Should schools introduce uniforms?
MinjaGligorić
Block pattern
Many problems exist in education systems worldwide and even though they seem like a small problem, school uniforms have become a matter of serious discussion. The effects achieved by the introduction of school uniforms have caused people involved to consider relative merits of adopting such a trend. Even though some people argue against school uniforms, proponents of this trend certainly put forward more convincing arguments.
Opponents of the idea of school uniforms often state that if this practice were obligatory, students would feel oppressed, and forcing young people to do something rarely has a good outcome. What’s more, they would feel trapped in their uniforms which would hinder the expression oftheir creativity. Second, they claim that different colors of uniforms would promote violence between different schools, in analogy with football clubs’ fans. The bigotry they claimuniforms would arouse is not a desirable phenomenon.
However, the first argument seems insufficient because the opposing side forgets there are other ways to express creativity apart from the way we dress. The second argument compares students with hooligans and is thereby misleading. In no way could the different colors promote violence, rather, the diversity would be enhanced and the children would be taught to accept differences.
School uniforms would make students take their education more seriously. The formality of wearing uniforms would make them feel united and give them a sense they are striving towards the same goal. Moreover, social differences would fade, for in wearing the same clothes students would be equal. It would teach them a valuable lesson that clothes do not make a man.
While opponents may disagree, introducing school uniforms has more benefits than downsides. The senses of unity and equality are reasons valid enough to support this idea. We should embrace this idea as a way of making our education a more formal and dignified process.
Ana Mitrović
Point-by-point pattern
The controversial issue of whether schools should establish uniform policies has been the subject of much debate. The keen supporters of uniforms believe they benefit children in many ways, while their opponents say they only cripple the children’s development. Although the reasons for the introduction of school uniforms should be taken into consideration, arguments against it have much more merits.
Proponents of uniforms claim that in schools which adopted uniform policies children tend to get bullied less because, according to them, clothing is the main cause of peer mistreatment. However, this theory is way off the mark. Although the apparel can subject students to abuse, it is not the only cause of maltreatment. In fact, kids are bullied for numerous reasons: their physical or personality features, economic status or ethnic and religious background. Furthermore, uniforms should not be introduced because they send children the message that it is desirable to be unobtrusive and consequently make them unable to stand up to bullying.
Advocates also maintain that uniforms save parents’ money. They say that they are affordable and parents do not need to spend a small fortune paying for many different clothing items. However, they are neglecting the fact that children don not only spend time at school. Uniforms are not economical because apart from the time children devote to school, they are also involved in different activities outside school and still need a variety of clothes. Therefore, uniforms should not be introduced because they can create additional costs.
Finally, the cons of introducing uniforms are definitely greater than the pros. Uniforms don’t help children get bullied less because origins of abuse in schools are much more perplexing and uniforms only exacerbate the situation. Also, they don’t help parents spend less on the child’s clothing since children don’t spend all their time in school. Hence, uniforms shouldn’t be introduced since they do more harm than good.
Nina Đukić
Point-by-point pattern
The issue of equality has been omnipresent ever since the beginning of modern society. Naturally, the efforts to achieve it have been made in many spheres, including education – that is, in many schools. One of the more controversial methods is introducing uniforms. Though many people claim uniforms should never be introduced, they are more than beneficial and should be adopted worldwide.
Opponents of introducing uniforms claim that wearing identical clothing leaves no room for personal expression and creativity. What they completely overlook is the fact that self-expression can be achieved through other means. For instance, students do that by forming their own taste in music that often corresponds to their own character. This is why uniforms should be introduced, as they help and motivate students to access the more profound levels of their own personality, much more effectively than different clothing styles.
Opponents also maintain that uniforms create a distance between teachers and students as they emphasise authority rather than cooperation. However, they misinterpret the situation because, quite the contrary, uniforms are proven to enhance the feeling of unity. Many students often feel left out, precisely due to the differences regarding one’s social status andfinancial situation. By making uniforms obligatory, the school creates a sense of unity, belonging and teaches the young about teamwork.
To sum up, uniforms are a useful, positive statement that should be here to stay. Not only do they promote unity and teamwork, but also inspire students to look deeper into themselves and discover the perfect way for self-expression, not just the one via clothes. It is an equality-promoting phenomenon which all schools across the globe ought to adopt. We may not be able to achieve equality instantly, but we can always strive for a better tomorrow.
DunjaManojlović,
Point-by-point pattern
School uniforms have been around for decades. But even though they have a long tradition, they can be a sore subject. For years people have been discussing whether school uniforms should be introduced. Even though they are considered to be a very useful tool for shaping a student's life, wearing school uniforms is very restrictive and tedious.
To begin with, supporters of the idea of introducing school uniforms believe that there would be no room for bullying or peer pressure, as all students would be equal. Although this is true to an extent, bullying is not only related to how somebody is dressed. Many students get picked on for having good grades or the way they socialize. Furthermore, research has shown that violence has increased in schools where wearing uniforms is mandatory. Therefore, introducing school uniforms would be a setback since they would only boost violence in schools.
Supporters of the idea also believe that school uniforms ensure that students will be less concerned about how they look when they all look the same. However, by introducing this way of dressing schools essentially create duplicates instead of teaching students about individuality and self-expression. By enforcing uniforms, schools send students the message that they are not mature enough to choose what clothes they will wear. Consequently, psychological issues and identity problems might flourish, which is why uniforms should not be introduced.
In conclusion, the contentious issue of introducing school uniforms provokes strong arguments on both sides. I believe that school uniforms should not be introduced because they can inspire violence and psychological problems among students. Instead of introducing uniforms which are confining and humdrum, schools should have dress codes which would control the way students dress. This way they can wear what they like, whilst still following the rules and being respectful.