Pro vs. con view
Topic space viewSchool uniforms
I am challenging con to this debate after seeing her debate of hate. She told me to challenge her, and I believe that this is a decent topic to discuss. I will be in favour of school uniforms, and she will be against such.
school uniforms
Schools should have uniforms because it easier for the student in the morning. It takes less time to get ready because the student doesn't have to figure out what to wear. Also, parents save money on back to school clothes.
School Uniforms are a good idea
I would first like to thank Con for accepting and would like to say I look forward to this debate. Rebuttals: 1.In your argument you say "When buying uniforms for the school, you cannot assume that one size fits all." I understand that students come in all shapes and sizes and I don't think schools purchase one size of a uniform and expect everyone to fit in them. Most schools may go with sizing each individual student and buying a specific uniform for each child but in some schools they just have the children wear khaki pants and a specific color polo or cardigan. If schools enforced uniforms and had kids wear khaki pants and a specific color polo it shouldn't be too hard to find their size. Students wear clothes like t-shirts and jeans outside of school and can find sizes, so sizes for such uniforms would be similar. It would actually be better if schools required students to wear a specific uniform of their choosing and have the students measured and given uniforms because the clothes would fit properly. In most schools there are the students with too short of skirts or too tight of shirts, pants etc.. if they were measured at school, they would be given clothing that would fit them properly. Schools also don't necessarily pay for uniforms, in most cases parents buy the uniform for their child and this is no more of a cost than it would be if the parent was buying clothes for their student in a department store, i would probably even be cheaper because they could buy less uniforms than they would buy outfits and just wash them more frequently and a uniform is probably less expensive than brand name clothing that children think they "have to have" 2. Students can still be unique, they can express themselves through the activities they do like sports, music, art, other hobbies or they can accessorize with jewelry in some cases. Just because a student wears a uniform doesn't make them the same as everyone else. Hair styles can be different and personality of every student is different, so by wearing the same shirt it isn't going to stifle a child's opinion or personality. Also students can wear what they choose on the weekends it isn't like they are never able to wear an outfit of their choosing. 3. "Having these uniforms is pretty much censoring the real world from them" What is it censoring the children from? Uniforms would decrease the amount of bullying cases. Yes, bullying is a part of the real world but it is something that doesn't need to be. With uniforms students will learn to not judge others on appearance and to make friends based on personality and character instead. The uniforms aren't censoring the students from the news or real world issues. Arguments: Uniforms will put more focus on school and less focus on the what other students have and what they don't Uniforms will diminish peer pressure in regards to having certain brands Uniforms will allow students to get ready for school faster
School Uniforms are a good idea
This debate is going to be about School Uniforms. I will take the Pro side and argue that Uniforms are a good idea. This is a 5 round debate with max amount of characters. This first round is NOT for acceptance, lets just jump into the argument. My arguments: 1.School Uniforms give children a sense of unity with other students because they all are wearing the same clothes and representing the same school. 2.School uniforms may lower the cases of bullying within schools. In many cases kids are picked on because of the clothes they wear, how they look, or in some cases the materialistic belongings they may or may not have. If all students wear the same thing it would be very hard almost impossible to make fun of someone who is wearing the same thing as you. 3.In lower income communities uniforms could be a good idea because parents wouldn't have to worry about buying brand name clothing for their children and children wouldn't feel pressured to have brand name items to fit in because everyone would have the same clothing as they did. 4. It would diminish peer pressure in regards to having certain brands and would encourage unity. 5. It would allow students to get ready for school faster in the morning because they don't have to worry about what they have to wear. 6. Puts more focus on school work, kids don't have to worry about being trendy, or fashionable or envy the child next to them that has the new popular sneaker they can focus in class on school work and not other distractions such as peers clothing or belongings. Sources:PBS http://www.pbs.org... In advance I'd like to thank whomever my opponent may be for accepting my debate:)
School Uniforms are unnecessary
School uniforms are unnecessary because: 1) How does school uniform help school officials to recognize students faster? In any ways, it would make it harder because school uniforms look the same and it would be harder to differentiate one student from another. 2) Schools these days are encouraging an appreciation of diversity. Teachers decide to teach us about people like Rosa Parks, Susan B. Anthony, Booker T. Washington etc... We learn about people who expressed themselves and we can't even express ourselves in the hallways. Don't schools do enough damage, making all us students think alike? Now they're trying to get us to look alike, too 3) There is evidence that school uniforms increase violent attacks and lower academic achievement, however there is none that suggests school uniform benefits the students at all. 4) Also. if there was a stalker/paedophile and he /she saw pictures of a student in their school uniform, they would know where the person went to school, thus leading to other circumstances.
