Pros for School Uniforms
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Posted by Dorit Sasson May 4, 2007 |
Recently my ninth grade students had read a comprehension text on School uniforms and all vehemently opposed the issue of uniforms stating that it would take away their individuality.
I can see where there is a a no-compromise on an adolescent's individuality. As a teacher, I see important benefits for reintroducing back into the school. However, I was sadly disappointed when our school did not rule in favor of them last year.
By wearing a school uniform, children are taught values that beauty is not skin deep, and they are not worse or better because they wore a torn metllica shirt. A lot of what youngsters are taught are fleshed in the materialistic and uniforms reintroduce a basic and important value in education. The success of students' moral achievements is just important as their SAT's and midterm grades.
One could argue that individuality is also about ipods, cell phones, and other gagets.There are plenty of opportunities for expressing one's individuality such as through self-expression in the arts. School curriculum should help engage students in developing their own creative art expression for example without relaying the element of peer pressure that can be damaging to students' egos and alter egos of their own self-esteem.
If student uniforms help students focus and concentrate more on their studies and learn of their own importance as individuals, then I am all in favor of them as an incentive for a value based education.
So what do you think about school uniforms? Should students be required to wear them? I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts in the discussion section.
