The issue of school uniform and uniform policies in schools is one of the topics that has attracted significant debates among different stakeholders who have different opinions on whether uniforms should be retained or done away within schools. Schools are known to provide a good learning environment and a safe environment. The debate regarding school uniform and policymaking rotates around the two goals. Those who favor retaining school uniforms in school claim that instituting a school uniform policy would cause a shift in focus from clothes to the main reason children are in school, which is learning. Contrary to those who oppose the idea of school uniforms claim that having school uniforms makes it irrelevant for schools to teach about freedom, equity, and rights while at the same time having uniforms as mandatory, which is restrictive. Children are believed to get most of their education in an environment that promotes their comfort. The account of school dress codes and uniform policies by Wendell Anderson and Dressing diversity by Samantha Deane provides differentiated views on the issue of school uniform and policymaking in public schools.
Wendell Anderson’s article about school dress code and uniform policies holds that school uniform is a visible way of instilling order in children, which is necessary not only in classroom settings but also in society (Anderson, 2002). The authors arrive at the argument by reporting the views of others who address the issue. The views represent both sides despite having settled specific arguments at long last. Some views do not support the argument of school uniforms on the claim that they are restrictive. They claim that having a standardized school uniform is a disadvantage to parents who are not capable of affording the uniform due to high initial costs. Besides, the article articulates that having a uniform will make students look the same is a disadvantage to them. Despite the disadvantage of school uniforms, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. The study’s findings indicate that having a standard dress code promotes performance since students tend to feel secure while in uniform and free from the threat of violence. As a result, it will naturally lead to better performance as the dressing code symbolizes success observed not only in offices but also in classrooms (Anderson, 2002). Others support the argument who support the argument perceive uniforms as solutions to school issues. Thus, the findings highlighted in the article are a mere expression of experts in educational policies. The findings attempt to answer whether a restrictive dress code effectively solves problems such as school violence. The answers to such questions appear to different stakeholders who agree that uniforms play a critical role—overall, Anderson’s argument of policymakers promoting uniform dress code laws.
The article by Samantha Deane on school dressing code has a different view regarding school uniforms. The article articulates how school uniforms put restrictions on students from being diverse (Deane, 2015). The author’s main argument is that school is where children should have exposure to diversity and differences from other children. In that, Deane argues that dressing the same children will not be able to confront the differences and humanity of others. Besides, Deane also adds that school uniform made to create uniformity is not confirming and therefore should encourage children to see sameness while expressing differences in them in a real sense. Mainly the arguments by Deane put a challenge on the educational system to focus on how to let children explore differences in themselves as school life should teach them social justice and good relation which can be learned by appreciating the fact that different people expresses differences. Deane does not concur with policymakers at the forefront of promoting school uniform laws, as the author perceives no merit in their argument. From that, uniform policies do not provide a solution to disruptive behaviors.
Anderson and Deane perpetuate different opinions on their article regarding uniformity and policymaking. For Anderson, he perceives school uniforms as a solution to ensuring school discipline (Anderson, 2002). On the other hand, Deane perceives uniforms as a threat to diversity and restricting children from having different views. Anderson sees a school as a place to instill discipline and good morals in the children. For Deane, the school should teach the children human differences and diversity and, therefore, should be restricted to wearing the uniform which does not depict the differences among themselves (Deane, 2015). From that no denial that the two authors acknowledge school as a learning place and a teacher to social values and morals that one needs to live amicably in the society. School in both articles is depicted as important in modeling children into responsible adults who can be accepted in society. This reveals the essence of teaching children academic aspects and life issues in society.
References
Anderson, W. (2002). School Dress Codes and Uniform Policies. Policy Report.
Deane, S. (2015). Dressing Diversity: Politics of Difference and the Case of School Uniforms. Philosophical Studies in Education, 46, 111-120.
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