school uniforms
Introduction and Resolution Resolution Summary: Students should wear school uniforms when attending compulsory educational courses because (1) school uniforms reduce peer pressure and (2) consequently improve the educational environment. Greetings, Debate. org. As the Pro side of this debate, it is left to
me to propound a resolution in response to my opponent's claims that students should
not wear school uniforms. My opponent has suggested that school uniforms should not be adopted because (1) students don't like them and (2) school uniforms
suppress expressions of individuality. I will not debate that students do not like
school uniforms - I certainly was never fond of them, and I am sure many of you, who
are students, are or were not fond of them as well. I will, however, argue that on
balance, the benefits of school uniforms outweigh the perceived negatives of having
them. Specifically, it is my contention that, where students are compelled to attend
educational courses in an institution of learning, such as those schools supported
by the public education systems found throughout the United States, uniforms serve the important purpose of reducing peer pressure and social stigmas, which in
turn enhances the learning environment for all students. Argument Argument Summary:
Studies have shown that students feel less peer pressure when attending schools that
enforce a dress code. Consequently, students attend classes more often and focus more
on learning than on social prestige. Inducing learning is the primary function of
a school. Ergo, dress codes enable schools to better perform their primary function. A school is "an institution for the teaching of children" for the purposes of this debate,
as we will be discussing compulsory education (i.e. education of individuals below
the age of majority). http://bit.ly...;. The purpose of the educational programs being
utilized within such schools (at least within the United States) is, apparently, "to
provide every child with a complete and competitive education that will enable them
to succeed in a global economy based on knowledge and innovation." http://1.usa.gov...,
emphasis added. Therefore, we can conclude that the primary purpose of a school is to teach children so that they have the knowledge and innovation necessary to
succeed in a global economy. A school that fails to teach children for these purposes could be considered, under the relevant
criteria, a failure. As no school should want to fail, schools must implement such techniques as are necessary to succeed
at the stated goal of teaching children. Studies have shown that the use of school uniforms increases attendance and improves performance amongst the members of the adopting
school's student body. http://bit.ly...;. Generally, every study performed seems to suggest
some correlation between the adoption of school uniforms and reduced concern for social standing vis a vis attire. http://bit.ly...;. The
reason for such correlation is probably best expressed in this study by Professor
Richard Elliot - http://bit.ly...;. Elliot's study found that students perceived clothing
as an indicator of social status, and that in some cases violence could actually occur
to students perceived as not displaying the proper knowledge of social attire. As
the factors implicated in Elliot's study are as much a matter of the American educational
system as the British educational system (and as both are examples of compulsory educational
programs), it is easy to understand how uniforms can provide the positive benefits they have been shown to produce. In an environment
where impoverished students may face peer pressure based upon their limited attire
selection, which peer pressure would in turn serve to disrupt their educational experience,
it is not surprising that the elimination of attire selection would result in such
students more readily attending school. After all, if there is no clear indicator of social status to mark them as outcasts
(or to make them feel like outcasts in response to the greater wardrobe of other students),
such students would have no reason to fear confrontations beyond those academic and
ethical conflicts that arise even amongst a gathering of equals. This is not to say
that reduced self-expression is good. It isn't. It is, however, a small price to pay
for the safety, security, and comfort of the student body. In fact, regarding the
safety of the student body, uniforms have been shown to help reduce educational difficulties related to students displaying
gang-related attire. http://bit.ly...; Conclusion In conclusion, students experience
a better educational environment in schools that utilize school uniforms. While uniforms may not be appropriate for all educational institutions, to the extent that students
are compelled to attend a school environment where negative social interaction based on displays of prestige can be
expected to interfere with the students' education, school uniforms should be encouraged.
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