Abstract
The paper is aimed at addressing the problem of school uniform implementation and reviewing positive and negative opinions on it expressed in six credible sources. The arguments for implementing uniform policy in public schools include opinions on its effectiveness for decreasing bullying at schools, increasing the level of discipline among students, and making students more respectful towards their teachers. The arguments against uniform policy implementation are also presented in the paper. Thus, there are authors who claim that school uniform contributes to gender inequality among students, and limits their right to express their individuality by means of clothing. Counterarguments also include an opinion of the author who sees no connection between uniform implementation and improving the performance level of students. In the end, all the sources mentioned in this paper will be relevant to future research on the necessity of introducing school uniforms to public schools.
Annotated bibliography
McDaniel, T. R. (2013). Making the school uniform decision: Is it right for your school?. Kappa Delta Pi Record, 49(4), 162-167.
McDaniel (2013) claims that uniform policy implementation helps to decrease the number of students who are late for their classes. To him, adopting a uniform in all public schools seems to be a good idea as it can help to distract students from their appearance and increase their interest in studying. The work can be used as a strong argument for my future research.
Roman, C. G., & Taylor, C. J. (2013). A multilevel assessment of school climate, bullying victimization, and physical activity. Journal of school health, 83(6), 400-407.
Another argument for the school uniform is that it is able to decrease bullying at schools. Roman and Tailor (2013) include school uniforms to the list of measures helping to withstand bullying that occurs throughout the country. In fact, wearing the same clothes, students have a small chance to make conclusions about their classmates’ financial situations based on their appearance.
Gentile, E., & Imberman, S. A. (2012). Dressed for success? The effect of school uniforms on student achievement and behavior. Journal of Urban Economics, 71(1), 1-17.
Gentile and Imberman (2012) claim that wearing a uniform has a positive effect on students’ grades, and it seems to make children respect their teacher more. Uniform policy implementation helps to make students more disciplined and decrease the level of inappropriate and disrespectful behavior. The source will be relevant to my research as it coincides with its thesis.
McCarthy, T. M., & Moreno, J. (2014). School uniform policies: Students’ views of effectiveness. Jsl, 11(6), 536.
There are certain authors who believe uniform policy implementation at schools to be ineffective. McCarthy and Moreno (2014) claim that their research shows that uniform policy implementation has nothing to do with the performance level of the students. According to the survey conducted within the frame of this research, only a few students believe that wearing a uniform can positively influence attitudes to learning. The source can be used as a counterargument.
Park, J. (2013). Do school uniforms lead to uniform minds? School uniforms and appearance restrictions in Korean middle schools and high schools. Fashion Theory, 17(2), 159-177.
Some parents believe that uniform policy violates the essential right of their children to express themselves. Park (2013) conducted a research to find out if uniform policy implementation denied students’ individuality. According to him, it definitely troubles students’ self-expression. This point of view can be used as the second counterargument.
Diko, N. (2012). The gender politics of the school uniform. Was It Something I Wore, 1(1), 208-224.
There is an opinion that uniform policy should not be implemented as students themselves do not see its positive consequences. Dico (2013) tells the readers about her experience as a teacher in some of the schools that implemented uniform policy. In the work, the author focuses on the negative emotions of the girls who had to wear a uniform and the gender inequality that it caused. The work can be used as a final counterargument.