Why Students Have to Wear Uniforms - Essay Example

Why Have To Wear Uniforms For many years, there has been a raging debate about whether schoolchildren should wear uniforms to schools. While the proponents of this course articulate their arguments on the ground of equality and social justice to the pupils and students, the antagonistic views attract attention in equal measure (Ebert and Culyer 11). Nevertheless, to determine the best appropriate measure or decision to pursue, it is imperative to weigh the pros and cons of the two sides of the debate (Delaney 14). It is understandable that the rights of the student to put on the fabrics of their choice should not be trampled. Nonetheless, schools are social institutions where children of various calibers gather to share knowledge and facilities. In this respect, there ought not to be any conflict of interests as far as their individual rights are concerned (Bowen 42). While both arguments could have some benefits attached to them, it is worthy to note that it is better to allow schoolchildren to wear uniforms to schools than the contrary especially considering the fact that the contemporary society is very unequal and education ought to play an equalizing role in the society. According to Ebert and Culyer, opinions are divided as to whether there are benefits attached to wearing school uniforms, as both sides of the debate present facts to support their arguments (26). While the proponents of the debate argue that school uniforms enable student s to attend classes well hence improving their overall academic grades and performance, the critiques strongly assert that the wearing of school informs neither guarantees security nor ensures safety of the student s while at school (Delaney 8). At this point, it is important to propose that school students have to wear uniforms for a number or reasons. For the most part, research has shown that dress policies have a significant impact on the learning of students. This has been particularly so in areas and schools with broad diversities of students meaning that the students have little commonalities if any, besides education that unites them all (Ebert and Culyer 21). Therefore, it is essential for students to wear school uniforms if cohesion in schools is to be realized. Besides, the schools promoting wearing of uniforms by students normally record high graduation and attendance rates (Brunsma 4). This is majorly because many students feel motivated to learn alongside other students who are dressed in the same attire and working towards similar objectives although aspirations could differ (Bowen 4). In as much as there was a remarkable improvement in graduation and attendance figures, it is also critical to note that the wearing of school uniforms by students does not improve their academic grades whatsoever (Bowen 5). With this in mind, critics of school uniforms argue their case that school uniforms do not provide improvements to the safety of the schools and the academic discipline of the student in general (Delaney 28). Undoubtedly, academic discipline and excellence are the key qualifications that a student is supposed to derive from a school and if school uniforms do not contribute sign significantly towards attaining any of these two, then the school uniforms are definitely redundant in the contemporary society (Ebert and Culyer 11). Another point worth noting about the unnecessary burden that school uniforms cause to student is that they grossly violate the liberty of the student in the sense that the students reserve the rights and freedoms to put on what they deem comfortable. Ebert and Culyer emphasize on the necessity of considering the fate of those who dislike the uniforms for the sake of social justice despite the fact that most students feel comfortable in school uniforms (11). School uniforms deny certain students the right to dress the way they like due to the harmonious dress code policy in schools. Moreover, the idea of school uniforms is an unneeded expense to poor parents especially those who heavily depend on free education in public schools, as it literary adds no academic value to their children’s life (Ebert and Culyer 12). Perhaps the most compelling reason as to why students should not wear uniforms in schools is that clothes are the best way students can express themselves best in terms of personality traits and hobbies (Delaney 9). This actually means that when students put on clothes of their choices, they will be comfortable to explore other areas of their creativity and get to understand each other better. Furthermore, school uniforms should not be embraced in a capitalistic state because it is an outdated idea of communism that no longer contributes to the social morality of the society. In a capitalistic society, everyone including students, reserve the right to have and on private entities including but not limited to dress codes (Bowen 14). Although the critiques of school uniform provide strong points to consider in their debate, it is worthy to note that the arguments by the opponents of school uniforms do not meet the threshold required to abolish the school uniforms (Delaney 28). In essence the critiques simply give pseudo excuses rather than presenting real concerns about the adverse effects if school uniforms. As their names suggest, school uniforms provide uniformity in schools, a necessary ingredient for learning by diverse cultures. Undeniably, the modern world has enabled the establishment and development of several metropolises that host several diverse families. In this regard, students ought to wear school uniform in schools in order to overcome the complexities and challenges that come with diversity (Brunsma 16). First, the idea of uniformity of dress code in schools prevents the mushrooming of gangs in schools that would hinder the progress of the school in terms of output and performance. Definitely, gangs would suddenly crop out of students when the students are given the choice of selecting their own dress codes (Ebert and Culyer 11). Another convincing reason as to why students should wear school uniforms is the fact that school uniforms have a way of instilling discipline on students, contrary to what the opponents of the same believe (Bowen 3). Bowen states that discipline arises out of shares objectives and ability to regard other as equals (14). Without school uniforms, students with better dress codes would easily bully those from poor families in the sense that they will develop a tendency to look down upon those who do not meet their standards hence there will be disharmony with in a particular school (Ebert and Culyer 21). On the other hand, discipline plays a key role in improving the general attitude of the students towards education in the sense that students will develop a tendency to attend schools, which will result in increased transition rates within various levels of education (Delaney 8). Besides, school uniforms play an important role in leveling the feeling of guilt by some students due to economic disparities (Brunsma 24). By ensuring a uniform dress code, school uniforms provide a fair playground for all students by providing an enabling environment for most if not all students to excel in their studies (Delaney 38). This will go a long way in diminishing the distractions caused by unique dress codes that will sprout in schools due to economic and social status of students. Normally, some bright but needy students become frustrated by the lifestyle of the well-off students hence not performing best in school. When all is harmonized in terms of school attire, such students normally have the confidence to face off with rich students both in curricular and co-curricular activities (Bowen 14). A case in point is the majority of American schools where students do not wear uniforms. Usually, over 160,000 students miss schools every year for fear of frustration and intimidation by other students who have trendy attire (Ebert and Culyer 11). Lastly, but more importantly, school uniforms enhance a sense of belonging within the school in addition to increasing the school pride (Delaney 8). It does this in which sense the school administrations are able to identify and differentiate between legitimate students and intruders who may be in to cause havoc within the school compound (Brunsma 24). Thus, students ought to wear school uniforms so that such attacks as the shooting incident can be easily be detected and contained within reasonable time. This means that school uniforms provide safety to the student themselves and the school at large (Bowen 14). In conclusion, students ought to wear uniforms because it provides several essential benefits to the students than it does to the school. With school uniforms, every student is able to study competitively without any form of intimidation from other students, s everyone is equal. Moreover, students who were uniform do not always miss schools due to attire-related bullying. Lastly but more importantly, discipline is at its best in schools where students wear uniforms as compared to schools where uniforms is not necessary. While both arguments could have some benefits attached to them, it is worthy to note that it is better to allow schoolchildren to wear uniforms to schools than the contrary especially considering the fact that the contemporary society is very unequal and education ought to play an equalizing role in the society. References Bowen, Sherry Should Kids Wear School Uniforms? EduGuide. 2014. Web. 2 Feb 2014. Brunsma, David L. The School Uniform Movement and What It Tells Us about American Education: A Symbolic Crusade. Lanham, Md: ScarecrowEducation, 2004. Print. Delaney, Tim. Shameful Behaviors. Lanham, Md: University Press of America, 2008. Print. Ebert, Edward, and Richard Culyer. School: An introduction to education. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. 2011. Print. Read More