Free Essays on School Uniforms

Public school systems across the country are now requiring students to wear uniforms. Can uniforms really make a difference in a child’s academic performance? Wouldn't uniforms infringe the child’s creativity and self expression? The clothes don't make the child right (Hempill A15)? Wrong. School uniforms can drastically reduce school violence and help a student to focus on school work. In 1996, President Clinton endorsed public school uniforms in his State of the Union Address(Atkins 42). This created a rage among some education critics across the country. Critics complain that uniforms will lessen children’s individualism and creativity, infringing students’ rights and hint of racism. While proponents believe, uniforms will put the students emphasis on schoolwork instead of dressing coolly, and they will help to lower school violence. The idea comes from a Californian elementary school in Long Beach. In 1994, Long Beach became the country's first public school district to institute a mandatory uniform policy"(Atkins 42). The results were so promising that they lead to the President’s endorsement. The school saw a fifty-one percent drop in physical fights, a thirty-four percent drop in assaults and batteries, a fifty percent drop in weapons offenses, and a thirty-two percent drop in school suspensions(Mancini 65). All this in a time span of only one year. Proving that a child’s clothes does make a difference in school violence. In a time when school children are getting killed for designer jackets and shoes, uniforms are exactly what our children need(Mancini 63). Critics say that school uniform inhibit self expression. If you take away a child's self expression through clothing, you force that child to express his or herself in other ways. This might even force a child to resort to even more violent forms of expression, like through writing and art. In today’s society, students are fightin... Free Essays on School Uniforms Free Essays on School Uniforms School Uniforms Years ago I would argue that wearing school uniforms infringes on freedom of self- expression and individuality however now that I’m older I support the wearing of school uniforms in public school at the elementary, middle and also high-school levels. School uniforms may not solve the problem of violence or disruptive behavior in the public schools, but it is a step in the right direction. The implementation of uniforms can promote good order and discipline, communicate respect, reduce the competition/envy of brand-name clothing, and provide a serious learning environment. Peer pressure in school can be overwhelming. At times peer pressure can entice students to do things they may not normally do. Keeping with "In-Style" clothing and accessories at school can be emotionally taxing to students and expensive to the parents. These types of problems sometimes overshadow the importance of academics in public schools. No one ever wants to be ridiculed for what type of clothing he or she may wear to school. Some children who go to public schools may come from low-income families, which make them stand out amongst their peers. School uniforms can help minimize some of these problems. They help decrease the destructive competition among students to wear the stylish outfits. The uniforms can help low-income children feel more apart of the school environment. Uniforms can also be financially beneficial to families, Instead of buying our children brand-name shoes and designer clothing, parents could be buying a few sets of uniforms and buy trendy clothing for aft er school wear. Most local retailers offer school uniforms at affordable prices. In some areas such as Baltimore Maryland parents can submit a request to the school for their children to receive financial aid with clothing in order to adhere to the school uniform policy. School uniforms inspire students to become apart of a team, rather than being a single player. Some ... Free Essays on School Uniforms Implementing School Uniforms â€Å"A child was brutally beaten today when he fought back against another student who tried to steal his brand new sneakers.† This is a headline that is becoming all too familiar to us. In the past few years, city schools have had a number of serious problems concerning students being ridiculed or being attacked simply because of their attire. School used to be a safe place for children to learn during the day. Students should not be afraid to attend school, but often that is the case. They have to live with the fear of being hurt or ridiculed by the other students that deem them to be different. Many times in our society the class structure is often exposed through material items. Children are often shielded from this, but it becomes evident in the clothes they wear to school. Whether it is a rich kid who finds himself in danger for having more, or a poor kid who is ridiculed for not having enough, this is a problem that needs to be solved. School officials in many c ity schools have begun to regulate this problem by making it mandatory that the students wear uniforms. This is a valid solution to a problem that many times prevents children from receiving a proper education. Uniforms should be implemented to prevent these circumstances, which have an enormous affect on the educating process in our public schools throughout the nation. When you hear about the violence that plagues today’s schools, uniforms are usually the first applicable solution to the problem. Uniforms continue to be an upcoming issue in the minds of school officials, parents, and even the President. In the article titled, â€Å"Uniforms, Expulsions Not Just for Private Schools† it states that; President Bill Clinton promoted uniforms in public schools in his State of the Union Address in January or 1996, when he praised them as â€Å"a way to promote safety and discipline in schools†. Clinton also stated: I challenge al... Free Essays on School Uniforms School Uniforms Years ago I would argue that wearing school uniforms infringes on freedom of self- expression and individuality however now that I’m older I support the wearing of school uniforms in public school at the elementary, middle and also high-school levels. School uniforms may not solve the problem of violence or disruptive behavior in the public schools, but it is a step in the right direction. The implementation of uniforms can promote good order and discipline, communicate respect, reduce the competition/envy of brand-name clothing, and provide a serious learning environment. Peer pressure in school can be overwhelming. At times peer pressure can entice students to do things they may not normally do. Keeping with "In-Style" clothing and accessories at school can be emotionally taxing to students and expensive to the parents. These types of problems sometimes overshadow the importance of academics in public schools. No one ever wants to be ridiculed for what type of clothing he or she may wear to school. Some children who go to public schools may come from low-income families, which make them stand out amongst their peers. School uniforms can help minimize some of these problems. They help decrease the destructive competition among students to wear the stylish outfits. The uniforms can help low-income children feel more apart of the school environment. Uniforms can also be financially beneficial to families, Instead of buying our children brand-name shoes and designer clothing, parents could be buying a few sets of uniforms and buy trendy clothing for aft er school wear. Most local retailers offer school uniforms at affordable prices. In some areas such as Baltimore Maryland parents can submit a request to the school for their children to receive financial aid with clothing in order to adhere to the school uniform policy. School uniforms inspire students to become apart of a team, rather than being a single player. Some ... Free Essays on School Uniforms Public school systems across the country are now requiring students to wear uniforms. Can uniforms really make a difference in a child’s academic performance? Wouldn't uniforms infringe the child’s creativity and self expression? The clothes don't make the child right (Hempill A15)? Wrong. School uniforms can drastically reduce school violence and help a student to focus on school work. In 1996, President Clinton endorsed public school uniforms in his State of the Union Address(Atkins 42). This created a rage among some education critics across the country. Critics complain that uniforms will lessen children’s individualism and creativity, infringing students’ rights and hint of racism. While proponents believe, uniforms will put the students emphasis on schoolwork instead of dressing coolly, and they will help to lower school violence. The idea comes from a Californian elementary school in Long Beach. In 1994, Long Beach became the country's first public school district to institute a mandatory uniform policy"(Atkins 42). The results were so promising that they lead to the President’s endorsement. The school saw a fifty-one percent drop in physical fights, a thirty-four percent drop in assaults and batteries, a fifty percent drop in weapons offenses, and a thirty-two percent drop in school suspensions(Mancini 65). All this in a time span of only one year. Proving that a child’s clothes does make a difference in school violence. In a time when school children are getting killed for designer jackets and shoes, uniforms are exactly what our children need(Mancini 63). Critics say that school uniform inhibit self expression. If you take away a child's self expression through clothing, you force that child to express his or herself in other ways. This might even force a child to resort to even more violent forms of expression, like through writing and art. In today’s society, students are fightin...