People will learn to evaluate themselves by what they are on the inside, instead of what they're wearing on the outside, then our public schools should be able to require students to wear school uniforms."
This was a what Bill Clinton said in a speech he had given endorsing school uniforms in 1996. There are many opinions on the subject of school uniforms, but whose opinion should we listen too? What I am about to present to you will consist of opinions from threes sides. Those who oppose school uniforms, those that support, and my own.
According to the Texas Education Code 11.162 a parent or guardian of a student attending a school at which students are required to wear school uniforms may choose for the student to be exempted from the requirement or they may choose to transfer to a school which students are not required to wear uniforms if space is available and if the parent or guardian provides a written statement that,
as determined by the board of trustees, states a bona fide religious or philosophical objection to the requirement. This law is what many parents in Texas who oppose the school uniform requirement use to fight against the decision of the schools to impose uniforms.
When some parents from Forney, Texas requested exemptions for their children, the school denied them causing lawsuits to be filed against the districts. The reason these parents opposed the uniform dress code? Because they believed it took away their children's freedom to express themselves. Other parents who oppose the uniforms also state that their parental rights are being stripped away. They have even gone so far as to set up web sites to draw others into their fight.
On the other hand, parents who support school uniforms share the same belief that President Clinton had, which was that having children wear a uniform to school might help eliminate some of the problems children face throughout their school years. Some advantages would be, it could prevent gang members from displaying their colors, it could help children not feel ashamed because their families do not have money to purchase brand name clothing, and it may help reduce the cost of purchasing new clothing each school year.
In my opinion, I believe that school uniforms bring many benefits for the schools, the parents, and most importantly the children. The parents who oppose this matter are acting more immature than their own kids. It is hard to understand why these parents do not concentrate more on things that could harm their children vs. something as petty as a mandated uniform.
When I was in school, we did not have money for the clothes that were popular or in style, so I felt embarrassed to go to school each day. My self-esteem was non-existent. This embarrassment stayed with me until high school where, in my senior year, I dropped out because I felt as if I did not fit in.
Now that I have a son of my own who has experienced four years of the school uniform dress code, I am glad each day that he does not have the same outlook in school as I had growing up. When he goes to school, he views each child as an equal and vice-versa. That alone is something I will be forever thankful for.
In conclusion, you must remember that although there are many sides to the school uniform issue shouldn't we come together as a team to decide what is best for our children, rather than what we think is right or wrong? Also, has anyone thought to ask the children themselves what their opinion is? Parents and school officials might be surprised to hear what the children have to say.
As for the parents who oppose the uniform dress code, they must let go of their selfishness and realize that there are many ways to express yourself. What you wear on the outside, does not necessarily determine who you are on the inside. Think about the opinions that I have just presented to you. Which side would you show your support for, the side that cares only about their rights, or the side that cares about what is best for not only our children, but for us as the parents and the school they attend as well.