There are many cases of violence in public schools today. Students have reported cases of bullying, slapping, punching inside the premises of their own school. While many of these cases are not violent, its impact on the students is serious. Many students have been injured. Some students who feel threatened may refuse to go to school which may increase school dropouts. In an effort to help reduce school violence, school administrators are saying that the mandatory wearing of school uniforms can reduce school violence. Though schools are insistent on the mandatory wearing of school uniforms, it is my argument that it is not the proper solution to violence in school.
First, there is no empirical evidence that will support the argument that school uniforms can lead to safer school environment. It is actually preposterous to argue that having a school uniform in school will reduce gang activities. Gang members do not attack rival gang members simply because they are wearing clothing associated to a rival gang member. They attack their victim simply because they are rival gang members.
Second, wearing of mandatory school uniforms will not eradicate racial and social distinctions. School administrators say the reason why there are fights and violence inside school is that some students tend to wear expensive clothing in school. They say that this is a cause of argument between students. To say that students argue because another student is wearing expensive clothing is absurd. Students do not fight because another student wears better looking clothes. Students fight because school security guards and personnel are not around to stop them when they should be stopped. Students fight because they are not caught. Even if they are caught there is no strict policy against fighting in school.
Third, wearing of mandatory school uniforms will not prevent theft in school. School administrators argue that the mandatory wearing of school uniforms will prevent theft in school. This is also absurd. Even if all students are wearing the same clothing there will still be theft of watches, cell phones, gadgets in school. To prevent theft in school, there should be a strict policy against students who will be caught stealing.
Fourth, I will argue that though wearing of school uniforms will help prevent the entry of outsiders inside the school premises, the most important policy is to instill in the mind of the students the value of education and peace. So long as the students will not internalize these basic principles then violence will continue.
Mandatory uniforms are very restrictive compared to simple dress codes policy in some schools. Thus, it is necessary to establish that uniforms will help improve the safety of the students and reduce violence in schools. As of now, there is simply no evidence that it will improve the safety inside school campuses.
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