Yesterday was a rare
commute to work in a car vice a motorcycle due to inclement weather. On such
days, it gives me the opportunity to plug into radio entertainment instead of
my favorite iPod playlist. I found myself listening to a local Morning Show,
covering the topic of school uniforms. Now, having worn a uniform for 26
years, I'm not adverse to uniforms, but to hear the validations given in
support this morning seemed a reach.
I'd like to think I was closer connected to this issue as a father of 5, all in public schools and, save one in NJROTC, not required to wear uniforms. Listeners, however, seemed to be overwhelmingly in favor of school uniforms, so perhaps I'm just a lonely, out of touch, minority. The reasons given, with one exception, seem to be merely a matter of adult convenience, or young adult reflections.
Assertion 1: It is easier and saves time in the morning. Really? Again, I've worn a uniform for 26 years and minus the fact that it takes zero time to decide what to wear, preparing a uniform does take time. It becomes its own stressor and show stopper when you realize the next morning all your uniforms are in the laundry or you just spilled on your last one. Does that turn into an absence? Excused or unexcused?
Assertion 2: Uniform schools do better on average. Well, on average schools that mandate uniforms are also private. So, on top of spending money on school uniforms that adhere to the prescribed uniform, you also get to pay a large tuition bill each semester. There goes the savings on not having to buy the latest $350 shoes. Not to mention a strong caution to be weary of what expensive accessory will become the new differential. To my knowledge, no clothing inherently changes your personal motivation.
Assertion 3: (by two different male teachers, one middle school and one high school) Uncomfortable correcting girls on their dress, i.e. unwilling to enforce the dress code policy and send the girls to the office while indicating that uniforms would eliminate them needing to "control" themselves. REALLY?! REALLY?! You, a grown man, has control issues with underage females? There is surely a better argument than the old rape argument, "she was asking for it," to justify the establishment of your local Winston Smith coveralls. Perhaps employment that necessitates you to be around young girls is not the best career choice, if you fear you will have control issues. Additionally, that may speak to worse problems that need to be addressed by you that do not involve school uniforms and their validity. If you feel you cannot control yourself, or speak with a young girl dressed inappropriately with respect to school dress code, what happens if she comes and asks you a question after class, and stands (gasp) next to you. Should we worry about your control issues then? And what rule should be implemented at that point. No girls can ask questions after class?
I'd like to think I was closer connected to this issue as a father of 5, all in public schools and, save one in NJROTC, not required to wear uniforms. Listeners, however, seemed to be overwhelmingly in favor of school uniforms, so perhaps I'm just a lonely, out of touch, minority. The reasons given, with one exception, seem to be merely a matter of adult convenience, or young adult reflections.
Assertion 1: It is easier and saves time in the morning. Really? Again, I've worn a uniform for 26 years and minus the fact that it takes zero time to decide what to wear, preparing a uniform does take time. It becomes its own stressor and show stopper when you realize the next morning all your uniforms are in the laundry or you just spilled on your last one. Does that turn into an absence? Excused or unexcused?
Assertion 2: Uniform schools do better on average. Well, on average schools that mandate uniforms are also private. So, on top of spending money on school uniforms that adhere to the prescribed uniform, you also get to pay a large tuition bill each semester. There goes the savings on not having to buy the latest $350 shoes. Not to mention a strong caution to be weary of what expensive accessory will become the new differential. To my knowledge, no clothing inherently changes your personal motivation.
Assertion 3: (by two different male teachers, one middle school and one high school) Uncomfortable correcting girls on their dress, i.e. unwilling to enforce the dress code policy and send the girls to the office while indicating that uniforms would eliminate them needing to "control" themselves. REALLY?! REALLY?! You, a grown man, has control issues with underage females? There is surely a better argument than the old rape argument, "she was asking for it," to justify the establishment of your local Winston Smith coveralls. Perhaps employment that necessitates you to be around young girls is not the best career choice, if you fear you will have control issues. Additionally, that may speak to worse problems that need to be addressed by you that do not involve school uniforms and their validity. If you feel you cannot control yourself, or speak with a young girl dressed inappropriately with respect to school dress code, what happens if she comes and asks you a question after class, and stands (gasp) next to you. Should we worry about your control issues then? And what rule should be implemented at that point. No girls can ask questions after class?
Assertion 4: It eliminates competition and saves self-esteem. Ah, the one potential student focused issue; but does it do the student justice? Competition is all over the place, regardless of whether it is A's-F's, 1's-4's, or various types of flowers, emoticons, etc. Grades are being recorded and will be used in competition for college entrance. Businesses are about competition and we are expecting our youth to join the work force, correct? Besides what fun would Monday with the BCS be if we didn't keep score on Saturday (I do hope it doesn't hurt those players esteem). If our children never learn to compete, then we are doomed to follow, because at some point – someone will step up to lead. If children are not competitive, they will follow without question. Is that really what you want for your children? Or are you of the mindset that there should be no competition when they are young, but then demand it when they are adults, even though you did not take the time to teach them about healthy competition when they were in your care?
The whole thing seems like a twist to the zero-tolerance policy, which is ultimately a cop-out for leadership and discipline. There must be a better reason than lazy teachers grasping at straws for control of their classroom, and lazy parents, than this effort. What happens next when uniforms don't fix the problem?
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