School Uniforms are a good idea
Supporting my arguments: 1.I don't think there are too many cases where kids are coming in with clothes as dirty as your first example. I do not doubt that students have dirty clothes like the example you give but I know that if a student were to come into school everyday in pants that looked like those that their home life would be investigated because allowing your child to live like that is a form of neglect, and if that was the case than that child would be helped out. Your argument does not view school uniforms as a whole, you are focusing only on a specific economical group of people. 2. A lot of students don't like school, just like some adults don't like their job, but the uniform encourages discipline and responsibility. The uniform may not make the child enjoy school but it will teach them to take school seriously and focus on their education while they are there, to make them feel like school is their job. 3. The California school mentioned in the article I presented was not a private school, though you have a point with the private schools the article I presented and the information I gave was based on a public school in California. That school was one of the first to enforce uniforms in a public school and they tie good attendance and good grades to some extent due to the uniforms. Also that school adopted that policy in 1994 but the article and the mother voicing her opinion in the article is from 2006 which is a little bit more current. Rebuttal: The article you provide about uniform rebellion does not seem like a very large rebellion, I the article it says "If administration would be more lenient with the uniform, students would not rebel. Junior, Stephanie Pi�a said, "If they let us wear t-shirts, or any type of pants that we want as long as it is out uniform color, it'll be so much better." Since that is not the case, it is easier to follow the rules than to deal with the consequences." It says that it is easier to follow the rules than deal with the consequences which means the girls mentioned in the article that were rebelling eventually succumbed to the uniform rules. Also in the article it seems like the Assistant principal had the rebellion under control by giving detentions to those that did violate and those that didn't go to detention had to pay for that the next year. This rebellion did not get out of control and according to the article it seems like most students learned to follow the uniform policy in the end. Every school whether they have uniforms or not has a dress code and in schools with NO uniforms I am sure there are more violations than in schools with uniforms. Kids wear baggy pants everyday and I know especially in the summer skinny strapped shirts, too short of shorts, and flip flops are worn which violate many schools dress codes. With uniforms a large amount of dress code violations are eliminated. My conclusions: School Uniforms are a good idea for both private and public schools. 1.They diminish distinctions of economic status of students families which would encourage unity in schools and would encourage students to make friends based on personality and character rather than appearance or material belongings. 2.they spare kids and their parents the ordeal of picking out clothes each morning and washing them 3. they prevent students from getting picked on based on the clothes they wear 4.Save money because they are not as highly priced as certain brand name clothes, children's regular clothes don't get as worn so they don't have to keep buying them clothes, You don't necessarily have to buy 5 uniforms you could buy less and just wash them 5.Uniforms prepare children for working life, they make them focus more on learning and the real reason they attend school. They encourage discipline and responsibility and teach kids to follow certain guidelines. 6. Administrators don't need to worry as heavily about students following dress code. Uniforms eliminate the issue of some students who often violate the dress code. Most students will wear the uniform appropriately diminishing the massive amounts of ties teachers and administrators have to address students about taking off a hat or pulling up their pants or sending them to the office because of their outfit. I have supported my arguments in each round and I believe I have produced a very convincing argument against Con. I would like to thank Con for a great argument and I can't wait to read his conclusions.
School Uniforms are a Good Idea.
