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.