Point: The High Cost of School Uniforms.
Authors:
Forster, Matt
Geier, Denise B.
[K1]
Source:
Points of View: School Uniforms. 2013, p2-2. 1p.
Document Type:
Article
Subjects:
SCHOOL uniforms
SCHOOL discipline -- United States
DRESS codes
FREEDOM of expression
CLOTHING & dress -- United States
EDUCATION -- United States
Geographic Terms:
UNITED States Report Available
Abstract:[K2]
The article presents an argument against the proposal to require students in public schools in the U.S. to wear school uniforms. Enforcing school uniforms at public school is said to be an inefficient way to address school-related problems. Since clothing is considered an expression of identity or religious belief, mandating school uniforms is considered a violation of students' right to free expression. The article further argues that schools should focus on teaching students what is and is not appropriate.
Lexile:
980
Full Text Word Count:
1865
ISBN:
9781429815956
Accession Number:
12462117
Point: The High Cost ofSchoolUniforms
Thesis[K3]:Students in public schools should not be required to wearschooluniforms.
Summary:At best,schooluniformsare an ineffective solution to a complex set of problems. At worst, they are a violation of students' right to free expression. As an extension of government, public schools are mandated to educate. In this role, they have been given authority to regulate student behavior and to discipline when necessary. This mandate, however, does not trump basic civil rights. What people wear is not simply an expression of their fashion sense, and it is not just a statement of individuality. In many cases, clothing is an expression of ethnic identity or religious belief. In other instances, clothing can be used to comment on society or express political dissent. There is no conclusive data to show thatschooluniformssolve any of the problems they were created to solve.
The Challenge of Education[K4]
Administrators and educators in public schools are charged with the responsibility of educating America's youth. Some of the biggest obstacles to education exist outside of the classroom. The way students relate to each other in between classes greatly affects the learning environment. Schools, like other settings, are full of people trying to climb to the top of their social mountain. At some schools, this means wearing the coolest clothes; at others, it may mean flashing gang colors. At best, these peer relations can distract students from learning. At worst, they can result in gang violence and weapons inschool. In addition, students who are more affluent are able to dress in the latest trends and wear clothes with name brands. Having a shirt or shoes with the right name can be very important.
Many schools have adoptedschooluniform policies as a solution to these problems. At first glance,uniformsseem like the perfect solution. By definition, they provide uniformity. Poorer kids can relax and focus on learning, because they do not have to worry about what their peers think of their clothing. Gang members can no longer display their colors.[K5]
Despite these apparent advantages,schooluniformsare not the answer. In fact, they are counterproductive. First, they are a violation of students' right to free expression. Second, schools do not have the authority to tell students what they can and cannot wear. Requiringuniformsis an ineffective, superficial solution to complex problems. Finally,uniformsare an expensive addition to parents' budgets.[K6]
Violating Students' Rights[K7]
What people wear is not simply an expression of their fashion sense, and it is not just a statement of individuality. In many cases, clothing is an expression of ethnic identity or religious belief. In other instances, clothing can be used to comment on society or express political dissent. For example, many students use t-shirts to voice their opinions. Requiringschooluniformseffectively limits all such expression.
The First Amendment to the Constitution is clear:
"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."
[K8]Requiring students to wearuniformsis essentially a restriction of a student's right to free expression.
In many instances, students and parents have taken schools to court overschooluniforms. While courts almost always side with schools in these cases, the legal costs are very taxing on theschoolsystem.
Schools go to great lengths to train students about civic responsibility. Student government is a perfect example: students vote for their peers to represent them in the government. However, representative government is only one aspect of American democracy. To teach democracy on one hand and limit fundamental, constitutionally guaranteed rights on the other is counterproductive.
The Limits of Schools' Authority[K9]
As stated earlier, schools have the job of educating students, and they do not have the authority to govern outside factors that contribute to education. Just as much of what goes on outside the classroom affects learning, much of what happens at home affects the classroom as well. Where does one draw the line? No one would suggest that schools tell students what they can eat or how much sleep they must get, but both of these factors have been proven to greatly affect student performance. Schools simply have no authority in this matter. In the end, parents are responsible for what students wear, what they eat, and how much they sleep. As students grow older, parents try and teach theirchildrento make wise choices.
Requiring studentuniformsundermines parental attempts to trainchildren, and limits the number of learning opportunities for students. In addition,schooluniform requirements add another burden to educators: that of enforcing theschooluniform policy. With so many responsibilities, these policies only distract educators from the task of educating. In many districts teachers are required to carry out ridiculous tasks, such as measuring skirt lengths.
An example of how ridiculous the situation can become occurred in 2001. A Louisiana highschoolstudent was found to be without a belt during a routine "belt inspection." Her father worked too far away to bring her a belt, so she was barred from class. In response, the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana created belts displaying the ACLU logo and presented them to officials at theschool.
Teachers have complained that schools' uniform policies are distractions from teaching and learning, and parents' rights groups object strenuously to being told how to dress theirchildren.
School Uniforms Are Ineffective[K10]
There is no conclusive data to show thatschooluniformssolve any of the problems they were created to solve. In every case where grades have increased and discipline problems have decreased, other policies may be responsible for the change.
Consider for a moment the problem of gangs. The wearing of gang colors is only a symptom of much deeper social problems, and in most of the schools where gangs are prevalent, the wearing of gang colors has already been banned.Uniformsdo not address the complex social realities that lead to gang culture.
Additionally,uniformsdo not promote social or economic equality. In fact, by hiding economic differences, students are less prepared to deal with reality when they leaveschool. Finally,schooluniformsmay well be a financial burden to poorer families, who will be forced to buyuniformsin addition to regular clothing or are forced to buy second-handuniformsfor theirchildren, thus creating a similar situation between the affluent and poorer students.
Conclusion[K11]
Around the country, many schools that once led the fight forschooluniformsare changing their policies and abandoning the cause.Schooluniformsare a severe violation of students' rights to free expression. [K12]Not only are schools overstepping their authority in this matter, the policies are not a cure-all for obstacles to education. Instead ofuniforms, more attention should be given to teaching students about what is and is not appropriate, and why. More resources should be directed toward after-schoolprograms and mentoring programs -- strategies that get to the root of students' problems. No more time should be wasted onschooluniforms. The cost is too high.
[K1]Authors
[K2]Abstracts are fantastic for giving you a run-down of the article you’re looking at. Think of it as a professional summary.
[K3]Thesis statement will tell you right away what the article is about.
[K4]Introduction
[K5]Here is the counterargument.
[K6]And here is the immediate rebuttal
[K7]Main Point 1
[K8]Here is a handy quote, and an example of an in-text citation.
[K9]Main Point 2
[K10]Main Point 3
[K11]Here is the conclusion
[K12]Restatement of the thesis