Major oops! I did the wrong side! So let me restart. Uniforms show school spirit, and if you don't like your Uniforms show school spirit, and if you don't like your school because it has uniforms, than go to a different one! Also, YOU will not be the one taking care of the payment. The school covers that, and the kids can express their individuality by doing stuff with their hair. So, good luck! =)
School Uniforms Shouldn't Be Required
Sigh...I've already won this six times. Nevertheless, everyone forfeited at least one round of my 5 serious debates, and Ajab seems to have never forfeited, so I trust that he'll become the first debater to not forfeit one of my serious School Uniform Debates. I define "required" as "forced, mandatory". You may start on round one. MY OPENING STATEMENTS/ARGUMENTS In the adult world students have to make their own choices and school uniforms exclude that "training excercise" of having to choose what clothes to wear. [1] School uniforms send out a sense of anti-individuality that goes against our personal liberty and freedom of expression. A nation should not go against its beliefs. It would not really matter if this was not in the constitution in the first place, but seriously--the constitution is the basic belief of America, and breaking it is a big blunder! [2] Although school uniforms can bring a sense of unity among students, the unity is too robot-like! As shown in source [3], a parent openly states "I believe we should...advance independent, creative thinkers -- not standardized, uniformed thinkers." Frudden said. "To do anything less is to do our children and our society a disservice." In addition, school uniforms are simply a band-aid on school violence. In fact, in a study published in The Journal of Educational Research, the authors concluded that requiring students to wear uniforms has no direct effect on substance abuse, behavioral problems, or school attendance. Further tests proved the students they studied who were required to wear uniforms actually scored lower on standardized achievement tests than did a comparable group not required to wear them(Brunsma, Rockquemore). [4] This only supports the fact that because uniforms do not allow creativity through expression of clothes, and Albert Einstein once said "Creativity is intelligence having fun", this study highlights Einstein's fact and proves both of my argumemts to be correct. In other words, not only do school uniforms have negative impacts as demonstrated, this study also strengthens my argument about the uniform restricting students' creativity. (Einstein's quote is in source [5]) As shown from source [1], parents are unsatisfied with the school uniform prices, indicating that school uniforms don't exactly save parents money. They would not complain if the school uniforms actually saved money! This shows school unforms are a financial burden for poor families, and morever, are an unfair additional expense for parents who pay taxes for a free public education. To demonstrate this, on average clothing costs $72.00 per month. [6] In contrast, school uniforms can go all the way up to $156 for boys, $140 for girls, approximately twice as much as money spent in a month. [7] And if the school uniform gets too small or ripped...well, the cost is doubled! This just shows how unfair the cost of school uniforms is. People usually judge other people based on the clothes they wear, I agree, but a person's clothes really have nothing to do what goes on. If someone isn't very smart or physically capable they will still get bullied regardless of the fact that they look the same as everyone else. In other words, bullies can still persist, teasing other students concerning their mental ability instead of physical. Kids might be more likely to be made fun of if they are overachievers. Likewise, kids who struggle academically, or kids with mental disorders, might become easier targets for bullies. [8] Furthermore, not everyone bases people on their clothing. Sure, nobody's like the Beauty from "Beauty and the Beast", but everyone can see some desirable traits underneath the ugly face! (No offense, Mr. Beast) There are even more ways for bullies to get to other students if they wear uniform. One example is if a child doesn't feel comfortable in his uniform, his silent cues makes him more likely to be victimized by students who would prey on his insecurities. [8] This actually makes sense, as some students do not dare stand up against these school rules and their poor ability to fight back is practically a lure for bullies! In fact, even those who stand up can be annoying. Without school uniforms, obviously nobody would complain about their lack of freedom. However, in source [9], even though the author completely dismisses the victim and says "Mike DePinto is wasting time", this only shows the further complications that school uniforms bring. If school uniforms weren't required in the first place, Mika DePinto would have been happy and not have rebelled. Another example is presented way back in source [3]. Again, if school uniforms weren't required, there would be no need for the arguing over the emblems and all these complex problems would be solved. Onto you, con! SOURCES 1-3 IN MLA CITATION [1]Brosnan, Peter, and Alexis Brindley. "What Not to Wear: A School's Dress Code Limits Clothing Styles and Colors." Current Events, a Weekly Reader Publication 28 Mar. 2011: 7. Opposing Viewpoints in Context.Web. 10 Feb.2014." [2]Fetzer, Kent J. "School Uniforms Stifle Freedom of Expression." Salt Lake Tribune [Detroit] 18 Apr. 2002: F2. Opposing Viewpoints in Context.Web. 10 Feb.2014." [3]Dolan, Maura. "CALIFORNIA; Court Rejects School's Shirts; Judges Say Requiring Students to Wear the School's Motto Is a Free-Speech Violation." Los Angeles Times [Los Angeles] 15 Feb. 2014: AA3. Elibrary. Web. 21 Feb. 2014." [4] http://www.gate.net...; [5] http://www.goodreads.com... [6] http://www.loweryourspending.com... [7] http://www.classroomuniforms.com... [8] http://www.ehow.com...
school uniforms should be banned
Educational focus is important, but that's why students go to school, so how they dress is usually not the top priority. Uniforms are expensive. They cost hundreds of dollars, and when students grow out of them, families need to buy more. How students look and feel about themselves compared to their peers will still happen with uniforms. Only instead of outfit choice, which can easily be changed, students with uniforms will worry about other aspects of their appearance. Some examples are body shape, height, weight, etc. Growing adolescents need to express themselves to be able to develop their individuality. Making them look like everyone else (clothing wise) will only cage in their creativity. My stance on this issue is Pro, because I believe school uniforms should be banned for the following reasons above, and for more reasons I shall put into detail as the debate develops.
