School Uniforms: An editorial (1 of 2)
1. decreasing violence and theft among students over designer clothing or expensive sneakers. Okay, one of the first purposes of public school is to teach children to prepare for real life. In real life, some people have things stolen. People have to decide whether or not wearing cute and expensive items is worth the risk. Middle school students-with guidance from their parents-need to learn this lesson. If you choose to wear these specific items, you may get hurt or your things might get stolen. My son has never worn a uniform in his life, but he leaves his electronic equipment home when he goes somewhere that might put him at risk. He was taught to do this, he has common sense…and he has parents who try to do their job.
2. prevent gang members from wearing gang colors and insignia at school: This has been a hot topic of discussion at our house. When my daughter first began wearing her uniform, she remarked one day that the uniforms were creating a problem for her that she hadn’t encountered before. Previously, she had been able to avoid gang members simply by avoiding anyone wearing gang insignia. Now, she sometimes found herself becoming friends with someone and discovering later that the girl was in a gang…she worried she would accidentally find herself in a bad situation because she did not know. Wouldn’t you think teachers would be anxious to know? In addition, you can take away the full gang outfit, but the gangs invariably come up with some new symbol. The schools find themselves in a never-ending chase to keep up. Ban the pants…they go for white shoelaces. Ban the shoelaces…they try a certain color of bobby socks. The chase goes on and no one can keep up. You cannot keep gang insignia out of schools.
3. Help students develop discipline. I can’t figure this one out. One argument I keep hearing for uniforms is that it allows children to get up and throw on clothing without wasting time wondering what to wear. That isn’t discipline; it’s mindless routine. Discipline is having a wardrobe full of clothes and selecting those appropriate for the activity. Having to meet a dress code would better serve this goal.
In part 2, I will cover the remaining arguments and sum up my feelings. (Not that they will be any surprise to you.) In the meantime, use my board to debate this hot
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