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Add to FavoritesI think parents should read this article before condemning the idea of uniforms in the schools. In the first place, uniforms are not new to education, just public schools. Catholic schools and military schools use them and for many good reasons, some of which public schools should address. Uniforms create unity and pride. Ask any Marine. Uniforms aid in discipline and respect, two key issues in our schools today. I taught in public schools for over 38 years, and I can vouch for the need for uniforms. My students did not wear them, but I am an advocate for them. Parents may think they have a hold over what their children wear, but they do not. They may send them off looking nice, but they change their clothes on the way. Here are some of the issues with the clothes that our school-aged children wear to school; it would behoove us to look at these negatives of street clothes:
The Prostitute Look
Many young ladies are going to school dressed like prostitutes or "ho's" as they call them. I was always sending someone to the office because the dress code was being abused with halter tops, short skirts, tight short shorts, and see through garments. If the school systems initiated uniforms, these sexual distractions would disappear, and we could get on with the business of teaching and learning. A simple uniform of white blouses/shirts and dark skirts/pants would be appropriate. No one should have to pay anymore for the "uniform" look than what is already paid for school clothes. Uniforms would create respect for sexual differences instead of lust.
Bullying
Uniforms are helpful in eliminating bullying and taunting of students who are less fortunate. Young people are so sensitive to fashion that they show off and tease kids who do not have name-brand, top of the line clothes and shoes. I've seen the looks that the rich kids give those who aren't fashion bugs. We don't need more competition in the schools. We have enough in the academic world to choke a few hundred horses! The uniform would actually bring schools together with pride and unity; the school colors could be the colors allowed for the uniform.
Drug Messages
I have seen students come to school dressed in sensible, comfortable clothing, and by second period, they have changed their clothes or hiked them up to make them noticeable. Another clothing issue that would become extinct is the practice of head gear and other paraphernalia that signal drug use, holding, or selling. Uniforms would make this practice unavailable. Students would learn to respect each other for reasons other than cultural factors.
Cut the competition
Besides helping the drug issues and fashion competition to go by the wayside, uniforms would put all our teens on an even keel. They would show their individuality by their hairstyles and accessories. They have enough to handle in today's world. Why make clothing another issue for them to agonize over? No one is trying to usurp our students' individuality. Their personalities determine that. Putting on a "uniform" would be putting on respect, dignity, unity, pride, and discipline.
In my opinion, uniforms would satisfy most teachers and parents if not the students. We are their leaders, so we should protect them and make rules toward that goal. Students need to be aware of their academics, not each other's fashion sense and sexy bodies. I think it would increase student grades, attitudes, and sense of comfort. No more bullying might just cut down on school violence, too. We could give it a try. We wouldn't have much to lose if we make the uniform a simple one, and not a "name brand" one, for some company to hike up the prices.
Learn more about this author, Ann Palmieri.
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No
Weaving identical polyester strands of material around our pubescent youngsters may have been all the rave decades ago. The Germans made good use of it as their children learned how quickly a book will burn as they kept perfect time marching in Berlin. School uniforms are best left to crazy idealistic despots hell bent on world domination, desperate couples in search of that "zing" needed in their sex life, or Catholic schools.
School uniforms are seen as a savior to school troubles and problems. Make them look alike and the issues should disappear faster than their spirit and drive as they get ready for school every morning. School uniforms are merely a plaid band-aid laying limply over problems crisply creased Grey pants nor knee high socks can truly help defeat.
Let me give you some examples.
1. Teen pregnancy. Kids will be kids and a uniform won't stop two kids from conceiving a kid. Overlooking the time it takes to get that sweater vest over your girlfriends hairspray cemented coif, clothing is flying off our children whether it is a part of a set or a signed Randy Moss jersey.
2. We can not possibly blind ourselves thinking mockery and bullying would be non-existent in a uniformed world can we? In personal experiences, it takes one hair to be out of place, one crater zit to form on your nose, or one unfortunately mistimed expulsion of flagellance in the middle of English class for our classmates and friends to pounce upon you with the ferocity a big game cat saves for a wounded Gazelle. Let us all open our eyes and realize the necktie and Buster Brown shoes won't save an awkward acne filled teenager the embarrassment of being humiliated at least one time in their lives.
3. The last time I had checked, drug addiction is not miraculously cured at the sight of breathable cotton. In fact, having to look at the same clothing all week long might have some of our students pining for some good hallucinogens, just so they can stop seeing Burgundy and Grey down every hallway at the school. Drugs ooze their way into our children's lives if they are wearing blue jeans or pleats.
4. Since when are there no fights in schools with uniforms? If bullying continues and drug use burns on, what makes us think violence will not follow along? After being pelted by instant mashed potatoes at lunch time, you and your ninth grade girlfriend's honor must be upheld, someone is getting a can of opened whip ass. Surely school uniforms do nothing to quell the raging rapids of rumors flowing through schools and when one of those rumors gets to the wrong person? Well get ready for some haymakers to be thrown.
Schools do enough to break the will and desire of kids on a daily basis, we should not have to include making them all dress alike as well. This idea of conformity is wrong. Make everyone the same and problems will go away. No one is better than the rest. It borders on Communism. While the zest for life is still bright within their bodies, let our kids express themselves. Even if it is with striped spandex pants and a hot pink tank top. This opens the doors to freedom and being "one's self". It also helps our poorly dressed and fashion handicapped kids gravitate towards the other 'Project Runway' rejects. How in the world will we know the grunge kids from the goth kids without being able to read the Nirvana t-shirts or looking for the black trench coats?
We live in a society that says it embraces diversity? Welcomes the different? Why then are the governmental agencies that teach our children so adamantly against this diversity? I do not think some things are appropriate for walking out of the house let alone sitting in Conversational German in. Understand, I do believe in tactful censorship for public places and for minors living under my roof but I also believe in letting our children be able to have some freedom of expression before corporate America grabs a hold and chokes the Birkenstock's right off of them.
Let's begin to educate our kids in a way that does not condescend. Let's open our ears and shut our mouths for a moment and listen to our children. Let's not kid ourselves about the sway of a school uniform. Let us not pretend a school uniform in public schools will prevent a kid who has been pushed over the edge not to load his Glock 9mm and bring it to school.
Kids can be horny, viscous, addicted, and violent. We think slathering a mixture of droll uniforms, a faux understanding of what kids are going through, and lame out dated instructional video's and lesson plans will be the magic wand to take away the ills of our schools? We forget that kids can also be thoughtful, creative, intelligent, and articulate, even while they cover up in vintage tee's from Target and American Eagle jeans. Adulthood is smirking at the crops of children finishing their schooling and heading into the "real world". The next 20-30 years of their lives to be spent conforming to the will of empty suits and guys who play golf at country clubs more than they spend time at work. For now, leave the uniforms to totalitarianism, dull marriages, and God.
Learn more about this author, Jimmy Ettele.
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