Currituck County Schools



Should All Schools Have Required Uniforms? The issue of whether or not all schools should have required uniforms is very controversial. While some may argue that everyone should have the right to dress and represent themselves however they want, others may argue that it is both the school’s right and duty to see that the students are dressed appropriately. Perhaps school staff may even feel a certain responsibility to prepare their students for dress restrictions in the work place. So when dealing with this widely debated topic, right, duty, and responsibility all play a role. One reason many support this idea is for safety purposes. The existence of school violence is no secret; fights break out, including gang fights, and some people are targeted solely based on their clothing. “When students wear the same uniform, gang colors are negated, and there is no incentive to steal an article of clothing.” (eHow-pro) “President Clinton provided momentum to the school uniform movement when he said in his 1996 State of the Union speech, "If it means teenagers will stop killing each other over designer jackets, then our public schools should be able to require their students to wear school uniforms." (greatschools) “Uniforms also make it easier to identify potentially dangerous people who shouldn't be inside the building during school hours.” (eHow-pro) Not to mention students will spend less time worrying about if they are dressing “right” or in a way that will help to make them “popular.” Parents spend less money on clothes and more on “other important aspects of their children's education.” (eHow-pro) On the other side, opponents of this topic have equally strong points. Many share the opinion that “students shouldn't be compelled to wear a uniform as it takes away their individuality from them.” (eHow-con) While some argue that buying a uniform saves parents’ money, others counter this by pointing out that the uniform is something that can only be worn in school, while non-uniform clothes can be worn in school and for everyday purposes. Some say that this is an “unfair additional expense for parents who pay taxes for a free public education.” (greatschools) Also, countless other things besides clothing can cause discrimination between peers, including “the car their parents have, which neighborhood they live in, the brand of bags and pens used.” (eHow-con) Now rather than having quarrels in one school, there may be “strong distinctions between pupils from different schools,” (eHow-con) leading to the very types of fights the uniforms were meant to dispel. I am most definitely against schools having required uniforms. To expand upon the point that individuality is taken from those forced to wear them, consider how it may impact someone who hates wearing skirts to be forced to wear them every day. Skirts make it hard to be active, like in sports and running, and are awfully awkward to move around in. Also, uniforms are produced in mass quantities, so since many people’s discomforts vary (such as too loose/tight or too warm/cold clothes, or problems with rough materials), it’s practical to realize that many people would be left uncomfortable with a single uniform which simply couldn’t be perfect for everyone. And how prepared do we really need to be for the work force? When ready to work, we should be mature enough to understand the requirements of our chosen field, without having a five or so year practice in having uniforms to back us up. So, there are very good points for both sides. To know where you really stand, just take a moment to put yourself in the position of one with a uniform, and think about how it would impact your school life, your feeling of individuality, and whether or not this would really make you feel more ‘safe’ and ‘equal.’ Works CitedWilde, Marian. "Do uniforms make schools better?" GreatSchools. GreatSchools, Inc., 1 Nov. 2012. Web. 16 Jan 2013. <, Alex. "Pros & Facts About School Uniforms." eHow. Demand Media, 9 Feb. 2011. Web. 16 Jan 2013. <, Lisa. "Cons About Wearing School Uniforms." eHow. Demand Media, 2 Feb. 2011. Web. 17 Jan 2013. <;. ................
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