School Uniforms Shouldn't Be Required
COUNTER REBUTTALS 1. Dangit man, dangit. Why are you so good? I have to drop this point due to no rebuttal availible. 2. Actually create unity? Perhaps there's too much unity. Source 3 within round one states a parent complains... "I believe we should...advance independent, creative thinkers -- not standardized, uniformed thinkers." Frudden said. "To do anything less is to do our children and our society a disservice." 3. Reload the page once you're on it and it will work. 4. See point three for the link. Military has to fight the enemy, be heartless to the opponent, courageous and loyal to the country. School prepares you for jobs. You don't necessarily have to fight enemies in your furture jobs so....no. Military ideas do not apply to school. 5. Unfortunately I must half-drop this point. I can't rebut the fact that uniforms cost less than clothing as a whole. However, there's a reason that school uniforms are cheaper--once again, you can express more if you choose your own clothes. And also, it must be noted that if there are multiple school-age children in a family, then the cost of school uniforms is huge. Since different schools start around the same month and time, the parents will be forced to garner enough money to spent a huge amount in a very short period of time, in contrast to a big amount in a long period of time. In addition, if school uniforms get ripped or harmed, then a replacement would cost just as much, putting lots of burden on poor families. 6. Sigh....I suppose bullying does have a negative effect which must be prevented at all costs. However, is this one less way really work the trouble? (See point 7 below) I don't have to say why it's absolutely necessary, just that there's more negative effects to having school uniforms than not having school uniforms. Since I dropped so many darned points, I will have to construct some more. 7. Students will always find ways to express themselves, leading to less desirable forms of expression such as tattooing and piercing. I mean, nobody likes getting their freedom of expression restricted. Source [9] within round one just demonstrates this. And I just noticed that my opponent has completely failed to refute this point. Sorry I brang this up in the second-to-last round, but this is an important point that must not be avoided! (Which my opponent managed to somehow avoid without my notice) This also supports another point about how enforcing rules about uniforms is difficult, since, if students riot and complain along with their parents, complications will cause court cases, which schools don't want. Again, source [3] within round one demonstrates a court case that caused massive complications. If students don't like school uniforms, the policy can be extremely time-consuming and may not even work out! In addition, older students are more independent and feel the need for diversity and individuality. Because only about 19 % of all public schools had a uniform policy, and school uniform policies are extremely difficult to enforce, it would be much easier to not require school uniforms at all. [1] 8. Even if the Student does not feel the school uniform restricts their freedom of expression, there is still the case of wearing the school uniform. Kids are very picky about what they feel comfortable wearing. Some kids are opposed to buttons, zippers and restrictive clothing, while others may be sensitive to particular materials. Some children are also uncomfortable wearing certain styles of clothing. For example, many firls do not like to wear skirts or dresses, which most girls' uniforms require. A picture highlighting the fact that girls have to wear skirts as school uniforms No uniform can suit all children. In conclusion...Although I have dropped two points and half-dropped another point, I revived and strengthened an argument within the first round which my opponent forgot to refute, and added another strong argument! The resolution is upheld. [1] http://www.educationbug.org...
school uniforms
I'll start this off with a quick list as to why I believe uniforms are beneficial. 1. Creates a school identity/team spirit 2. Kids can focus less on fashion and trends, and more on education 3. Rich or poor, everyone is equal 4. Sets the pupils up for adult life; office jobs, uniformed work, dress codes etc. 5. Kids wandering out of school without permision can be easily identified and the school informed -- this prevents possible abductions and other incidents where the child can blend in without bring detected
School Uniforms
Agreements: Kids do think about what they want to wear in the morning. Now for my disagreements: -In your main argument you say that the uniforms will give the students better education. Which is definitely not true. Clothing cannot magically help someone have better education. -Clothing doesn't matter to bullies. They person will still get bullied even if they do wear the uniform. It's more of hygiene/physical/mental abilities that attract a bully. -Buying uniforms does not save money. It's actually a burden for poor families. If you think about it, they'll buy two versions of the uniform at the least. The parents will also have to buy out of school clothes too. Since kids wouldn't want to wear the school uniform outside of class I am assuming. -Schools are partly made for socialization, if it weren't then they wouldn't have other kids learn with each other. They wouldn't have lunch with each other. They wouldn't have clubs, extracurricular activities and sports for them to participate in. That's why homeschooled kids end up with social disabilities when they are thrown into the real world. My main argument: -Kids should have the right to be their own individual, by dressing the way they please to find and express their own personality.
