed that the concept of public school uniforms would have
caused a stir especially from parties seeing it as repressing student’s
self-expression and an attempt to infringe on their individuality in the 70’s
and 80’s. However, to date, many still oppose the idea of forcing students to
wear school uniforms claiming that it deprives them of the freedom of
expression. Those opposed to school uniforms believe students can use their
dressing code to express themselves just as they can do with art, hairstyle or
even music. Nevertheless, few schools still used public school uniforms in the
70's and 80’s. In 1994, the practice became prevalent when a mandatory
districtwide rule was adopted in Long Beach Calif., that would make all
elementary and middle school students wear school uniforms. Furthermore, in a
1997 state of the Union address, President Clinton included a pitch for school
uniforms in the United States Department of Education and sent a pamphlet to
every district countrywide on school uniforms and how they work. This was
received with much enthusiasm (Lewin).
At the time of countrywide school
uniform inception, school administrators witnessed great excitement from
students, parents, and teachers from all cities. Perhaps, the idea was indeed
brilliant. School uniforms would make it cheaper for parents to dress their
children to school and would breed a lot of self-esteem and unity. Moreover,
even kids who were initially opposed to the idea felt like they were being
treated with more respect with uniforms even as required by law in the society.
School uniforms would eliminate the unnecessary fashion competition at school
and promote a sense of equality among students from all walks of life. The
students also do not have to worry about what to and what not to wear to school
on a daily basis thus save time and pressure.
School uniforms are actually a critical
element in the life of students since they reveal their identity while also
conveying a certain clear message about an institution. School uniforms also
give learners a sense of belongingness as well as a place in the society.
School uniforms are well justified in schools as they are part and parcel of
students and it’s a necessity they require as citizens. School uniforms are
paramount to revealing the identity of students as well as where they learn.
Moreover, they can relay a clear message about a particular institution. This
means they will serve as identification elements that demand due respect and
recognition from the society. With school uniforms, it will be easier to
identify students from the rest of the society and also find them when they go
missing outside the school compound especially for juniors.
The different school uniforms worn by
students from distinct institutions are typically specific to each of the
schools existing which makes them feel unique. Furthermore, it expresses the
students’ dedication and loyalty towards working for the school’s excellence
and promoting it to higher academic levels. Uniforms give students a sense of
belongingness that makes them identify with each other and combine efforts to
achieve better results for their respective schools. The evaluation of the
average mean score of classes is done to assess performance and compare schools
in the district thus students from the same side should collaborate to emerge
the best. Comparison among schools cultivates the culture of competition both
in academic and non-academic or co-curricular activities. The identification
through school uniforms also makes students proud of their school when
competing with other schools. The uniform fully represents the symbol of the
school. Lastly, school uniforms can teach discipline especially since children
grow up to practice careers that may require them to put on uniform throughout
the workplace such as nurses among others (Lemouse).
Additional articles
Sexual assault is a forced or unwanted sexual activity. It may be in the form of forceful kissing, exhibitionism, rape and groping. Before sexual assault could begin, the victim might face various threats that make the culprit have the control of...Sexual-Assault-on-Campus …
Read ArticleThe debate on legalization of marijuana has been ongoing over the past decades but has never been this intense especially with the support it is receiving not just in the United States but among some other countries such as Canada and Mexico. The ...Should-the-federal-government-of-the-United-States-legalize-the-recreational-use-of-marijuana? …
Read ArticleIn the reading “The New Sovereignty by Shelby Steele,†the author challenges the orthodoxy of diversity that is very common in university campuses (451). He describes the embarking of the US government in the alteration and expansion of the en...Synthesis-Essay …
Read Article