Uniforms in Public Schools

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Uniforms in Public Schools

• By Brian David

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Background

• The movement gained traction in the early 90s
  (Forster and Geier)
• A reaction to increased school violence,
  especially in the inner cities (Forster and
  Geier).
• 1996 President Clinton endorsed public schools
  using uniforms, in his State of the Union speech
  (Forster and Geier)
• The issue has supporters and detractors on both
  ends of the political spectrum (Forster and
  Geier).

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The Debate

• Those in favor of public schools using uniforms
  feel that they help decrease violence and
  bullying. These supporters say decreases in
  these areas will lead to increases in overall
  student achievements (Forster and Geier).
• Those against the use of uniforms in public
  school feel that they stifle creativity and are
  and unfair burden on families of lower
  socio-economic status. They also feel that this
  is a small band-aid on a much larger, more
  complex problem (Wilson and McMahon).

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Pro

• Reduces bullying students from poorer families
  do not have to worry about being in style
  (Forster and Geier )
• Reduces gang violence everyone is dressed
  similar, no gang colors (Chittom and Ginsburg)
• Puts the focus back on education students do
  not have to worry about having expensive,
  in-style clothes (Chittom and Ginsburg)

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Con

• Stifles creativity students will feel they have
  to fit a specific mold (Wilson and McMahon)
• Unfair to the economically disadvantaged
  uniforms will be more that they can afford
  (Forster and Geier)
• Only a small part of a larger problems school
  violence can be attributed to many other factors
  (decrepit building, socio-economic factors, inept
  teachers, trouble at home) (Wilson and McMahon)

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Requiring uniforms will help to improve public
schools.

• Reduces bullying and students being made to feel
  like outcasts (Chittom and Ginsburg)
• Gets rid of risqué and distracting clothing
  focus is on education (Chittom and Ginsburg)
• Prepares students for jobs outside of school
  (Chittom and Ginsburg)

• Unfair to poorer families (Forster and Geier)
  The generic uniform clothes are cheaper than
  designer clothing (Chittom and Ginsburg)
• A simple solution to a complex problem (Forster
  and Geier) Will not solve all problems, but
  studies show that it is effective and a good
  first step to help improve the climate of schools
  (Wilson and McMahon)

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Works Cited

• Chittom, Lynn-nore, and Jill Ginsburg. "School
  Uniforms An Overview." (2009) n. pag. Points of
  View Reference Center. Database. 10 Nov 2010.
• Forster, Matt, and Denise Geier. "Point The
  High Cost of School Uniforms." (2009) n. pag.
  Points of View Reference Center. Database. 10 Nov
  2010.
• Wilson , Brian, and Maureen McMahon.
  "Counterpoint School Dress Codes Improve the
  Learning Environment.." (2009) n. pag. Points of
  View Reference Center. Database. 10 Nov 2010.