School uniforms should be required
I can already tell this debate will be good, thank you. I appreciate the fact that it minimizes kids from having to deal with fitting in, but clothing isn't a big factor nowadays. Most kids in my experience determine popularity and such by religion, sexuality, physical features, athleticism, and intelligence. Kids don't look at clothes and judge; kids simply don't have to worry about that anymore. What about the fact that uniform prices can be out of range for some families? The Department of Education website says, "School uniform and other items that must be purchased in accordance with school rules can be expensive, particularly for low income and large families." (http://education.gov.uk...) I come from a family of 13, so we are fortunate to not have to pay for uniforms. A lot of people in the area in which I live are poor and have to resort to free or reduced lunches at school. They definitely can't afford uniforms. As for results possibly being better, in 2007 it was noted that more than 40 academies with What about the fact that uniform prices can be out of range for some families? The Department of Education website says, "School uniform and other items that must be purchased in accordance with school rules can be expensive, particularly for low income and large families." (http://education.gov.uk...) I come from a family of 13, so we are fortunate to not have to pay for uniforms. A lot of people in the area in which I live are poor and have to resort to free or reduced lunches at school. They definitely can't afford uniforms. As for results possibly being better, in 2007 it was noted that more than 40 academies with uniforms failed to reach the goal of 30% of students with 5 A's-C's. (http://www.guardian.co.uk... ) David Brunsma, an academic, studied this for 8 years, seeing that though the numbers looked promising, "Uniforms do not make our schools better." So uniforms are really only good for making a school look god, and who is going to know unless they walk into the school?
School uniforms should be required.
I have read your argument, thoroughly. My argument: As many have said, school uniforms are a huge disadvantage, but, I will say, has some advantages. I have heard many times that school uniforms take away the freedom of the students expressing themselves through their items of clothing. Many girls love having the freedom to pick and choose what they wear to school, but that changes with a school uniform. They have to always choose this one, boring, outfit that they wear weekday after weekday. Boys will also want to wear items of clothing such as Jordans, Nikes, KDs... When you have on a school uniform, they can't express themselves through their shoes. Another disadvantage is that clothing takes away the privilege of the students' expressing their culture. Many students' come from different cultures- African, Hawaiian, French, European... The list goes on and on. Uniforms don't allow the students' to express and take pride in their culture through their items of clothing. They could come from an African culture and have African items of clothing. The uniform-based Boys will also want to wear items of clothing such as Jordans, Nikes, KDs... When you have on a school uniform, they can't express themselves through their shoes. Another disadvantage is that clothing takes away the privilege of the students' expressing their culture. Many students' come from different cultures- African, Hawaiian, French, European... The list goes on and on. Uniforms don't allow the students' to express and take pride in their culture through their items of clothing. They could come from an African culture and have African items of clothing. The uniform-based school will not allow them to wear it. That goes for other cultures also.
