School Uniforms
More than half of elementary, middle, and high schools in America wear uniforms. Whether school uniforms should be worn by children is an undecided factor in society today. Carroll Jumana and Stephen Daniels have unique opinions expressed throughout, determining the positive and negative aspects of wearing school uniforms. Does a uniform make a different in children education? This essay will address social values, the legal principle of freedom of expression, and what becomes of wearing school uniforms. How do school uniforms compare to other uniforms in our society, such as sports team jerseys, doctors ' scrubs, or prison jumpsuits? Schools and school districts exercise the use of school uniforms due to the importance of having them, equality. Some believe uniforms can provide a certain level of security. Essentially one of the biggest arguments in why schools should have uniforms is the equality the kids would have. There is no division in what kids wear, and how nice and or expensive their clothes are. They would all be wearing the same thing if there were school uniforms enforced. Daniels communicates a specific detail of unity where she states, “Schools with uniforms say that their students have better self-esteem because without the name brand clothing on display, the students are placed on an equal level” (Daniels). Uniforms provide the simplicity of solving day to day problems, which may occur within the students, or in regards to their parents. The divisions amongst children due to their clothing no longer exist, due to the equal level the kids are placed on. When children use clothing to fit in or go by the social values of what is expected in society, it more often than not, will portray a negative image rather than a positive one. The beliefs of Jumana of how kids make their own friends, form their own opinions, and
Cited: Haynes, Charles. "School Dress Codes Limit Students ' Freedom of Expression." First Amendment Center (14 Mar. 2004). Web. 9 Jan. 2011. Jumana, Carroll. “School Uniforms Stifle Freedom of Expression.” Detroit. Greenhaven Press Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center Mon. 3 January 2011 Stainburn, Samantha. "Clothes-Minded." Teacher Magazine Vol. XVI, No. 6. May/June 2005: 14-15. SIRS Researcher. Web. 11 Jan 2011. Stephen, Daniels. “School Dress Codes are Necessary and Constitutional.” San Diego. Greenhaven Press 2005. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Mon. 3 January 2011 Viadero, Debra. "Uniform Effects?" Education Week Vol. 24, No. 18. Jan. 12 2005: 27-29. SIRS Researcher. Web. 03 Jan 2011.