We Are Not our Clothes - The Case for School Uniforms

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In the middle of the school year, two new students walk through the doors of their new high school. The first student walks into the school with a worn out book bag, tarnished shoes, and noticeably older clothing, and is automatically judged by his peers on his wardrobe. The next student walks into the school wearing all of the latest name brands, expensive jewelry, and immediately she is judged as well. The student with the visibly “higher maintenance” wardrobe is instantly approached by another student who is dressed in the same type of apparel. The student with the visibly older clothing is never approached by another student and is forced to bear the challenge of a new school on his own. Too many times in public school systems, this pre-judgment is a reality for students. School uniforms have been enforced to restrict certain types of apparel that can be worn during the school day. School uniforms are often said to restrict a student’s ability to creatively express himself through his wardrobe, but uniforms should be required in all public schools because they are an effective way in enhancing a student’s learning ability and overall school environment, by taking away the ability for students to pre-judge others based on their wardrobe. Across the nation feelings are bruised, hearts are broken, and reputations are tarnished, as a result of the need to be accepted through the clothing that one wears. Clothing and apparel are designers’ ways of making consumers believe that they need a certain product to reach a level or sophistication, or have a certain sense of pride, or even belong in a certain group of people. Fashion is a growing industry that people use to present their characteristics and emotions through the... ... middle of paper ... ...rms 10 December 2006: 01 . Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. DISCUS. 3 March 2010. . EJ3010509219. Marchant, Valerie. “Families: Dress for Success.” TIME, 13 September 1999. Web. 3 March 2010 . Portner, Jessica. “The Return of School Uniforms.” Uniforms Get Credit for Decrease in Discipline Problem 14 February 1996: 21 . Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. DISCUS. 3 March 2010. . EJ3010398217. “School Uniforms: Where They Are and Why They Work.” Manual on School Uniforms. 29 February 1996. Web. 9 March 2010 . Wilde, Marian. “Do Uniforms Make Schools Better?.” Greatschools.org. Web. 3 March 2010 .

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