Should American public schools mandate uniform dress code?

[Spider-Fan]

I disagree, I really don't think clothing for the Kindergarten - Eighth grade student is a "form of self-expression". Sports, art, music...that's self-expression that requires talent and work. The clothing is just a expression of your parent's wealth, since the kids don't work and just mimick pop culture and peer pressure.

The argument I'm hearing is..."well, yes, it will make some changes, but its not worth it"

It still is. The kids are dressed by parents, but they are the ones watching sports, or power rangers, etc. Parents normally buy clothes of things their kids like.

It is still self-expression.

 

[Darthphere]

Well, who's problem is that? Don't let the evidence impact your prenotions. It seems obvious that dress code does impact the way students subconsciously treat the institution or environment they reside in. It may not be significant or life-altering, but that's worth it in my opinion.

The thing is, the evidence is flimsy at best. I can relate the decrease in squirrel deaths over the last 6 years to the Bush Administration. Just because it happened at the same time, doesn't mean one relates to the other. Maybe less kids are late because they simply implemented tougher disciplinary measures. I don't see how "Wear this uniform, NOW" and "Decrease in tardies" relates at all.

 

[SentinelMind]

No the argument from me at least is "it won't change ****."

And you know what, I grew up pretty poor, and my parents couldn't afford the Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger clothes, or the football and basketball jerseys, but I was brought up to have some pride and I was never really jealous of those kids that had parents who could afford such clothing items. I think we need to stop coddling these kids and infuse them with an ounce of self respect and stop this "they won't be picked on if they're all wearing the same thing" garbage.

I think allowing kids to wear designer-wear clothing in schools is the real "coddling"....public schools have a specific purpose to provide education in a structured environment. If you can remove one element that is known for being a distraction for little kids, why not do it?

 

[Darthphere]

I think allowing kids to wear designer-wear clothing in schools is the real "coddling"....public schools have a specific purpose to provide education in a structured environment. If you can remove one element that is known for being a distraction for little kids, why not do it?

That's ******ed logic. I'm sorry, but it is. "Little kids" can give two ****s about the brand you're wearing. We're really talking about teenagers here, and pre-teens. If I had a kid, and I had the money to dress him in the best clothes out there, guess what, my kid is going to get the best clothes possible. Why should I pay because others are less fortunate. It's not about showing off, it's not about trying to upstage the other kids. It's about wanting my kid to be dressed nice. See, it all goes back to the poor kid argument.

 

[SentinelMind]

The thing is, the evidence is flimsy at best. I can relate the decrease in squirrel deaths over the last 6 years to the Bush Administration. Just because it happened at the same time, doesn't mean one relates to the other. Maybe less kids are late because they simply implemented tougher disciplinary measures. I don't see how "Wear this uniform, NOW" and "Decrease in tardies" relates at all.

Of course, correlation doesn't mean causation, but of course you've chosen to dismiss the evidence outhand and made it pretty much impossible to convince you otherwise. You wear formal clothings in the work place, some people wear at their religious institution, or formal society. Why do they wear it, if its no big deal. The clothes you wear obviously impacts the student's behavior, that's why kids like fashion and rebellious clothing. The uniform dress code instills a sense of unity and self-respect in student's minds subconsciously and does have an effect on their behavior in the long-run.

 

[Ice-man]

naa **** that, i ware what i want, all i ware any are baggy jeans, and skate shirts and skate shoes... nothing against dress code there

 

[Darthphere]

Of course, correlation doesn't mean causation, but of course you've chosen to dismiss the evidence outhand and made it pretty much impossible to convince you otherwise. You wear formal clothings in the work place, some people wear at their religious institution, or formal society. Why do they wear it, if its no big deal. The clothes you wear obviously impacts the student's behavior, that's why kids like fashion and rebellious clothing. The uniform dress code instills a sense of unity and self-respect in student's minds subconsciously and does have an effect on their behavior in the long-run.

Difference being I get to decide what type of suit I wear, what color, and what tie I wear. Also, it really doesn't work, the analogy, because at a job, I get paid. So I'm going to wear what they want me to wear and get a paycheck at the end of the week. And please don't make the cheesy they get paid with education argument.

