Children Should Not Wear School Uniforms

Children Should Not Wear School Uniforms

In America today, there is an ongoing debate whether it should be imperative or not for students in year-round and public schools to put on uniforms. It is undeniable that institutions of learning should be avenues that enhance student's learning and creativity. Indeed, it is hard for this objective to be achieved if the students are denied a chance to express their individuality. School uniforms not only limit the student’s freedom of expression but also are expensive as compared to regular clothing. Still there are hardliners more inclined to the contrary. Their claims are based on an age-old belief that school uniforms encourage equality among the students. What they actually fail to realize is that tectonics is shifting beneath their feet. Modern learning environment demand changes to adapt to the innovation tide sweeping across the globe.  Therefore, the benefits of not wearing school uniforms in public and year-round schools outweigh the policy's disadvantages.

Lumsden, L., & Miller, G. (2002). Dress Codes and Uniforms. Research Roundup, 18(4), n4. Retrieved from: http://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED465198

Most public schools are a haven for the less fortunate in the society.  Lumsden & Miller (2002) argue that additional costs spend on the purchase of expensive school uniforms are an extra burden for parents struggling to make ends meet. It is also notable that most students that attend year-round schools cater for their own learning expenses. Therefore, restraining the poor students from attending classes in ordinary wear is bias to the less fortunate in the society.

Brunsma, D. L. (2004). The school uniform movement and what it tells us about American education: A symbolic crusade. Lanham, Md. [u.a.: ScarecrowEducation. Retrieved from: http://www.worldcat.org/title/school-uniform-movement-and-what-it-tells-us-about-american-education-a-symbolic-crusade/oclc/260119122

The author of the book claims that most clothing stores are shifting focus to fashionable wears. The fact that school uniforms' demand is constantly deteriorating implies that investment in uniform chains stores is taking a severe hit. As a result, the supplies of the school clothing are limited. This is becoming a challenge for parents and students as they spend more time looking for school uniform outlets instead of engaging in constructive activities like studying.

Bodine, Ann. "School uniforms, academic achievement, and uses of research."The Journal of Educational Research 97.2 (2003): 67-71. Retrieved from: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00220670309597509

In her research, Bodine (2003) confirms through analysis of multiple studies that there is no additional advantage whatsoever to students wearing school uniforms in comparison to those that don’t. Smart students will still excel irrespective of the type of clothing they have while in class. In fact, there are theories suggesting that students attending class sessions without school uniforms do better because they are mentally free to grow intellectually.

Craik, J. (2005). Uniforms Exposed. Uniformierungen in Bewegung, 37. Retrieved from: https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=fh4zedVtE8UC&oi=fnd&pg=PA37&dq=argument+against+school+uniforms&ots=Px-NwZ9_pm&sig=GysPojhFRqc4kNKR_crW9RnxzB0

In Craik’s book, interviewed school experts admit that school is a dull environment when all students are in the same uniform. If students are in regular clothing, it is much easier for a teacher to pinpoint areas of strengths and weakness hence the ability to address student’s needs at an individual level. It is not surprising that some unique talents fades away or are discovered during sunset years of an individual’s life. Scrapping off school uniforms can usher in an era of education rejuvenation and rediscovery.

West, C. K., Tidwwll, K. K., Bomba, A. K., & Elmore, P. A. (1999). Attitudes of parents about school uniforms. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences,91(2), 92. Retrieved from: http://search.proquest.com/openview/88bf6463b0430b92fea5ce4d6911c0be/1?pq-origsite=gscholar

West et al. (1999) states that in the United States alone, thousands of students drop out of school prematurely. Some of them give varied reasons for their termination of learning that include the school uniform as a mandatory requirement. A significant fraction claims that they feel tortured and traumatized as they are forced against their wishes to attend classes in uniforms. Those unable to purchase the official school wear have no other option but to quit school and wish for the best.

In summary, it is clear that the evidence posted in the articles support the argument that children attending traditional public and year-round schools should not wear uniforms.  An effort should be made to ensure that all students have a chance to express their individualism and explore their unique talents. Allowing regular clothing in school is the first step towards achieving this goal.

References

Bodine, Ann. "School uniforms, academic achievement, and uses of research."The Journal of Educational Research 97.2 (2003): 67-71. Retrieved from: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00220670309597509

Brunsma, D. L. (2004). The school uniform movement and what it tells us about American education: A symbolic crusade. Lanham, Md. [u.a.: ScarecrowEducation. Retrieved from: http://www.worldcat.org/title/school-uniform-movement-and-what-it-tells-us-about-american-education-a-symbolic-crusade/oclc/260119122

Craik, J. (2005). Uniforms Exposed. Uniformierungen in Bewegung, 37. Retrieved from: https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=fh4zedVtE8UC&oi=fnd&pg=PA37&dq=argument+against+school+uniforms&ots=Px-NwZ9_pm&sig=GysPojhFRqc4kNKR_crW9RnxzB0

Lumsden, L., & Miller, G. (2002). Dress Codes and Uniforms. Research Roundup, 18(4), n4. Retrieved from: http://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED465198

West, C. K., Tidwwll, K. K., Bomba, A. K., & Elmore, P. A. (1999). Attitudes of parents about school uniforms. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences,91(2), 92. Retrieved from: http://search.proquest.com/openview/88bf6463b0430b92fea5ce4d6911c0be/1?pq-origsite=gscholar