Call To Action Final Speech
Call to Action: School uniforms should not be used in schools (public or private)
Imagine getting up and walking to your closet. You push all your other clothes to the side, and pull out your official school uniform. How would you feel if you had to wear the same clothes every day? Enthusiastic, because you don’t have to waste time picking out clothes, or apathetic because you have to wear the same boring outfit every single day? I speak today as to why all students should have more freedom. I speak today as to why we should not have school uniforms in any school (public OR private).
The debate over whether all schools should have school uniforms or not is raging across the country. Many argue that uniforms help students focus on their academics, rather than fashion. On the other hand, others claim that it takes away a student’s right to dress freely.
The issue of mandatory uniforms even made an appearance in Bill Clinton’s State of the Union address in 1996. During this speech, the President stated, “If it means that teenagers will stop killing each other over designer jackets, then our public schools should be able to require their students to wear uniforms". Many state that it saves money, and that most uniforms do not cost too much, but students are most likely not going to wear that uniform outside of school! Students will STILL ask their parents for new and branded clothing.
As said before, even with uniforms, parents still need to purchase regular clothes for their children. This frustrates them very much, because uniforms would simply be an additional cost. A 2012 report from New Jersey stated that on average, families need to pay $300 per student per year for school uniforms They also diminish the right of self-expression. In other words, it takes away their individuality. Dr. Alan Hilfer, senior psychologist in Brooklyn’s Children’s and Adolescent Unit at Maimonides Medical Center states:
"Clothes are a source of expression for children, and
Imagine getting up and walking to your closet. You push all your other clothes to the side, and pull out your official school uniform. How would you feel if you had to wear the same clothes every day? Enthusiastic, because you don’t have to waste time picking out clothes, or apathetic because you have to wear the same boring outfit every single day? I speak today as to why all students should have more freedom. I speak today as to why we should not have school uniforms in any school (public OR private).
The debate over whether all schools should have school uniforms or not is raging across the country. Many argue that uniforms help students focus on their academics, rather than fashion. On the other hand, others claim that it takes away a student’s right to dress freely.
The issue of mandatory uniforms even made an appearance in Bill Clinton’s State of the Union address in 1996. During this speech, the President stated, “If it means that teenagers will stop killing each other over designer jackets, then our public schools should be able to require their students to wear uniforms". Many state that it saves money, and that most uniforms do not cost too much, but students are most likely not going to wear that uniform outside of school! Students will STILL ask their parents for new and branded clothing.
As said before, even with uniforms, parents still need to purchase regular clothes for their children. This frustrates them very much, because uniforms would simply be an additional cost. A 2012 report from New Jersey stated that on average, families need to pay $300 per student per year for school uniforms They also diminish the right of self-expression. In other words, it takes away their individuality. Dr. Alan Hilfer, senior psychologist in Brooklyn’s Children’s and Adolescent Unit at Maimonides Medical Center states:
"Clothes are a source of expression for children, and