Some people
promote school uniforms as a solution to violence in our schools. But uniforms
will not replace confronting racism and cultural conflict. They will not replace
"safe corridor" programs to protect students as they go to and from school.
Uniforms
don't secure school entrances. They don't replace extracurricular
activities where students can express themselves. They don't replace
programs to help students find part-time jobs. They don't teach conflict
resolution techniques.
Our political leaders appear to ignore crumbling
school buildings, overcrowded classrooms and inadequate education funds. Instead,
they promote uniforms. Rather than requiring our students to wear uniforms,
we must provide modern, safe school buildings. We need smaller class sizes,
well-stocked school libraries and new computers.
It is time-consuming
for teachers to monitor and enforce the uniform rule. Our teachers' time
should be spent teaching and guiding our youth.
Uniform policy applies
only to elementary and middle school students. This is because administrators
know teenagers are sure to rebel against such a rule.
There is no evidence
that a decrease in student misconduct has any relation to school uniforms.
Increasing the numbers of teachers patrolling the hallways may account for
that improvement.
Mandatory school uniform policies cannot lower the
incidences of violence in our schools. Clothing is not the issue. It is our
failure to set priorities.
We must value our children more. We must
invest in the future of our children through our education system. We must
simply listen to what our children are telling us. We must act upon their
needs.