Plaid is Bad!!  

 By:Chantelle Rideout

    Should school uniforms be required in public schools? No, they definitely should not be. Students have enough rules as it is, and there is no reason for another useless one. What students wear is an expression of who they are. It’s a proven fact that trying to make them dress like a clone of the perfect student will not make them one. It may mask who they are, but at the end of the day when the mask comes off they are still the same person, no better, no worse, no nicer, no smarter. Mandatory school uniforms is taking away students right to free expression, and is useless because it does not change or benefit anyone.
    Some people say putting students in school uniforms will make them treat everyone more equally. Well, they are wrong. Most people do their best to treat everyone equal, but for those who don’t, giving someone a uniform isn’t going to make them stop. How hard can it be to find something else to pick on? They could put them down because of their friends, hair, family, money situation, or even things a small as lunches and lunch money.
    The more rules you make, the more rebellion you will have.

 For example, if you were inside a box that was really small, you would want to step over the line more than if you were inside a bigger box:  The box

represents rules. You obviously do need some boundaries. Just because you need some rules doesn’t mean you have to take it to the extreme. No matter how big the box someone will always try to step over the line. You know that, what you want to do is create a good sized box. Don’t make the box too big, letting students do whatever, but not too small either, making pointless rules. Students know that you are in charge, but they aren’t going to respect you unless you respect them, their differences, and their rights.
    Another widely known argument in favor of uniforms is that they will reduce bad behavior and drug use, and improve students academic achievement. A very detailed study by Dr. David L. Brunsma, University of Alabama, and Kerry A. Rockquemore, Notre Dame proved all those points wrong. They did an objective, descriptive study on the effects of school uniforms on high school students. They discovered that uniforms cause no decrease in behavioral problems or drug problems at all. Even more surprisingly, while testing their hypotheses that uniforms improve academic achievement, they discovered uniforms had negative effects on students marks! So, it’s obvious school uniforms are not going to solve these problems. The study showed the real cause for behavioral problems and drug use was attitudes against school, peers, and “academic preparedness”. So if uniforms don’t solve our problems, cause academic problems, and violate our rights to free expression, what’s the point in having them? There is none.
    On a website for students to debate popular subjects called YouDebate.Com, a student submitted an excellent reason for not wearing school uniforms. He said, “I am totally AGAINST school uniforms! One reason, of many, is Safety of the Students. For example: During a natural disaster (God Forbid) Earthquake,  Tornado, etc… How would a parent I.D. their child? By the clothes they were wearing, when they left home. What if a senior decided to attack a 9th -or- 10th grade student. How would the victim describe the attacker? Lets see, Khaki Pants - Navy Blue Shirt - Brown Shoes. You get the picture. This was, and is, and will ALWAYS BE a VERY BAD idea.”
    Matching outfits will make students look the same, but won’t change how they act. Uniforms are pointless, and restrict the self expression of students. If you are always telling students to be unique and be themselves, then why are you trying to make them all dress the same? Maybe you should start practicing what you preach. Dressing students isn’t your job, teaching them is. So do everyone a favor and just do your job.

Works Cited

 

Brunsma, Dr.David L. and Rockquemore, Kerry A.. "Effects of Student        Uniforms on Attendance, Behavior Problems, Substance Abuse, and    Academic Achievement.." School Uniforms: Research, Court Cases,      Opinions and arguments, Relevant sites. 13 Feb. 1998. Department of       Sociology, University of Notre Dame. 08 May. 2003           <http://www.geocities.com/school_uniforms/study98.html.>

 

"School Uniform Debate and Poll." Online posting. Would School Uniforms           Improve Our Schools? 08 May. 2003. <http://www.youdebate.com/DEBATES/schooluniforms.HTM>.

 

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