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Argumentative EssayIn Public School Uniforms: The Pros and Cons, the author begins the article saying, “Nearly 20% of all public schools have adopted uniform mandates. Approximately 22% of elementary schools, 19% of all middle schools, and 10% of high schools currently require uniforms, and this trend continues to accelerate” (Chen 1) Uniforms are becoming more and more common. It seems like it is becoming a trend, but there is some controversy on whether uniforms are beneficial or not. Schools should stop enforcing uniforms as they are a wearable prison, they are too expensive, and they stop the students from expressing their individuality.Uniforms are very expensive, and some parents just cannot afford it. In School uniforms: the good, the bad, and the plaid, the author shows some of the outrageous prices of uniforms, “The smallest sizes of the mandatory blazer for St. Katherine Drexel Preparatory High in Uptown cost $87 at Schumacher’s in Metairi,” (Dreilinger 6). Paying $87 for just one blazer is ridiculous. There are many families that cannot afford it and may change their children from schools, and children should not have to suffer some of the consequences of just because they cannot afford a blazer. The author also provides another example of schools with expensive uniforms , “McDonough 35, Carver, and Warren Easton high schools and Alice Harte elementary schools estimate the cost for a single uniform at more than $70” (Dreilinger 14). Most parents buy five uniforms, therefore, their child has one for each day of the week. If one uniform costs $70 then uniforms for a whole week cost $350. I know most parents are not willing to pay that price just for uniforms. Uniforms are very expensive, and same families are not able to afford it.In addition to uniforms being too costly, they also hinder self-expression of individuality through clothing. In The Bad Effects of School Uniforms the author explains the significance of students’ expression, “To strengthen the social skills and the confidence of children, schools should encourage them to proudly display their personalities and express their values” (Heuberger 4). If students are forced into wearing uniforms, then they will feel discouraged in displaying their personalities through clothes. Students should be allowed the freedom to convey their individuality, not be forced into being “behind bars” of a uniform every day. Many teenagers in middle and high school are going through a lot of changes and they experiment with fashion. Also, some students may not feel comfortable wearing uniforms. Gracie Chen brought attention to this when she said, “Additionally, female students may feel insecure about their bodies and feel that having a tucked in shirt will bring attention to their developing figures. When students do not feel comfortable in the required school uniform, their focus will shift from learning” (Chen 9). Many adolescents, especially girls, will feel uncomfortable during puberty and maybe their uniforms are unflattering and they may feel self-conscious while wearing it. Students learn better when they are comfortable because they can focus on what they are being taught. Schools should allow students to express themselves through clothes and to be comfortable in what they are wearing.Some people may argue that uniforms helps students stay focused because they are not concerned with the way they look. Gracie Chen mentioned the ideas that some people believe, “the socioeconomic differences present among students are minimized when all students must wear the same school uniform, no longer feeling the pressure to ‘fit in’ with the right clothing choices” (Chen 4). Even though this is a positive effect of uniforms, we should consider how some high performing schools do not have a uniform policy. Some examples are the three highest scoring schools in Chicago, and none of them require students to wear uniforms, this was mentioned in “A Uniform Solution?” (Okun 3). Getting rid of uniforms will be more beneficial than keeping them.School uniforms are a very controversial topic, and many more schools are deciding to jump in the bandwagon. There are many reasons why schools should leave uniforms behind. Uniforms are harmful to students, they stop their expression through clothes, and they are also very expensive. Schools should allow students to dress in clothes they like, and how they feel comfortable. Student should be in a schoolhouse, not a jailhouse. ................
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