Editorials

Uniforms, Outdated by Keaton

What do you think it would be like to wake up every morning and put the same clothes on for a couple hundred days! In many schools, that’s what’s happening! How would you like to have detention for wearing socks adorned with a different design? That could happen in your school. According to Marian Wilde, uniforms are a very unfair additional expense for parents who pay taxes for a free public education. Many people have no choice but to go to the only school in their town. When uniforms are required an additional financial burden is placed on families that already have trouble making ends meet. Uniforms are a struggle to keep track of**,** but the punishments range from detentions to being suspended. Many schools, indeed many countries, manage to maintain high school standards of discipline, community and academic performance without adapting uniforms, ( IDEA: International Debate Education Association Wednesday, November 01, 2000.) Kids are capable of responsibility and self-control without the need of uniforms. There are many other ways to punish a kid without a uniform. One way to punish a kid would be to go out in the hallway or go to the principal’s office. When it’s a more severe case, you can give them detention. The rules are too strict for kids who have to deal with uniforms. Students always find ways to tease or bully others, regardless of what other clothes are worn, (America School Board Journal Aug. 2006, Vol. 193 NO. 8.) Some kids have a reputation for bullying and teasing. Usually, the kids that get bullied don’t have anybody to go to. , When they go to an adult for assistance, they don't respond. On the other hand, the adults that do listen help them and the kid that was getting bullied has more confidence in himself. All these policies lead up to confusion and distress. Not only that, but the extra expense uniforms drive people crazy. Uniforms are a bad choice!