School uniforms should be adopted by all schools (k-12)
Amazing the things that can happen when you leave your computer in the trusty hands
of a good friend. But be that as it may, although the phrasing is not quite what I
would have used, that not withstanding, they were valid points and for that matter,
valid and uncontested points. First of course is the cleavage argument. The simple
truth of the matter is, clothing, especially stylish clothing, make people look better.
People who look better, make the school look better. If looking at someone attractive
because of attractive clothing makes me happy, it increases the net util value to
society. Thus, allowing students to wear what makes them attractive both increases
their util, since they feel better looking sexy, and increases the util of those who
look. My opponent offers no evidence that the value of a more picturesque scenery
is somehow overshadowed by the "distracting" effects. In fact, if we accept my opponent's
arguments, then it would be impossible for people to study with music, impossible
for people to type if their computer have background pictures, and of course not feasible
for students to study if their classrooms are decorated. Perhaps we should all attend
school in prisons. The decor there is certainly to my opponent's liking, and it would fit
his capacity for thought as well. Second is the argument of free expression. My opponent's
only argument is that free expression does not apply to school. Apparently that is some axiomatic truth of life because he certainly does not back
this statement up. He has the burden of proof in this situation because as a society that values free
expression, he had the responsibility to prove his statement, and he failed. But I'm
not just going to rest there. See, freedom of expression is important to the health
and vitality of society, and especially important to the health and DEVELOPMENT of
our children. Again, my opponent wants his daughter to grow up in a prison. That's
fine with me. He can raise his daughter however he wishes, it's his right to stifle
her freedom to express her personality on a day to day basis in her interaction with
classmates through her choice of clothing. He does NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO DEPRIVE MY
CHILD OF HER FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION. My child has the right to discover who she is,
what she likes, and how she wishes to present herself. It should not be up to my opponent,
and frankly, ultimately, it should not even be up to me. It should be up to my child.
Last is the economics of the situation, a completely undisputed argument. (as opposed
to just weakly disputed) Clothing and clothing design play a huge role in the American
economy. A transformation from freedom of clothing to school uniforms will cause a rather significant upheaval, causing a sharp demand in designer clothing,
causing many clothing design industries to suffer. It would take time for resources to be redirected which does not change the fact that
these designers would remain unemployed even after the redirection completes. The upheaval will result in economic
downturns, lowering confidence in consumers and investors, and cause a minor recession
which would hurt our already ailing economy. But my opponent wants to teach children
in prisons. So what does it matter?
Pro vs. con view
Topic space view
