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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

No, they should not be mandatory

< (2 of 2)

School uniforms don't prepare children for adulthood

In adulthood, children will have to choose their own clothes. Why take this away from them in school?
Emma Jacobs
< (3 of 10) Next argument >

Context

The purpose of school is to prepare children for adulthood.

The Argument

Adults have to know what situations are appropriate for what items of clothing. These social cues surrounding clothing are not inherent, they are learnt. Letting children and teenagers make a social faux pas at school will help them learn what items of clothing are appropriate in the workplace and what aren't. It will help prepare them for adult life when they have to select their own clothes every morning. This is even more important in the modern workplace, where more offices are doing away with suits and ties and allowing workers to come to work in jeans and a t-shirt.

Counter arguments

Schools are preparing children for adulthood by having a uniform code. Very few jobs in the working world allow employees to rock up to work wearing whatever they like. Most offices and workplaces have a strict dress code, often requiring suits and ties or business attire. Even informal jobs like delivery drivers, cashiers, and gym instructors usually have a uniform of some kind. Getting children into the habit of wearing a uniform to school every morning is preparing them for the working world, where they will most likely be expected to put on a uniform each day.

Proponents

Premises

[P1] Schools are supposed to prepare children for adulthood. [P2] In adulthood we have to choose our clothes each morning. [P3] Therefore, at school, children should have the freedom to choose their own clothes.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P2] In adulthood, we have to wear a uniform or dress code for most jobs. [Rejecting P3] Therefore, to best prepare children for the workforce, they should have to wear a uniform to school.

References

This page was last edited on Thursday, 24 Sep 2020 at 10:44 UTC

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