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Should school uniforms be mandatory? Should school uniforms be mandatory?
Yes, school uniforms should be mandatory. Yes, school uniforms should be mandatory.
No, they should not be mandatory No, they should not be mandatory
School uniforms make classrooms safer School uniforms make classrooms safer
School uniforms help avoid distraction. School uniforms help avoid distraction.
School uniforms create classroom equality School uniforms create classroom equality
School uniforms save time School uniforms save time
School uniforms save money School uniforms save money
School uniforms establish a hierarchy School uniforms establish a hierarchy
School uniforms are a violation of students freedom of expression School uniforms are a violation of students freedom of expression
School uniforms negatively affect students' self-image School uniforms negatively affect students' self-image
School uniforms don't prepare children for adulthood School uniforms don't prepare children for adulthood
Students don't like school uniforms Students don't like school uniforms
School uniforms are a financial burden on families School uniforms are a financial burden on families
School Uniforms are impractical School Uniforms are impractical
School uniform policies violate religious freedoms School uniform policies violate religious freedoms
Uniforms are a weapon deployed to suppress the poor Uniforms are a weapon deployed to suppress the poor
Schools should promote democratic values Schools should promote democratic values
School uniforms are unfair for students School uniforms are unfair for students
Debate Mini Map

Should school uniforms be mandatory?
Back to question

Yes, school uniforms should be mandatory.

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School uniforms create classroom equality

Having all students in the same clothing takes some of the socio-economic cues from fashion out of the equation.
Anne Michaud Peter Wilson
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Context

Schools bring students together from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds. This is both a positive, as it exposes children to diversity and builds ethnic, religious, and socio-economic bridges, but it can also lead to students being singled out and bullied for their economic standing.

The Argument

With all students dressed the same way, teasing of students who might dress differently to others (either through choice or due to economic reasons) is minimised. In a survey among teachers, 83% thought that the adoption of a school uniform could prevent bullying[1] Aside from minimising bullying for socio-economic reasons, school uniforms also create a level playing field of expectations. Evidence suggests that when students are wearing nicer clothes, teachers have higher expectations of those students. This can lead to teachers paying extra attention and spending more time with those students while neglecting those who appear more unkempt. School uniforms create a level playing field both among students and teachers.[2]

Counter arguments

This is untrue. Anyone who has been to school or taught in a school will know that a uniform is unable to conceal socio-economic differences. More affluent families have new uniforms instead of second-hand ones. They replace uniforms when they become dishevelled instead of wearing them until they tear. Poorer students' uniforms are more likely to be poorly-fitted.[3] Nor can uniforms effectively curb bullying. Bullying in schools, as in wider society, is the result of deep power imbalances that go far beyond what clothes a student is wearing. While uniforms may reduce bullying along lines of clothing, they will do nothing to tackle the root causes of the problem and will merely push the bullying to other avenues of attack and victimisation. [4] Most teachers will tell you that bullies will still bully victims even when there is a uniform policy. The nature of the bullying will merely shift to the way the victim styles their hair or does their makeup, or what bag they carry and shoes they wear.

Proponents

Premises

[P1] School uniforms create a level playing field. [P2] They should be mandatory to avoid inequality.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P1] School uniforms do not create a level playing field.

References

  1. http://www.printwearandpromotion.co.uk/schoolwear-association-research-reveals-uniforms-can-powerful-tool/
  2. https://www.frenchtoast.com/category/school+info/more+about+school+uniforms/why+school+uniforms.do
  3. https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=https://www.google.com/&httpsredir=1&article=1593&context=ce
  4. https://theconversation.com/should-school-uniforms-be-compulsory-we-asked-five-experts-121935
This page was last edited on Tuesday, 26 Nov 2019 at 15:18 UTC

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