 

[SentinelMind]

That's ******ed logic. I'm sorry, but it is. "Little kids" can give two ****s about the brand you're wearing. We're really talking about teenagers here, and pre-teens. If I had a kid, and I had the money to dress him in the best clothes out there, guess what, my kid is going to get the best clothes possible. Why should I pay because others are less fortunate. It's not about showing off, it's not about trying to upstage the other kids. It's about wanting my kid to be dressed nice. See, it all goes back to the poor kid argument.

Hmm...kids don't care about the brand their wearing, but you're going to make sure your kid values the high-brand clothing he wears when you send him to school. I think public schools will run efficiently if the obsession with clothing is removed or reduced altogether, which uniforms help.

Your argument is essentially that YOU want to send your kids to school in brand-designer name clothing. That's fine. But that's not consistent with your other argument that clothes don't impact the person. It obviously does. Look outside.

 

[Kelly]

Teenage rebellion is something that's going to happen. I wore uniforms in elementary school and I hated wearing uniforms in middle school. Hated it. I mean, go to any middle school when the last bell rings and you'll see more than half of the boys take off their polos to reveal their oversized Tupac shirts underneath.

And thats fine.....but I've seen film where a regular T-shirt and jeans held over 75 different weapons.........in the high school I work in daily.....sorry.......but I don't want anything oversized......they want to put that on afterschool, and their parents want to pay for it........thats their choice at that moment......and actually, fr about it....from what I've seen, theres only a few that really *****, and I don't think the rules of a school should be dictated by a few.....in all of these cases in my district....the parents gave their opinions through a survey sent home, and the overwhelming majority opted for standardized dress....they are given 10 different colors of Polo's, and 4 colors of slacks....every Friday is jeans day....as well as the weeks of finals......we have never allowed earrings on guys etc...even though many teachers, myself included, have wanted that out of the school dress code....it has not been taken out.....we had a few gripe, quit, move, try to stage a walk out etc.....but the majority have gone with it.....and its just not that big of a deal........do I want a full on national ruling....hell no......but it works for my district and others.....

 

[Sun_Down]

I never really saw the need for uniforms or standardized dress codes. I think kids need a chance to experiment with godawful personal styles so they can look back at themselves in their 20's and go "God, I was stupid back then".

It's the natural order of things, people. Do not upset the natural order.

 

[Darthphere]

Hmm...kids don't care about the brand their wearing, but you're going to make sure your kid values the high-brand clothing he wears when you send him to school. I think public schools will run efficiently if the obsession with clothing is removed or reduced altogether, which uniforms help.

Your argument is essentially that YOU want to send your kids to school in brand-designer name clothing. That's fine. But that's not consistent with your other argument that clothes don't impact the person. It obviously does. Look outside.

I remember when I was 5, my uncle bought me a Lacoste polo for my birthday. It was the nicest piece of clothing I had at the time. You know what I did with it? I spent the better part of a week trying to rip off the alligator logo from my shirt because it scared me. So no, my kid wouldn't necessarily know that he's decked out in the latest fashions, but I will.

And going back to the poor kid argument. Isn't more of a strain on the family's wealth if they're forced to go and buy clothes they don't already have?

 

[Super Kal]

I had to say yes, but only to a few things...

 

[Darthphere]

And thats fine.....but I've seen film where a regular T-shirt and jeans held over 75 different weapons.........in the high school I work in daily.....sorry.......but I don't want anything oversized......they want to put that on afterschool, and their parents want to pay for it........thats their choice at that moment......and actually, fr about it....from what I've seen, theres only a few that really *****, and I don't think the rules of a school should be dictated by a few.....in all of these cases in my district....the parents gave their opinions through a survey sent home, and the overwhelming majority opted for standardized dress....they are given 10 different colors of Polo's, and 4 colors of slacks....every Friday is jeans day....as well as the weeks of finals......we have never allowed earrings on guys etc...even though many teachers, myself included, have wanted that out of the school dress code....it has not been taken out.....we had a few gripe, quit, move, try to stage a walk out etc.....but the majority have gone with it.....and its just not that big of a deal........do I want a full on national ruling....hell no......but it works for my district and others.....

