Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Should school uniform be abolished?

School uniform, this has been a topic of many arguments and debates across the world. This topic is also hot in exam questions for students. People have been debating, should the idea of school uniform be abolished? Or should it be kept? This topic has produced an endless stream of debates involving students as well as adults.

Those who are for the idea of school uniform will argue that school uniform is necessary as school uniform is a mean to bridge the social gap between the affluent students and the poorer students. They also argue that school uniform will help to instill discipline in the students. On the other hand, those who are against the idea of school uniform will argue that school uniform does not really equate students. It is also being argued by them that students should not be constrained into wearing school uniforms and that they have their rights to wear any outfit they want to school. Now, I am going to delve into these reasoning thrown out by both parties.

Let us now examine the arguments offered by those who are arguing. While it is true that school uniform gives a sense of equality among students, it is only true to a certain extent. First, it only gives equality to students who are studying in the same school. Based on my personal experience, there is no equality at all when students from many different schools are gathered in one place. When this happens, one could see a lot of differences. Some are wearing the uniform of an obscure school, some are wearing the uniform of an average school, while some others are wearing the uniform of an elite school. By looking at this alone, we do not need to be a neurosurgeon to see that equality is absent here. Biasness may even occur. People will certainly have better impressions towards those from elite schools. If those students are gathered in the room when they are wearing their own clothes, there won't be any difference as nobody knows where each one of them is studying and therefore, impressions won't be formed based on the color of their uniforms anymore. For some students who are not in elite schools, they may even feel down when wearing the uniform contrary to those who are in elite schools who wear their uniform so proudly that they even wear it on public holidays (I have seen people from elite schools who are wearing their uniform on a Sunday. What the hell?) Also, school uniform won't be so effective in bridging the gap between the affluent students and the poorer students. There are some other factors that have to be considered. One example is that, some students may be bringing with them expensive laptop computers to school to aid in their studies while some students are not even able to purchase a textbook. We could see the difference in them even though they are all wearing the same school uniform.

Lastly, regarding the disciplinary issue. Discipline problem will not be solved just by making the students wearing school uniforms. Even with the school uniform, students can also be indiscipline. Again, school uniform is not the only factor that determines the disciplinary of the students. There are many other factors that are correlated. School uniform is one of these factors. However, this is not the only factor that determines the discipline of the students.

In conclusion, the debate seems to be stagnant now. I am also lost now. In my personal opinion, it all depends on whose opinion it is. It is obvious that students who are studying in the elite schools would want the idea of school uniform not to be abolished. Perhaps, some of them would want school uniforms to be mandatory even on public holidays and outside school. On the other hand, those who are not in the elite schools would want the idea of school uniform to be abolished with an immediate effect so that they could wear their own clothes and being anonymous to public and not being known where they are studying at.

What do you guys think? Should the idea of school uniform be abolished? Or should it be kept? Please comment and tell me what your stand is with your reasons. I have provided two of the reasons above. I am sure there are many more reasons that can be provided. Alright guys, debate it out! Give me your thoughts! Thanks a lot!

10 comments:

hsinister said...

i'm fine with school uniforms

stealingcrimson said...

ok...ehh....first....i think even in elite schools the students wont want school uniforms

eh....second...i'm against school uniforms.....why?
first...more rules = more punishments, look at SPH...tight dress code = more chances of someone breaking the rule = more punishment = rise of dissidents

second, what is the whole purpose of a school uniform? equality cant be achieved just by school uniforms, it constraints the student mindset...well to some extent:S ...

third, it creates an unrealistic enviornment in preperartion for life after school

____________________

communism is an ideology....ideologies are not suppose to be taken seriously

Poison Ivy said...

Quote,

"Some are wearing the uniform of an obscure school, some are wearing the uniform of an average school, while some others are wearing the uniform of an elite school. By looking at this alone, we do not need to be a neurosurgeon to see that equality is absent here. Biasness may even occur. People will certainly have better impressions towards those from elite schools. If those students are gathered in the room when they are wearing their own clothes, there won't be any difference as nobody knows where each one of them is studying and therefore, impressions won't be formed based on the color of their uniforms anymore."

I Completely Agree. I Came From An Average Neighbourhood School. I Know How It Feels Like To Be "Small".

Anyway, They Should Make An Experiment.

Like, Making Students From Average Schools And Elite Schools Exchange Uniform For A Day.

We Say, Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover?

Well, We Are Hypocritical Without Noticing Sometimes.

Love,
Diyana

Unknown said...

well, for a start uniforms should be abolished because they do not allow a sense of freedom.

my f4riends and i are part of a debate saying that school uniforms should not be abolished. i am on the negative side saying that it should be abolished. can u guys help me out for some extra points??


but on the other hand, they do show a small sense of equality between students. that is a good thing, right??

Unknown said...

yes school uniforms should be abolished because some students have breathing promblem and they do not feel cofortable in collar shirts,tie etc.

XxXxMagicXMiraclexXxX said...

it makes sense but i still prefer wearing my own outfit ! the school's uniforms are to old-fashion !!!

jaylai said...

it should be abolished because if we want to go to other places we can just wear the outings and go...

Anonymous said...

There is no question in the matter, school uniforms will be abolished. They are the remains of an age gone by. They are unpractical and unfashionable. I discuss my battle against uniform in: http://thoughtsfromtheclassroom.wordpress.com/2011/11/07/giving-up-the-gun/

Unknown said...

SCHOOL UNIFORMS should be banned from all schools :D

Unknown said...

uniforms should be taking out of school :P