Assignment 1.3

Assignment 2.2: Conflicting Viewpoints Essay- Part 1

“Should Students Have to Wear School Uniforms?”

ChaVeda Willis

Professor Japola

Strayer University

October 17, 2018

Introduction

Should students have to wear school uniforms has been a constant argument parent and parent, parent and school system, and school system and government. The debate affects kids’ development and their knowledge within school. Statistics show that the kids wearing uniforms has been beneficial as some negative comments. From my own personal research and experiences, I say that I choose the side of being against uniforms in our schools. I know that a lot of people feel like wearing uniforms is in the school is the best thing. The very few that holds that argument will be included int his essay.

The path to adult development is honed throughout the duration of early schooling. However, your transition towards adulthood can be hindered with uniforms. Since it is mandatory, you are not given the chance to decide for yourself, which is one of the hallmarks of adulthood. You know you are an adult when you are given the freedom to choose – whether you like this or that. When you were young, you know you are not an adult yet because your parents (aka the ‘adults’) made the decision for you. However, when you are restricted to wearing uniforms in school, you are denied the opportunity to make decisions for yourself. After all, you do not have a choice because the others have already made it for you. Although this issue might be seen as a simple one, it can have a huge toll in a child’s transition to adulthood. Because he was not able to make choices when he was young, he will most likely be unprepared for the rigors of the adult world.

This dilemma is rightly reflected in Erik Erikson’s stages of psycho-social development. The stage of adolescence is seen as a crucial one, for in this phase the person asks who he is and what he can be. Most importantly, he can either develop identity or role confusion. Clothing is considered as one of the means of building an identity, and without the freedom to choose, the development of such – as well as his transition to adulthood – can be severely dampened.

School Uniforms should be banned. Uniforms aim to give everybody a homogeneous look, right? Instead of improving a student’s self-image because he looks just like the others, it actually does the opposite. Students have different weights, body types and heights. Whenever one looks at himself in the mirror, he depreciates his self-image because he feels like he doesn’t look his best.