School Uniforms are a good idea
Supporting Rebuttals: 1. There might not be a huge difference to whether the uniforms are school-supplied or not, but there can still be much competition. Like I said before, you have to take into consideration where some of these kids come from. There are many kids with unemployed parents, rendering them incapable of tending to their clothes. Other kids can afford to take two showers a day, have countless pairs of clothes, and two washing machines. Example: http://gb.dockers.com... ^ Dirty, worn, version of khakis http://farm1.static.flickr.com... ^Nice, clean, pair of khakis. Do you see the difference? Like I said in my earlier arguments, there is no way to stop this competition and bullying by making students wear identical pieces of clothing. 4. I must make clear that some students cannot stand school. Perhaps they are bullied, and made fun of. Chances are that they hate that uniform. Perhaps to them, it symbolises the hard times that they went through during adolescence. I stand by what I said when I stated: There is no way to get someone to like I must make clear that some students cannot stand school. Perhaps they are bullied, and made fun of. Chances are that they hate that uniform. Perhaps to them, it symbolises the hard times that they went through during adolescence. I stand by what I said when I stated: There is no way to get someone to like school, or there peers, or even get them to feel united, with such diverse communities of people in one building. Rebuttals: While the statistics that you have brought up are very convincing, I must add that those tests/surveys haven't been conducted since 1994. Times have certainly changed. Perhaps people have become more responsible since then, or the kids that did wear uniforms participated in acts of rebellion. Also, I find it probable that these studies were most-likely conducted in a private school, where most students wear uniforms. It's safe to say that most private school don't have such a diverse population of students as public schools. Seeing as you need to pay for private schools, the student's probably come from more stable home-environments, ultimately resulting in better attendance and grades, regardless of if they wear uniforms or not. Arguments: Many kids in today's society have commitment and respect issues. They cannot stand the thought of someone telling them what to do, much less what they wear. This is what causes rebellion. In 2009, a group of students at John A. Ferguson Senior High School rebelled against their school uniforms. Instead of wearing what they had been told to wear, they wore to school what they thought would make a better school uniform. The following link is to the article describing the rebellion. I certainly think that this could happen to schools all around the country if they are forced to wear a school uniform. http://my.hsj.org...
School Uniforms should be allowed in Shcool
I don't promote School Uniforms, I promote Dress code, which can be enforced. Secondly, dress codes are proven to be more effective because students can express themselves in a way that is according to the code. Lack of Effectiveness While studies haven't shown overwhelming evidence that school uniforms fail to reduce behavioral problems or create a sense of equality among students of varying socioeconomic classes, studies haven't shown they deliver on any of these promises, either. For example, a University of Houston study found a correlation between uniform policies and reduced student absences. Conversely, a study conducted at the University of Northern Michigan found no relationship between uniforms and achievement, and a "negative correlation" between uniforms and student behavioral problems. The research regarding effectiveness is still ongoing, but as of yet, it isn't promising. Self-Expression One clear drawback to school uniform policies is that they limit the abilities of students to express themselves visually. Students often use clothing as an outward manifestation of their personalities to show the world who they are without having to articulate it through speech or dramatic behavior. Those who must adhere to uniform policies have -- to an extent -- been creatively disarmed. Cultural Exclusion Exclusion exists on two levels. First, through the decision as to what the uniforms should look like, and second, through intolerance to students who want to dress according to their gender or sexual identities. An American Indian tribe in South Dakota claims that their input was ignored when uniforms for their school district were being designed, which suggests school uniforms are culturally biased. Furthermore, school uniforms present a potential drawback for gay, lesbian and transgender students who might desire to dress according to their sexual or gender orientations. If a school isn't willing to accommodate such students, the school could be viewed as discriminative. Costs Related to School Uniforms While school districts have argued that uniforms will be less expensive than clothes favored by some students, they don't take into account the cost for low-income families. For families who struggle financially, the requirement to purchase school uniforms for their children could prove significantly more expensive than the clothes they buy normally, and add to their financial hardship. Some Reasons Uniforms detract the student"s individuality. " Schools must be the place where diversity is observed. " The cost of school uniforms is prohibitive, especially when a family has more them one school aged child. " School uniforms are a financial burden to low income families. " A child wearing uniform can be the target for bullying of students from different schools. " Uniforms can decrease the child"s comfort level and attentiveness while attending lessons. " Enforcing rules to wearing school uniforms is extremely difficult, especially to public schools. Lastly, A qoute from a person who remains anonymous, Parents spend a lot of money on uniforms every year because children grow up fast. And let me ask you, how does this uniform policy help children learn? It doesn't. Assigning kids uniform takes away the ability to express themselves. I'm sorry but baggy khakis and a navy blue shirt doesn't express my personallity. I feel that my rights are too controlled in school. So screw all of you in the board of education. All of you make children hate school and your the reason why teachers don't get paid enough. They stand in a classroom 8 hours a day, 5 days a week to teach. Not to yell at a kid or suspend the kid for a little imperfection on the stupid uniform. Does all cities have serious gang violence, and how do you know that the male students aren't gay? Next, has it been proven that it could identify intruders easily, you can wear a school uniform if you are a intruder, no sweat. Diminishing Barriers, are false, what about outside of school, wearing school uniforms like that would mean that people have a higher chance to pick on you because they think you are a nerd or something. Vote for Con
