Schoolchildren should have a uniform dress code

Thank you for accepting, Con. I look forward to a robust debate. I will structure my argument thus: why schoolchildren should have a uniform dress code, followed by the demerits of a non-uniform dress code. A uniform dress code allows a student to fit in without fear of judgment reflected in the way they dress. A uniform dress code erases social or cultural barriers that manifest in the clothes that children wear. It has been noted that uniforms blur the differences between the different social and economic classes of the families that children come from. This allows children to focus on the learning (that schools purpose to impart) that takes place without fear of judgment from other students, especially in tender, impressionable ages, and teenage years, when social status is of particular consequence to students. In addition, it imparts an important value of respecting each other beyond their social status. Their inability to discern other students' social status results in them treating each other equally and this can lead them to understand that the barriers separating people based on status (etc.) are psychological. A school uniform acts as a unifying element between all the students. They wear it every day and are identified based on that, when they are in school or even outside. This allows for it to increase the unity and team spirit between the students, effectively improving their love for their school and improving the environment for each student. School uniform reduces the potential for a teacher to subconsciously pick favourites among students, based on their appearance and dress. Bearing in mind that clothes contribute to the first impression a person gives off, it is understandable, yet undesirable for teachers to subconsciously form more positive or negative impressions of certain students based on the way they dress. It goes against a school's purpose of imparting knowledge and inculcating character. Uniforms prepare students for the reality of the world that awaits them. A great many professions, both high-skilled and otherwise, make use of a strict uniform dress code. The reasons for these include respect to the responsibility of the profession, respect to the people they interact with, or simply a desire to impress and give off an impression of attention to detail and good grooming. I shall give just a few examples. In the law industry, lawyers in most countries have a strict dress code before attending court, judges wear robes and in many jurisdictions, even wigs. Employees in banks have a strict dress code, extending even to the way they present their hair. Businessmen and government officials wear suits or office attire. Constitutional institutions like police and fire defence have their own uniforms. In more technical professions, less of this is seen, though janitors are an example of those who often wear a certain uniform. In short, including uniforms in school allow children to come to understand and expect the demands of appearance that the world makes of professionals. I shall now move on to disadvantages of having a free or non-uniform dress code. Having a free dress code places stress on students to wear clothes that are in fashion, or that measure up to the standards held in school. Often, appearance is linked to self-worth and this manifests in worry about appearance and by extension, self-worth, which is undesirable in a school setting. It is also unproductive for students to spend a lot of time (which can happen) pondering what to wear the next day. The ex-President of the Group Resolving Antisocial Problems in Anaheim, California, stated in 1994 that she believed that a free dress code contributed to the country’s societal breakdown. This is especially because she felt that it goes further than encouraging free expression; it is a distraction for students during school time. I am certain that my worthy opponent sees the point: for students to spend time attempting to craft an “appropriate” identity in terms of clothing and fashion distracts them from exploring knowledge and academics, which is the primary function of any school. The source also advises that a free dress code is not appropriate during school, but that “[s]elf-expression in clothes is appropriate after school, on weekends and vacation”. A study done by Lillian O. Holloman, assistant professor of clothing and textiles in Virginia Tech's College of Human Resources, states the following: “School officials have observed that a significant number of antisocial, even violent, acts performed by youths both on and off school premises have been related to clothing. According to state law enforcement officials, some of the most severe problems include assault and robbery by youths for sneakers, jewelry, and professional sports-team jackets or because groups wear certain styles and colors that promote hostility in rival groups. One of the most commonly occurring crimes is the theft from stores of popular, status clothing.” This reiterates that a free dress code can cause unnecessary stress to students attempting to conform to certain standards, and can encourage antisocial, rebellious behaviour such as crime. Finally, a free dress code can substantially raise the risk of people wearing obscene, inappropriate, or offensive clothing. It is more than obvious that this is thoroughly unconducive for the learning environment in a school, and in more extreme cases, could lead to altercations if anyone gets offended by something that someone is wearing. I conclude with my position that a uniform dress code is the best approach for a school to take, and that a free or non-uniform dress code carries with it several undesirable side-effects, of which it is in the best interests of any school not to deal with. I look forward to seeing Con's counter-arguments.References: Smith, Katherine. "School Uniforms Change Behavior." Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 1994. Web. 25 Sept. 2014. http://articles.latimes.com... Holloman, Lillian. "VIA Holloman." VIA Holloman. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Sept. 2014. http://www.via.vt.edu... Pedzich, Joan . "Student Dress Codes in Public Schools: A Selective Annotated Bibliography*." AallNet.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Sept. 2014. <http://www.aallnet.org...;.