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School Uniform Should be Compulsory

I'd like to clarify the points I made in Round 1, And perhaps shed more light on my responses to Pro's R2 arguments. First and foremost, That schools do punish defaulters for coming in an incomplete uniform, Or a dirtied one is very much true. I relate to this as I used to live in Asia for over 3 years, And the school system there is rather strict. However, Even in a general case, All one can see from the recommendations you made about "defaulting students" is that school uniforms merely complicate things. If we are to look at it from a neutral perspective, Wearing our own clothes eliminates the need for punishments or for students to feel intimidated or scared of the "uniform code". I believe that students live in fear due to the rigid codes of uniforms that most schools implement. Thankfully in the states, Most schools do not have this, But looking at it from the students' viewpoints, Uniforms are but an unnecessary burden. Countering your argument on liberal discipline (and I complement you for putting forth a strong argument there), Your concerns on bullying takes this debate to a new topic - bullying. Economic segregation, While existent, Is not very common within the classroom, Especially when it comes to hostility. In fact, Statistics show (and I'm afraid I cannot quote the sources here due to ambiguity over identity) that the sort of economic bullying you talk about is almost non-existent. I recommend a thought provoking article, That can also educate us on bullying and the reasons behind it. https://patch. Com/minnesota/roseville/bp--10-reasons-why-students-bully-16552bf0 Don't misunderstand - I am not deviating from the topic we are debating here, But merely infusing more knowledge into my argument. Also, I do not see how uniforms can actually bring about "equality", Like you say. Of course, Everyone is dressed the same way, And there are no untoward signs of hierarchy, But it rarely is due to the clothes people wear. Even coming from a poor household, And let us focus on some countries in Asia, As this is rare in the states, A student's uniform will be different from one from a richer family. I was used to this sight when in Bangkok, The poorer ones wear tattered uniforms, Bleached and unclean, The richer ones' being freshly ironed and neat. Uniforms, To counter your argument there, Do nothing to stop bullying, More precisely economic bullying. Too much freedom, I agree, Is more detrimental than beneficial. But isn't the basic freedom of choice (of what to wear) well within reasonable limits? Again, If we are talking about control over what students wear, I have never opposed valid rules set to ensure discipline in schools - if anything, Students who wear disrespectful/inappropriate clothing must be strictly disallowed from continuing as such. Your argument, "liberalism is important, But is not always the best idea for school children" is wrong, At least in the context of this debate, As I mentioned liberal DISCIPLINE, Not complete and arbitrary "freedom". You see, The term is difficult to define - Liberal discipline, And this to clarify everything, Must be coercive yet forgiving, Rule-bound yet reasonably free. Preventing students from going to the bathroom during classes is anarchical. Setting proper break times for them to do so, Is liberal discipline - while it has rules that must be followed, These rules do not, In any way, "confine" or "prison" a young student in any way. Again, My metaphor to robots seems to have been taken a little too seriously. I shall repeat, It was but a metaphor. Also, While I do agree that these uniforms stay at best until the students reach their homes, To think that one should sit in the same sweaty clothes that he/she changed into in the morning, And fastidiously tighten their ties, Almost metaphorical to nooses for convicts, Is saddening. I shall say this one more time - students deserve freedom. Imagine bringing up a future society schooled in places where they ought to wear the exact same thing day in and day out - can such a future fathom the concept of freedom? It takes one to experience true freedom, For him/her to advocate it themselves. Equality is in no way "better" than freedom - equality arises OUT OF freedom, And it is when people believe that they are truly free, Even in the midst of others, That society becomes equal. About the time factor, One cannot argue much against the fact that ironing and washing your clothes everyday takes much more time than choosing what to wear, Which will at most take about 3 minutes. Economically speaking too, Aren't uniforms less viable? You see, You cannot expect people to wear uniforms out of school (you said it yourself). As a result, Parents buy a set of uniforms, And on top of that they must buy the daily clothes. Having no uniforms saves money, As the clothes you wear at school can be worn elsewhere, Too. I once wrote a poem on unity, That had me allude to it given your argument on it - "yet what equality lies when we wear suits of grey and black, When people look not at your robes but at your skin when you want them to see your image, They see your sexuality o society, The future is wretched" The fact is, Racism or minority intolerance stems not out of the clothes you put on, But on other, "truer" defining characteristics. True unity cannot be obtained from uniforms, For (and this is a metaphor), Would you think your grandpa goes to school because he wore a uniform? Regarding safety (very robust argument there too, Good job! ) there are several other ways of identification. Classes have roll calls, Students have ID cards, And some schools even have CCTV cameras. In fact, The best defense is the one based on logic - while uniforms do ensure that strangers stand out, There are no limits on whether they themselves could be wearing uniform. The options are endless for criminals these days, And while I hope such events do not occur, Not having uniforms is every bit about as safe as making them compulsory. Hence I shall end my arguments here - giving students freedom is the priority. School uniforms, As I have pointed out, Waste time and money and fail drastically in creating a free environment for students, Where they can understand the true meaning and value of freedom, And in turn build a future with freedom for all, For equality is but a consequence of a free society - where free minds dwell, Equality shall follow.