Should students have to wear school uniforms?
A child just got the memo that there is a debate about whether school uniforms
will now be the clothing that students will wear every day or not. The child is
anxious. The child is enraged. The child does not want to wear a uniform to school. The
child discusses with friends and they, too, are against school uniforms. Kids inform
parents, parents exchange information with one another, and the parents eventually
complain when they hear about the price. Students should not have to wear school
uniforms because students can not express themselves, school uniforms violate student
rights, and uniforms are expensive.
First, students should not have to wear school uniforms because students cannot
express themselves. They are limited to personality and personality does not always
shine through to be seen. Personality is often seen through clothing. Many schools say
that school uniforms help improve academic performance. However, school uniforms
will not help. According to Uniform look: Parents not on the same page about school
clothes, if students don’t feel good about what they wear (uniforms), they won’t feel as
good about themselves, which will affect academic performance negatively. The ability
to express themselves is important to students. If they can not do that, chances are they
won’t feel good about themselves, almost as if their fashion choices and personality are
being ignored. Also, creativity is one of a child’s most precious abilities. Creativity is
often expressed in clothing. School uniforms will get rid of that special skill. Uniform
look: Parents not on the same page about school clothes confirms that school uniforms
limit creativity and individuality. Students can not express that unique skill through the
most common ways, clothing and fashion, all because of school uniforms. Students
creativity will be put in great danger if school uniforms are put in play. In summary,
school uniforms limit the creativity, individuality, and self esteem a student has, because
they can not express themselves, so school uniforms should not be adopted.
Not only do school uniforms limit creativity and individuality, but school
uniforms violate student rights by not allowing students to express ethnicity and
religion. A student could be wearing the clothes they wear based on religion and
ethnicity. This violates student rights. The High Cost of School Uniforms supports this
information. School uniforms takes away student’s right to freely express their religion
and ethnicity. This is a problem because school uniforms go against the
Constitution. The First Amendment to the Constitution states, “Congress shall make no
law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or
abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” If schools take up
school uniforms, the school is essentially taking away a student’s right to freely express
and practice religion and ethnicity. The Constitution is against school uniforms so
schools should not adopt uniforms, or else the school rules will go against the
Constitution. In short, school uniforms go against the Constitution and don’t allow
students to express themselves, in matters of religion and ethnicity.
In addition to school uniforms ruling against the Constitution, school uniforms
also are expensive. Many schools’ budgets are already very tight and this will add yet
another item to the list. Do these schools really want to spend their last bit of precious
money on something that isn’t necessary? Some schools have made this decision and as
School Uniforms:An Overview states, “Many families have complained over the expense
of school uniforms.” This goes to show that not only students complain about school
uniforms. Also, most of the money the school gets comes from taxes. If they had
another item to pay for, people will have to pay even more taxes. Some families have
claimed that school uniforms cost less than regular clothing. In reality, they cost about
the same, and clothes can get pretty expensive, so uniforms can get pretty
expensive. According to Uniforms look: Parents not on the same page about school
clothes, “The Times and Democrat checked out the prices and it cost $8-$32 for shorts,
slacks, or skirts, and from $6-$20 for shirts.” Regular clothes are normally the same
price and besides, regular clothes are usually prefered. Eight and six dollars are not
expensive at all, but on a good sale, you could probably manage to get regular clothes
around the same price. To summarize, school uniforms are taxing on the school and
parents, and are about the same price as regular clothes, which can be expensive.
As can be seen, school uniforms should not be worn because they limit the
freedom to express unique traits, violate student rights and the Constitution, and are
taxing on schools and families. Students cannot let the valuable skill of creativity and
individuality shine through if they wear school uniforms. School uniforms do not follow
the Constitution or do not let students express religion or ethnicity. Since they are very
taxing for families and for school, and cost about the same price as regular clothes,
school uniforms are not necessary. The child has heard that the student body put up a
good fight against school uniforms and managed to persuade the school to not adopt
school uniforms. The child gets together with friends and they celebrate. You can be
like this student body. You can put up a good fight against school uniforms. You can
prove that school uniforms are 100% unnecessary. So don’t be afraid to stand up against
school uniforms, because you know that they aren’t the answer to a school’s problems.
Works Cited
Chittom, Lynn-nore, and Jill Ginsburg. "School Uniforms: An Overview." Points Of
View:
School Uniforms (2014): 1. Points of View Reference Center. Web. 4 Feb. 2015.
Forster, Matt, and Denise B. Geier. "Point: The High Cost Of School Uniforms." Points
Of
View: School Uniforms (2014): 2. Points of View Reference Center. Web. 4 Feb.
2015.
Linder-Altman, Dale. "Uniform look: Parents not on same page about school clothes."
Times
and Democrat, The (Orangeburg, SC) 01 Aug. 2014: Points of View Reference
Center. Web. 4 Feb. 2015.