School Uniforms Shouldn't Be Required
I thank 9spaceking for iniating this debate. I apologize for cutting it so closely. I should remind 9spaceking that the Burden of Proof is on him, as he is the Proposition and the person affirming the motion. As the Latin law goes: "Onus probandi incumbet ei qui diceit non ei qui negat". I shall therefore spend my time rebutting 9spaceking's arguments. 1. The first argument that 9spaceking gives is that school uniforms have a negative affect on the future of a child because later on, as adults, people have to make choices about clothing. I should strongly disagree, unless you end up homeless, which goes against the purpose of a school, you should have a job. Most jobs have fixed clothing requirements which are formal and often represent the kind of clothes you wear to school. If you ever look at bankers, teachers, and many officials they were, almost, the same type of clothes. The Uniform prepares them for this, it instills in them the thought that although they have freedom, all about their life they will have to conform to certain dresses. 2. I should mention that 9spaceking thinks from a very American perspective, while this may not be wrong, one has to understand that no where was our motion limited to America. Most of his arguments fall then and there. I should also mention now that his second argument is that it suppresses individuality. As the below article will show this is not true. Even with uniforms students find a way to become individuals. They can wear different accessories and hairstyles, also how very objectivistic of my opponent to state that only them. School Uniforms do nothing against personality which is the key to becoming individuals, these personalities are important. [1]http://www.theguardian.com... 3. If my opponent is going to state that Uniforms have a negative effect on the psychology of the youth then he must present evidence from different psychological journals or show this from logic, so long as he cannot do this, his argument does not stand. In truth uniforms do not make students robot like, I believe we are over exaggerating this. If we examine numerous people in school then we can easily deduce that they still have their personalities, with better attendance if I may add. It is no exaggeration that every year 160,000 students miss school because they either do not have good clothes to wear or are afraid of being bullied for what they wear. This may sound rather casual but when was the last time one of us went to a uniform enforced school and did not see children laughing, I go to such a school and I testify that what my opponent says is ridiculous. My opponent has already admitted that it does bring unity which is a major role, he contradicts this with his next argument. [2]http://www.theguardian.com... 4. Your link leads to nothing. Other than that the above sources show how students who wear uniform have much better attendance, this should lead directly to better grades as more schooling time means more learning time. Unless of course my opponent is insinuating that school uniforms harm the memory, something for which he has provided no evidence. His second part of this argument is an appeal to authority, this aside let us not forget that Einstein himself had to wear school uniforms. Lastly even in his old age Einstein used to wear the same sort of formal dress, this is because that was his unofficial uniform which he had to adhere to. The military uses uniforms because it increases discipline, bring forth unity and actually creates a pride within the wearers of their organization. 5. My opponent, it seems did not read his own source, while normal clothes cost an average of 72$ per month, by his own statement, school uniform (according to his source) costs 156 and 140$ per year. This means that at one point students only have to spend 160$ or so and at another you spend 864$$ per year. I believe the point is quite clearly made here. 6. You need to realize this is one way to curb bullying as I already showed this would affect, at the very least 160,000 children which is a major enough number, seeing as it is only for America. In third world countries like Pakistan often students buy cheap school uniforms are wear those everyday instead of having to buy different clothes which are pricy. This does curb bullying, yes bullies may find other ways but they will have one way less, and that is enough, considering how is builds discipline, and prepares one for the future, to keep school uniforms. The resolution is defeated. Onto you Pro, Ajab
School Uniforms Should Not Be Required in Schools
In modern-day society, school uniforms provide many advantages to student"s education. First off, school uniforms diminish the amount of bullying within schools by removing the opportunity to judge someone, by their appearance"everyone is dressed the same thus, judgment is forestalled. As my opponent has stated, school uniforms do remove the expression threw clothes; however, children find many other forms of expression: threw gestures, action, and voice"the implementation of school uniforms will not remove their individuality. If school uniforms were to be used throughout all schools worldwide, test scores probably would sky-rocket; due to the removal of such distractions as fashionable apparel. In addition, though school uniforms do cost money to begin with, it really is not all that much. We are granted the right as Americans to a free, public education; but this is only true to a degree. Each class has its own fees, advance placement classes require you to pay a bit of money in order to take the tests to receive credit; what harm would thirty to forty dollars do? Where it is true that school uniforms are not necessary, they could provide such advantages as higher academic achievements, and a decrease upon what bullying does exist. Note: My opponent stated that there were studies that were preformed, that indicated that school uniforms have no direct impact upon academic standings; I would not mind seeing these studies, in the next round.
