Essay, Research Paper: Uniforms And Violence

Uniforms Cannot Control Violence
Bomb threats, shootings, fist fights and even name calling: all of these
are taking place in our schools today. School boards around the country
are searching for the cause in a desperate attempt to end the school
violence. Some say forcing the students to wear uniforms will do the trick.
I do not think wearing uniforms will lessen school violence any more than
it will win a fashion contest.
Many students express who they are through the way they dress. For
example, if a teenager wants to show the world that he loves Jesus, then he
or she might wear a T-shirt that states a positive view on the subject.
Similarly, a student might want to wear green colored clothing to celebrate
St. Patrick s day. School uniforms would destroy both of these instances of
freedom and even more.
Just as it is with every group of people, there is going to be a few
folks who strive to be noticed my others. If uniforms are enforced, the
students can no longer express themselves through their clothes.
Therefore, they will find new ways to let their true feelings shine through.
Piercings, weird hair and dramatic make-up will become more popular.
That would result in our schools consisting of stranger looking people
than before.
The establishment of school uniforms will not affect the amount of
school violence. Clothing is not the problem. Studies have shown that the
cause for violence in the schools starts at home between a student and his
or her family. Teenagers who have been neglected or mistreated by their
parents tend to be the ones who commit violent acts against their teachers
and schoolmates.
I feel that the use of uniforms will strip the student body of its
individuality and cause negative creativity. Students will rebel and be
uncooperative in class, thus causing more on-campus violence. We need to
focus on developing a better home life before we try to change the things
that it effects. In doing so, that would make all the schools around the
country a safer and more desirable place to learn.