Assignment #14 - Persausive Essay: Uniforms

      It is a common misconception that enforcing a strict uniform policy makes for a more well-organized school. This is a false statement. Uniforms cause discomfort and distraction from school studies. They do not impair the segregation between students of different social classes, and furthermore, uniforms will cause more rebellion. You do not have to have uniforms in order to become a good systematized and structured school. There are many negative outcomes that can, and feasibly will, arise if uniforms are imposed amongst our school.

    Being told what you may and may not wear causes not only physical discomfort but mental discomfort as well. The students are very much aware of what they intend to wear as opposed to what they are required to wear. This subconscious awareness will cause students to focus their efforts more on this subject matter than on the curriculum being taught in class. The student becomes more concerned with why they have to be in uniform and what’s going to happen if they are not abiding the dress code. This takes away from the attention guided en route of the lesson plan. Not only this, but students do not always feel that their complexion works in favor of the specified uniform. Then the students become more concerned with how they look and why other people can pull off a uniform better. Again, this is energy that should be exerted on the studies within the classroom, not on a uniform.

    Students tend to separate themselves in accordance with different social classes. It is presumed by many that uniforms may be a valid means of managing this issue. This presumption is also false. You can tell the divergence in quality of clothing rather it be uniforms or blue jeans. Students who really care about social classes will recognize when another student is not of the same social status. Unless uniforms are bought from the school and are, therefore, of the same eminence and brand name, students will still segregate. However, it would be very time consuming to organize a uniform store at the school. Also, schools should be focused on academics and NOT on uniforms.

     Adolescents, it seems, are all about doing the opposite of what we are told. You tell us to be home by 10 and we will come home at 11:30. You tell us to clean our room and we will sneak out to go to a concert. Why would uniforms be any different? If you tell a teenager to tuck in their shirt and wear a black belt with khaki pants, do you really think they are going to do it? As a current high school student who went to a uniform middle school, I know they will not. Students would much rather get suspended and spend a day at home than tuck in their shirts. And expulsion? Even better! If you get kicked out you have more of a chance to go to a school that does not enforce a uniform policy. The punishments for not abiding these rules are usually more of a reward in the students’ eyes.

    Uniforms can cause a variety of problems. In fact, most people would agree that they cause more problems and hassles than they solve. So why try so hard to enforce them? Having to enforce a uniform policy is going to be a lot more work for the staff and administration. This is added stress that no one in the school needs. Allowing the students to dress as they wish will also allow the teachers and other staff to learn more about the individual as much of our personality is reflected in our clothing. Students will be uncomfortable and focus less of their attention on school work. Many problems, such as social segregation, will remain unresolved, and finally rebellion will most likely increase. I advise the school board to take this into consideration as they make their final decision on whether or not our school should impose a uniform policy.