School Uniforms
I believe that there should be no uniforms in school. People should be allowed to wear whatever they want- it is their God given right. The first amendment establishes freedom of speech, which is hand in hand with freedom of expression. If you take away a persons ability to chose what they get to wear, you take away their sense of individuality and the things that set them apart from other people. As long as there is a reasonable dress code, what people wear to school should not affect learning of others in schools.
Uniforms at School!
Thank you Pro... "Or maybe bullies will just decide to leave the poor kid alone" Maybe. But with no statistics on what the bully would do, (Look for new things to make fun of him for or just stop) We can't use your argument as an assertion or proof that it will reduce bullying. "Unless a bully knows where somebody lives, he cannot bully him/her over the weekends. And on the weekends, the bullied kid can just hide in his house. Bullies don't purposefully go to other people's houses to bully them" I really don't think that'd be a valid solution to the bullying problem, having a child stay home and hide doesn't seem like a very practical solution. "How? Bullies don't enter other people's houses to see what the person is wearing. This would just get the bully into jail. This argument makes no sense" The argument was meaning to say that the bully would find a new flaw. Obviously Pro had misunderstood it, thus it made no sense to him as he stated. The argument is that rather than the bully or rather enemy of the student saying: "Rats foiled again..." He/she would just find a new flaw. Remember, bullying is the *repeated* act of unkindness. [1] It goes unasserted that the bully would literally only have one insult for a student, yet still bring it up time and time again. "Uniforms do help ensure equality. Kids are more equal compared to each other if they wear the same clothes" "Not even a shred of evidence is shown to assert that students stand in front of a mirror for half of an hour every morning." "Unfortunately, it would be very difficult for me to give a reliable source to prove this" I know it would. "However I think we can all assume that there are some (a minority) of people who care deeply about how they look" Sure, but to apply this to the majority of people would not be wise. And yet again, a person who cares deeply about how they look does not enjoy wearing an uncomfortable uniform. For example, girls often have to wear dresses or skirts, when they might feel more comfortable in trousers, and boys often have to wear button-up shirts and ties, which can also be uncomfortable for active children. "If this were untrue, then people wouldn't be wasting thousands of dollars on shopping for clothes" Over what period of time? "How would you know if students would feel ridiculous in uniforms? Where in your sources does it say this" Well, I did say that students who are self conscious about how they look would feel ridiculous in normal clothing let alone school uniforms. But I shall also assert that they are uncomfortable. "Respect for America is shown in schools not by making the students wear giant flags, but by making them say the Pledge of Allegiance. You show respect for America when saying the Pledge of Allegiance" That's the point. There is not only one way to respect your area of education. Notice Pro has also ignored the question on why it is important to respect your school, rather than having a neutral view on it. " The cost of a uniform is not greater" "After all, students can wear whatever they want on the weekends" Obviously, when you add normal clothing costs it would be more expensive, or at least the same price. "And if a law was to be put into place that all students should be required to wear uniforms, it is likely that the government will pay those fees. After all, in order for this law to work, all students would have to wear uniforms and there are some families who cannot afford this clothes" How do you think the Government would afford this? Where is the omens for this going to come from? It' not as if the Government has a magic pot of gold to fill every desire. ""Why would students be more compelled to wear a uniform than they would to follow the dress code?" If this was how they were taught from the very beginning (elementary school) then yes, students would wear the uniforms. Dress code wouldn't be a problem if there were uniforms" Why not apply the same logic to dress codes? If the students always have dress codes, then they would get used to it. This could be comparable to getting used to uniforms. "Do I really need sources to prove this?" That which can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence as well. If you're going to use it in an argument, I require a source for it. "Yes many students do wear 7 outfits a day" Really. Show me your source that says this. " There are even those who take 20 minute showers every day" I'm happy for them. This has nothing to do with the arguments at hand though. "I was simply stating my position. And I'm not sure what exactly my opponent's position is here. I ask for clarification" The point was that you never justified taking away their rights to express themselves. "this isn't the last round yet" Of course, I never implied that. I'm waiting to here back from Pro now. Many of the arguments/Questions were simply dropped... [1] http://www.americanhumane.org...
