Appearances Are Destructive
Appearances Are Destructive
Gilbert Keith Chesterton once said, “Education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another.” Certainly, Mr. Chesterton would not be so pleased if he could read a recent article by Mark Mathabane, entitled “Appearances Are Destructive,” in which the author claims that the interest of the present-day students in learning, “the soul,” has been replaced by the fiercest desire to have the best and most expensive outfits. By that reason, many parents and school personnel nowadays are more interested in children wearing uniform that they believe could lead studying process to more disciplined atmosphere. Nevertheless, trying to analyze advantages and disadvantages of both open and strict dress codes, three particular aspects should be considered: students’ progress in studies, their discipline and respect for the parents and other adults, and also their freedoms and rights.
One of the main problems caused by the open dress code is the students’ excessive attention paid to what they wear instead of what they learn, which of course negatively affects their studying progress. In comparison, uniform allow students’ to forget their social and outward differences, as everyone looks the same and there is no way to show off. Freedom of choice of own appearance is believed to develop student’s unique personality and taste but at the same time we can easily notice how many of the bad results it led educational system to. Certainly, these current day “school fashion shows” create a cruel competition among the students because every one wants to look the best. Mathabane notices that American students seem to pay more attention to the labels of their clothes rather than their academic achievements. Children even allow themselves to taunt at those who have an ordinary or inexpensive look and seem to be more interested in studying. When I was studying in school, we had the same kind of competition. Most children came to
Gilbert Keith Chesterton once said, “Education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another.” Certainly, Mr. Chesterton would not be so pleased if he could read a recent article by Mark Mathabane, entitled “Appearances Are Destructive,” in which the author claims that the interest of the present-day students in learning, “the soul,” has been replaced by the fiercest desire to have the best and most expensive outfits. By that reason, many parents and school personnel nowadays are more interested in children wearing uniform that they believe could lead studying process to more disciplined atmosphere. Nevertheless, trying to analyze advantages and disadvantages of both open and strict dress codes, three particular aspects should be considered: students’ progress in studies, their discipline and respect for the parents and other adults, and also their freedoms and rights.
One of the main problems caused by the open dress code is the students’ excessive attention paid to what they wear instead of what they learn, which of course negatively affects their studying progress. In comparison, uniform allow students’ to forget their social and outward differences, as everyone looks the same and there is no way to show off. Freedom of choice of own appearance is believed to develop student’s unique personality and taste but at the same time we can easily notice how many of the bad results it led educational system to. Certainly, these current day “school fashion shows” create a cruel competition among the students because every one wants to look the best. Mathabane notices that American students seem to pay more attention to the labels of their clothes rather than their academic achievements. Children even allow themselves to taunt at those who have an ordinary or inexpensive look and seem to be more interested in studying. When I was studying in school, we had the same kind of competition. Most children came to