Posted: September 6th, 2022

Mandatory Uniforms in Schools – Rogerian Argument

Mandatory Uniforms in Schools – Rogerian Argument
Introduction
The essays provide contrasting views to the controversial issue of mandatory uniforms in schools. The supporting side shows that students should wear uniforms in schools to create a safe learning environment while preventing violence. Conversely, the opposing side shows that wearing uniforms will restrict personality and expression of identity. The workable solution is that individual states should be allowed to decide the best option for their learners. The purpose of the argument is to examine supporting and opposing views and a workable solution.
Supporting Views
The essay titled ‘School Dress Code and Policies’ by Wendell Anderson provides diverse views on the issue of mandatory school uniforms in the United States’ learning institutions. The article argues that a policy to standardize dress codes and school uniforms should be implemented to create a safe learning environment and create a sense of safety for the learners. Proponents of the article argue that implementing mandatory school uniforms effectively promotes a friendly relationship among students and prevents violence. The reason for wearing a standard dress code is to eliminate the fear of students wearing clothes with violent images or messages. Some clothes have logos that portray a political or religious affiliation that can spread negative information among the students. They argue that wearing home clothes may distract the students and provide a comfort zone until they do not remember their purpose of being in school. Another important claim is that wearing a standard uniform will not create room for comparison and thus trigger low self-esteem. Wearing fancy home clothes will force students to pressure their parents towards buying them elegant and expensive clothes to meet their classmates’ standards or expectations.
Opposing Views
The second essay, titled, ‘Dressing Diversity: Politics of Difference and the Case of School Uniforms’ by Samantha Deane, focuses on the role of social justice in learning institutions. The article argues that mandating school uniforms do not uphold the American spirit of social justice since it will limit the ability of students to express their true self. It claims that mandating a common dress code would override people’s intention to express themselves and present their diversity and creativity. Deane only focuses on the role of school uniforms in the school premises while ignoring other consequences of wearing home clothes. The article explains the reasons why it is against dressing codes in learning institutions in America. One of Deane’s major reasons is that students should wear diverse clothes to express their diversity. Expressing their diversity will help them embrace their diversity and culture and avoid cultural bias in learning institutions. The article shows that cultural bias is a root cause of many problems in society and thus, solving it in learning institutions is commendable. Dean also argues that learners can express who they are through dress codes. The article argues that wearing school uniforms is a way of restricting the students’ creativity and personality and confining to one color or style of dressing.
Workable Solution
A workable solution is that states should be allowed to decide the best option for their learners. Allowing people to vote will create room for freedom and identity. It will also help people to decide the policies for their institutions.
Conclusion
The articles examine conflicting views to the contentious issue of mandatory uniforms in learning institutions. One side shows that learners should wear uniforms to create a healthy environment. The opposing side argues that wearing uniforms will undermine justice and expression of identity. A workable solution is that states should decide the best decision for their schools.