One of the first things I noticed was the dress codes. Every boy is wearing navy pants, white button-up shirts, and a plaid tie. While the girls are wearing a zip-up collared plaid dress.
Apparently this avoids any gang-related clothing...
Kindergarteners, really?!What do you think?
Should students, especially in early childhood classrooms, be forced to wear uniforms?
I have always been torn on this issue. I can see both sides. Clothes allow children to express themselves, and uniforms take away that form of expression. However, allowing children to express themselves through clothing could lead to gang-related clothing. I doubt there are any kindergartners in gangs, but getting children used to wearing uniforms from the start of school makes it easier. After all, at Beavercreek High School they threatened to make us wear uniforms several times, but they were always met with protest. However, if we had worn uniforms starting in kindergarten, I do not think it would have been a big deal.
ReplyDeleteThe students in China where I stayed for a while all wore uniforms. I'm not sure if I think it should be mandatory at all schools, but I do see how it can help at times. For impoverished students, a requirement of uniform might raise self-esteem and lessen teasing. Second of all, uniforms might help the students and parents figure out how to dress for the weather!
ReplyDeleteI agree you have to get them early. If you make a Kindergartner wear a uniform they will throughout school, but try to get a teen to start wearing them and that is not going to happen. The problem I see lies in a student's "freedom of expression" more than the gang issue, because a Jesus shirt could offend one person or an "F U" shirt could offend someone else...where do you draw the line? In schools it's easier to just make them all the same I guess.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for dress codes so all kids will appear to be of the same class; it avoids rich or poor kids for standing out as well as gang-related clothing. Plus it will make getting ready in the morning so much easier. There won't be any arguing over what to wear. I see nothing wrong with uniforms at a young age; this just teaches young kids that's how it will be. They'll never question it if they've never had a choice before.
ReplyDeleteI wore uniforms for 10 years starting in second grade. I can see both sides of this issue. While I understand the arguement that clothes are an expression of ones personality, by wearing uniforms, students are often 'forced' to learn how to express themselves using other mediums such as art or creative writing.
ReplyDeleteHannah
I taught in Dayton for four years and my students had a dress code. From a teacher's point of view I really like having it. All students from K-6 grade had to follow the dress code. You would be amazed at how young kids are influenced to wear a certain style. Parents like the dress codes because it saved then money on having to buy certain brands. I think it's good for the young students to get use to the dress code.
ReplyDeletePosted by Julie Miller