In the most serious examples, street gangs and high school fraternities use colors and specific styles of clothing to proclaim allegiances. On occasion, individuals are even assaulted and violently attacked on or in the vicinity of school grounds merely for wearing the wrong colored clothes (Harvard Crimson, 2008). Mandatory school uniforms would solve all three problems. The principal objection to the idea arises in connection with First Amendment concerns and the constitutional right to free expression. However, as in the case with other aspects of constitutional arguments in the educational environment, privacy and free expression principles on the part of students are, to a large degree, suspended on school property (Friedman, 2005). Free expression issues in school necessarily take a backseat to educational concerns, particularly to the extent they relate to the security of the campus environment and the safety of students. Conclusion: Mandatory school uniforms serve three valuable...
The main objection is flawed in principle, because it relies on inaccurate understanding of constitutional rights as they pertain to school grounds. Ultimately, mandatory school uniforms offer tremendous benefits with virtually no drawbacks.
School Uniforms There are many reasons why school uniforms are common in countries outside of the United States, and are becoming more important in the United States. In other countries, it is believed that wearing a school uniform creates a "uniform" learning environment, meaning that the students are focused on the same things and there is order in the classroom. When the students do not think about what they look like
Additional arguments against school uniforms are the violation of free expression and students' rights and the stifling of student individuality (Schachter 48-49; Wilkins 22). These arguments for and against school uniforms do not have enough sway to decide the point alone. If research implied a link to academic or behavioral changes one way or the other, it is likely that such minor matters would fall in line or become only
Albeit there is not direct link between improvement in students' behavior and academic performance and the use of uniforms, there had been many anecdotes to support this claim. Having students wear uniforms conjures perceptions of order, safety and security as uniforms are viewed as "concrete and visible means of restoring order to the classroom" (Anderson 3). Uniforms may also lessen incidences of violence and crime against students, as many acts
Schools are legally allowed to mandate uniforms for sports as well as protective gear. The ACLU notes that school administrators can make students "wear special stuff like the gym uniforms or goggles if they are needed to protect" them. Although schools cannot restrict hairstyles, certain they can ban certain types of clothing ranging from low-rise jeans that show panties to trench coats that might conceal weapons. The courts can
School uniforms for students are becoming more and more popular across the country. Research suggest that schools with a mandatory school-wide uniform policy have better attendance, better behavior, fewer discipline referrals, and more school spirit. Children seem to become more focused on academics. They are also easily identified on campus, in the community, and on field trips, making general safety another benefit of wearing uniforms. It is hypothesized that behavior in
There are also voices who oppose the uniform policy. Their strongest argument is that standardized clothing leads to conformity which hinders individuality and creativity. They argue that by wearing uniforms, students would all be forced into one mold when in fact schools should support diversity, and encourage each child to express his/her creativity including through clothing. As far as the economic argument, reality tends to disagree with the supporters of uniforms
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