Assignment 1.1 Conflicting Viewpoints Essay – Part I

ASSIGNMENT 1.1: CONFLICTING VIEWPOINTS ESSAY –PART I

Assignment1.1: Conflicting Viewpoints Essay –Part I

Should Students Have To Wear School Uniforms?

For decades, there have been debatable discussions betweengovernment, school, parents, and children whether students have towear school uniforms. Many people advocate for the implementation ofschool uniforms in educational system while only a few opposes it.Research and studies show that they have many beneficial impactscompared to the negative consequences. In my opinion, I stand by theargument that students should wear school uniforms.

Opponents argue that school uniforms restrict freedom of expression.Unfortunately, students shed off their constitutional right when theywear a uniform to school. In most schools with the uniform policy,they require male students to trim their hair, which is not lawfuljustified (Sequeira,Mendonca, Prabhu, and Narayan (2014). American CivilLiberties Union states that clothing is a form of self-expression. Inaddition, some other types of clothing support social themes, butunfortunately, uniform discourages it. For instance, during BreastCancer Awareness Month, uniform restrict students to wear a pinkribbon to show support.

However, students can still practice their right of expression evenwith uniform policies. Learners have the free will to wear whateveroutfits they wish after school hours and when they are on holidays.Furthermore, there are other ways of expression by wearing expressiveitems such as jewelry and buttons. According to US Constitution, allcitizens have the right to express themselves in any way (McDaniel,2013). However, wearing one’s choice of clothing doesnot necessary show one is practicing the right of expression.

The key findings used to show the benefits of school uniform arequestionable. They do not provide clear evidence that improvement ofstudent behavior and school safety is entirely due to theimplementation of uniform policy. Furthermore, other school securitymeasures are introduced at the same time.

School uniforms increase students’ safety and deter crime. Theyreduce sex offenses, possession of drugs and weapons, robbery,fighting incidences, and vandalism. Besides, other peer-reviewedstudy shows schools with uniform policies reported few cases ofinsecurities and violence (Sequeiraet. al., 2014). It is also easier to recognize anintruder since all students are dressed alike. Besides, uniformreduces incidences of bullying. Due to cultural indifferences,students may bully and tease each other based on their dress code.Therefore, uniforms help them to see themselves as mates hence,preventing culture-based bullying.

The push for school uniforms are not educational based but is drivenby commercial interest. Annually, American spends more thanone-million dollars to purchase school uniforms. Retailers see theuniform policy as a huge business for them. They make profitsaccumulating to millions of dollars just by selling uniforms.Moreover, people in such business advocated for this policy so thatthey could get an opportunity to expand their businesses (Dunlap,2012).

Nevertheless, school uniforms are cost-effective. They reduce thefinancial burden if students are limited to wear simple outfit daily.Research shows that parents spend fifty dollars less in purchasingschool uniform compared to regular apparel. Further, a student canhave only the two or three set of uniform, which he or she can wearthroughout the year. Without uniform policies, most parents who arenot financially stable may experience pressure as they try to competeto buy stylish outfits for their children.

Overall, school uniforms have positive outlooks, and they addsignificant value to the education world. They increase security anddeter crime, are cost-effective, and do not violate the right ofself-expression. Furthermore, educators and parents support mandatoryschool uniforms. They argue they have a positive impact ondiscipline, student safety, school’s reputation and pride, as wellas student achievement.

References

Dunlap, E. S.(Ed.). (2012).&nbspThecomprehensive handbook of school safety.CRC Press.

McDaniel, T.R. (2013). Making the School Uniform Decision: Is It Right for YourSchool?.&nbspKappaDelta Pi Record,&nbsp49(4),162-167.

Sequeira, A.H., Mendonca, C. P., Prabhu, K., &amp Narayan Tiwari, L. (2014). AStudy on Dress Code for College Students.&nbspMandeepand Prabhu K., Mahendra and Narayan Tiwari, Lakshmi, A Study on DressCode for College Students (September 29, 2014).