True, they find writing difficult; but they can see, they...
Uniforms should be mandatory in all of the public schools of America
Once again, thank you for continuing our debate. You are right once again when you say that some schools don't offer fine art program. Yet once again, you fail to see my point, there are a lot more chances other than clothes to express yourself. So your school doesn't offer any art electives, join an art club or start one if you are willing to. Enter a painting or a drawing in an art competition, there a lot of art competitions out there; if not in your school maybe within your school district or your county. If you're brave enough, why not go for a state or national competition; you might win a scholarship or even be seen on TV, never underestimate yourself. I unfortunately am unable to agree with you on your statement of children with learning disabilities. True, they find writing difficult; but they can see, they can use their imagination, and they can move their hand. So what's stopping them from putting their imagination on paper in the form of a painting or drawing? Your argument of elementary students though is difficult to accept. Almost all of us have memories in kindergarten or in first grade drawing or painting or some sort of art in class. Art is a key component in early education years when children have the most imagination. You are undeniably correct when you say that some kids don't have the right assets to go to school. But let me ask you, is that problem really one that can be resolved? Poverty has been an issue throughout the ages from the ancient to the modern. No matter how many scholarships there are and no matter how many acts have been passed, there will never be enough money for everyone. Yet there will also be an infinite number of opportunities out there. We will never be able to give everybody the assets to study, we can just hope those who don't have those assets will use the opportunities that come their way. You say that the problem must be eliminated at its source; well the source is a flame with an infinite amount of wood to burn on and we only have a few buckets of water to put it out. If uniforms can't solve this problem, we don't have many hopes of what will. You also say that the American education is outdated, you say that everyone learns differently and imply that teachers are the ones that need to adjust. There is one teacher in a classroom and about twenty-five students, the teacher can't teach in twenty five different ways. Sometimes you have to be the one to adjust. I have to defend my statement on the fact that uniforms help people bond. This can't really be seen in older people but it is easily seen in schools. Children in general like to bond with people that they find similar to themselves. If they are wearing the same things maybe it will help them find similarities with each other. The point is, appearance is everything and uniforms promote good appearance and dignity both for the school and for each individual student. You also mention that some good schools don't have a uniform. This might be true, but the students from these schools most likely have good role models, either their parents or their teachers. Some schools that struggle, their students might not have good role models. These students are easily diverted from the good path and maybe uniforms will serve as a reminder. Maybe uniforms will remind students of the true purpose of school. I also find your statement about intelligence incorrect. You may not get it from uniforms but you don't get it from your brain either, you get it from hard work. And that uniform, it's a symbol. It's a symbol of hard work, discipline, honor, integrity, respect and responsibility. It's all in the package of a uniform. Maybe that's why the army, navy and other schools mandate uniforms; to teach their members of those qualities. So why don't we teach the students of America those qualities? Like all changes, it's going to be uncomfortable. But then why do we change? Because it's for our own good that we change, just like uniforms are simply for our own good.