Uniforms at Schools as a Way to Minimize Violence - Essay Example

Schools Should Require Uniforms in Order to Minimize Violence and Increase Safety’ of the of the ‘Schools Should Require Uniforms In Order to Minimize Violence and Increase Student Safety’ Introduction Man is a social animal. We are all members of a particular society, and at times members of different groups or sub groups as well. For instance, a boy student can be a member of his school, his class and his group of friends. He might also be a member of his local neighborhood club, or a school fraternity. Every society or group likewise has adopted some rules and regulations that classify and identify its members. It might be a certain haircut, or color of the hair, clothing or emblem- even a password that changes every week. Likewise every club or group has its own purpose (www.schoolsecurity.org). The adoption of a common uniform for every child going to school not only helps identify and classify that child as a member of that particular school but also gives a sense of belonging and identity to the child that once in school, he or she must conform to their rules and regulations. Another very good purpose for a school uniform is that it makes all students easily identifiable and can help in increasing student safety while reducing cases of violence and quarrels in the school premises. Discussion The debate as to whether we should go for one uniform for the entire student population of a school has been going on for many years. Parents and other people opposing this scheme state that it robs students of their individuality and self confidence. It makes them conform to one standard which could be so boring. It could undermine and interfere with their need for self expression. All these arguments are quite all right to entertain but has anyone ever noted that students do not spend more than half their waking hours in school. From the moment they are home, they are allowed to be themselves and dress as they wish. No one is putting boundaries on them here. There is quite enough time to unwind and be themselves while at home or on their own (Keifer, 2011). Students are also members of the boy scouts or girl guides, which use a certain uniform and regalia that not only makes them look smart and elegant, but identifies them as members of that particular fraternity. They are taught to be more confident and self sufficient, get survival skills as well as the ability to help others in distress- especially in cases of emergency. They can likely help you survive in the desert and know first aid and related skills. No one grudges them or complains about their uniform- in fact it is appreciated because it helps identify them as helping and caring members of humanity wherever they go. In the same manner, we are also taught to recognize and appreciate the members of our armed forces- whether navy, air force or ground forces. Their grooming and their dress i.e. uniforms make them easily identifiable among others (Wilde, 2011). Even girls are supposed to love a guy in uniform. They know that the person wearing the uniform has a healthy self image and is able to take care not only of himself but others as well. In fact that uniform that he or she is wearing is earned by going through some tough training requiring sweat, blood and tears. The same can be said of the scouts as they learn and perfect their skills through practice and hard work. Similarly one standard uniform at school helps all conform to a single standard. It reduces chances of discrimination based on the way we are dressed as we look the same to our teachers and superiors. Everyone in school should conform to the same rules and regulations and wearing the same uniform is one of them. In the same way we find that much of the service industry especially those at the front desk are ordered to be well groomed and wear the designated uniform while on the job. This is widely noticeable in the hotel industry, the airline industry, even among chauffeurs for example. The simple reason is that it looks and feels good. No self respecting businessman would like to be driven around town by a chauffeur from a hired service looking like he is in need of a haircut, a shave and a new jacket. It would reflect badly on the businessman and the choices he makes. It is a known fact that if we dress well and take the trouble to be well groomed- we are going to be in the best of shape and spirits. Even our public and emergency services like policeman and emergency medical technicians are required to dress in a particular uniform while on the job- be it a white overcoat or a red or dark blue uniform from head to toe. The helmets, the belts and the shoes of these public servicemen and servicewomen are often also emblazoned with particular marks of identification such as the organization’s name, an abbreviation or coat of arms that identifies them and makes them stand out. No doubt you will also find them well groomed most of the time which is a logical step to looking and feeling good while on the job. One can also never get these uniforms from a regular clothing store- workers are issued uniforms made to order and are also given a spare set to use when the other is being washed and ironed. This ensures that they are always well turned out and can do their duty as designated. Let us for a moment look at the other side of the problem and discuss its merits and demerits. There are parents who claim that there is no time to wash and iron the same uniform day in and day out. For these parents I will submit that the easiest way out is to have two sets of uniforms- one can be kept washed and ironed while the other is being worn. Also if the uniform does not change and you have two children of the same sex but of different ages going to the same school, the older uniform can be handed down to the younger sibling if it is still in good shape. For people who find conformity boring, it is simply a lack of discipline that is the problem here. How come those same people will don a uniform at work without much fuss while serving at Home Depot or at McDonalds or KFC? One would better like to conform rather than stand out like a bad egg. This is what new entrants and job aspirants unconsciously imbibe while on their visits to a hiring firm. If a uniform is part of that behavior, then so be it. You can either conform or find a job elsewhere that caters to your individuality. Best of luck. A uniform not only proves that you are part of an organization, it is a silent reminder that you are at work and must display work etiquette, skills and behavior. In an experiment in the old USSR, the army was once told to wear no uniform for a day. As they showed up at work, there was nothing to distinguish senior officers from juniors and skirmishes broke out in the mess just due to people not wearing their uniforms. Maybe they just wanted to settle some old scores at work but it proves the importance of a uniform nevertheless. Coming to the point as to how wearing the similar attire will be a help in stopping violence and increasing the safety of students, it will help reduce chances of students being molested or kidnapped as they will be easily identifiable by their uniforms, height, weight, probable age and other distinguishable features. It is suggested that if a copy of each student’s photo is retained every year and also printed with their current address on a wearable identity card, this can help reduce crime and identify victims. By making students conform to the idea of wearing the same uniform, it not only makes them more obedient and disciplined, it will also help in reducing chances of envy and jealousy and stop unnecessary quarrels while at school. Onlookers will definitely recognize their more distinguishable features as their uniform is the same and therefore indistinguishable. By reducing the number of pockets and other hidden areas in schoolbags and carryalls, we will also help reduce crime as opportunities to carry arms, knives and other metal instruments will be discouraged. In fact it is recommended to install metal detectors at the gates of schools, search the schoolbags of students who are known as troublemakers from time to time and keep an eye out for any displays of rowdy behavior which must be corrected at all costs. It may also help to have students as lookouts for any undesirable behavior and have it reported to the school as and when it occurs, preventing another Columbine like tragedy (Toppo, 2009).When parents are in the know about how their children are behaving at school, they will also make attempts to correct any deviances and find out the reasons for these occurrences. Bullying, aggression and gang violence may also be controlled in this way (CDC, 2011). Conclusion We have looked carefully at the issue of using one standard uniform for all students of a particular school and arrived at the conclusion that it can aid in reducing discrimination, envy and jealousy among students while also promoting the cause of unity and identity. At the same time it can act as a deterrent to crime and violence by increasing standards of safety and compliance to rules and regulations. References Keifer, Kate (2011). What is a Rogerian Argument? Accessed on 28 Nov 2011 at http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/teaching/co300man/com5e1.cfm The CDC Website (2011). About School Violence. Accessed on 28 Nov 2011 at http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/youthviolence/schoolviolence/ Toppo, Greg (2009). Ten Years Later, the real story behind Columbine. USA Today, 14 April 2009. Accessed on 28 Nov 2011 at http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2009-04-13-columbine-myths_N.htm Website of the National School and Security Services (2007). Gang and Gang Violence. Accessed on 28 Nov 2011 at http://www.schoolsecurity.org/trends/gangs.html Wilde, Marian (2011). Do Uniforms Make Schools Better? Accessed on 28 Nov 2011 at http://www.greatschools.org/find-a-school/defining-your-ideal/121-school-uniforms.gs Read More