But you don't have a size limit on those polos do you? If we're going to go to the safety argument, if a kid wants to kill someone, he'll do it, no matter what he's wearing or how big his shirt is. Kids still have backpacks right?

 

[Karea07]

Yes, i'm already done with grade school so **** em.

 

[Green Goblin 1964]

No....That is all....

hated when I used to where uniforms.....and I still do....

 

[Kelly]

I remember when I was 5, my uncle bought me a Lacoste polo for my birthday. It was the nicest piece of clothing I had at the time. You know what I did with it? I spent the better part of a week trying to rip off the alligator logo from my shirt because it scared me. So no, my kid wouldn't necessarily know that he's decked out in the latest fashions, but I will.

And going back to the poor kid argument. Isn't more of a strain on the family's wealth if they're forced to go and buy clothes they don't already have?

That's the choice of the family......I went to a high school that had standardized dress......I had my weekend clothes...I did not have the amount of that clothing that I would have without the standardized dress....but I had some.......

In most cases that I know of.....no the expense is not greater.....we work in conjunction with Wal-Mart in our area......and the standarized dress clohing is very affordable.....we've made sure of that.....the kids still have their jeans, and t-shirts etc.....just not a closet full of them.....and the shoes are the same......with our without standardized dress, and thats where most of their money went to anyway.......

Before standardized dress I saw the kids in pretty much 3-4 pairs of jeans weekly and many had to double up on t-shirts during the week.....of course we have some that bought the higher end clothes....but not many.....

Most of the surveys we got back chose standardized dress because it was going to help them in the pocketbook......they simply choose to tell their child no to two seperate wardrobes.....and the kids look their "coolselves" on the weekends.... they just don't have a closet full of those types of clothes....they can dress the way they want at the sports events, school events, etc......they get their chance to "shine" so to speak......

 

[Kelly]

But you don't have a size limit on those polos do you? If we're going to go to the safety argument, if a kid wants to kill someone, he'll do it, no matter what he's wearing or how big his shirt is. Kids still have backpacks right?

The polos have to be tucked in.....

And our backpacks are mesh or clear.....


And yes, if a student wants to kill someone they will do it.......but we don't want to make it easy on them.....

 

[Darthphere]

The polos have to be tucked in.....

And our backpacks are mesh or clear.....


And yes, if a student wants to kill someone they will do it.......but we don't want to make it easy on them.....

You live in Harlem or something?

 

[SentinelMind]

Albafan pretty much said it best, uniform dress code can be more affordable if working with company, sub

It pretty much comes down to what you value in public school. IF you think public schools should be a hang out spot like the mall, where you can show off your clothes inbetween classes, then yes, I can understand why you would want there not to be uniform dress code.

But if you think the primary purpose is to educate and that we should remove distractions, just like the military does (ROTC programs anyone?) , religious institutions, businesses, honor societies, ....then uniform dress code with some variety seems like an appopriate remedy to the problem.

 

[Kelly]

You live in Harlem or something?

LOL, no....

 

[BlackLantern]

I am all for uniforms. Remove the distraction of designer clothes and labels.

 

[Darthphere]

Ridiculous. "I got an F on the test because I was distracted by a girl's GAP shirt"

 

[BlackLantern]

No but when the one kid from the poor parents gets picked on and demoralized day after day after day.....even to the point where his shoes and glasses are taken by 6 "classmates" because he needs to dress better. Uniforms

 

[Spider-Bite]

No. I am against it. It's too much. Kids should be allowed to have identities and express themselves. And it is a form of self expression and not an expresion of how much wealth their parents have. My mother wasn't wealthy. She wasn't even middle class, but the clothes I made due with were an expression of myself and who I was.

And for the most part I don't think clothing makes much of a difference in who gets picked on. It's more about physical appearance such as breast size, obesity, height, and symetrical facial features. IN some instances "nerds" get picked on because of the way they dress, but they like dressing that way. Obviously it's an expression of who they are. Some people like to make a statement about themselves with their clothes. Some people like to stand out. And some people like to blend in.

This is just another example of people trying to make everybody conform to the norm, and fighting diversity.

 

[Green Goblin 1964]

I am all for uniforms. Remove the distraction of designer clothes and labels.

what are you two?

You make fun of my pants!!

:cries:

Please screw that....