Back To School--School Uniforms, Good or Bad?

by horrible life 61 Replies latest jw friends

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  logansrun

  Do you actually believe that kids express individuality by wearing what they want to school? Kids are incredible conformists when it comes to clothing and fads. Give me a break. (And, to even insinuate that it smacks of communism is laughable)

  The purpose of going to school is to educate and expand children's minds, not to flirt with the opposite sex, show off their jeans and sneakers or "express" themselves in rebellious conformity (rebellious to adults, conformity to their peers). Children don't go to school every day. Let them express their "individuality" (hahaha) on weekends.

  Hell, I'm all for all-boys and all-girls schools too.

  B.
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  John Doe

  I respectfully dissagree. Education takes on many facets. Learning and expanding minds includes learning to function in society, which includes learning when flirting is appropriate and dealing with the opposite sex. How many societies have you seen that had separate men and women sections? In my experience, the kids who have healthy relationships with their parents do not follow thier peers in everything. Also note that I'm not against a dresscode--just against required uniforms. I'm against over-regulation in anything.

  My idea is laughable? can you explain to me how in a reasonable way without using namecalling? I reccommend a book by Ayn Rand called Atlas Shrugged. It deals with socialism and is quite eye-opening. Until then, perhaps you could respond to my earlier question about your views on "each according to his need," or taking from wealthy and giving to poor to make everyone have equal resources. My ears are open.
• 

  logansrun

  John Doe,

  I'm very familiar with Ayn Rand and her libertarian views. Been there. Done that.

  Everything in life has it's costs and benefits. Yes, there are costs in mandating a dress code or school uniforms. I simply believe the benefits outweigh the costs.

  B.
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  talesin

  Our school systems are all about conformity. Put kids in a classroom, have a regimented way they are taught (no thought to the individual's learning process). It's all training for us to become drones in the workforce. Individuality and creativity is usually not encouraged, and conformity is the name of the game.

  tal
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  John Doe

  Good then. Now, can you explain why the comparison between mandatory uniforms for the purpose of "putting everyone on a level playing field" and socialism is "laughable?" Afterall, if you're going to insult an idea, I think it's only courteous to at least make some attempt to back it up. Otherwise, you're just slinging mud. Oh, and by the way, Ayn Rand was part of a philosophy known as relativism.

  Talesin, sadly I have to agree with you on much of your assertion, and regretfully school uniforms are a factor that makes them that way. I've had good instructors in my education, though, and I can assure you that much attention was given to the individual learning process. I fear much of that is being lost, but that in no way justifies further changes along that path.
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  GentlyFeral

  $100 for a pair of distressed jeans? Well, I suppose that would make $27.50 for a single boring A-line skirt look cheap. But, you know, for $27.50 I could actually buy an entire outfit that I actually LIKED, and include at least one piece of jewelry. If you're skint enough that a whole OUTFIT shouldn't coast more than $20, then hell no, school uniforms do not level the playing field unless your school district is buying them for your kids!!

  OK, rant off. By the time my son was old enough to lust after a $100 pair of pants, he had been working for several years anyway. I always told my kids, "I'm buying your clothes from the thrift store. If that's not good enough for you, go to work and buy your own."

  I think fashion is a form of self-expression, and damn if I'm going to shut down avenues of self-expression for my kids. I remember reading a Catholic school girl's reminiscences, and the energy that they couldn't put into designer jeans went into socks and hairclips! Jeeez! Far better they should dye their hair blue and be done with it!

  If uniforms were really about "humility" rather than conformity and obedience, they could just establish a uniform that could be put together in any thrift store for ten bux: blue jeans, running shoes and plain button-down shirt (or t-shirt; then you could sell iron-on school logos for a couple bux each ).

  gently feral
• 

  sunshine2

  The thing with school uniforms is, that if you need to replace something in the middle of a school year, you will find it hard to find anything. Even before school started, my friend is running from store to store and they just don't have hardly anything left.

  Sure, it might be cheaper for families to clothes their kids for school with uniforms.....but they still need other clothes for after school. So you really need two sets of clothes, which is more expensive in the end.
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  stillajwexelder

  I also discovered at a fairly young age th fmale of the species likes amale in uniform!
• 

  Eyebrow2

  I think it really depends on the uniforms. At my daughters' elementary school we are having volunterary uniform year...the parents will vote on it again I think next year to see if we will make it mandatory.

  Today was the first day of school. When I picked up the girls, about 70% of the kids came out of the school wearing selections from the dress code...but it isn't one uniform, it is tan or blue pants or skorts or shorts, white button down or polo shirt, or red or blue polo shirts, or there is a certain plaid dress or skirt that the girls can wear.

  I guess this is more of a limited dress code than a uniform. We haven't bought new school clothes, because I wanted them to see what the other kids were wearing. they can wear their summer clothes for the first month of school any way hahah. My 7 year old wants all her new clothes to be the uniform clothes, and my 9 year old said no way. The 5 year old didn't care hahah.

  Our school has well to do and poor kids in it, and you couldn't tell by the clothes who were what. I do wish that we had a dress code or uniforms like this when I was a kid because I was constantly berated for my cheap clothes. The clothes we can buy from the list is much cheaper than most of the other clothes.

  I think a strict dress code or liberal uniform can make a difference for the poor kids feeling a little better about their clothes.

  However, the schools that go with very limited uniforms may be harder on poor families if you are limited as to where you can buy the clothes.
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  Evanescence

  ROFLMAO!!!! at the Watchtower!

  That is the most stoooooooooooopidist thing i've eva heard lol! if I ever do a debate on school uniform i'd love to see the class and teachers expression on their face --------->

  If I ever use those arguments against the school uniform!!!!!

  Evanescence