Running Head: Assignment 1.

2: Conflicting Viewpoints Essay – Part II “School uniforms

should they be required?”

Assignment 1.2: Conflicting Viewpoints Essay – Part II “School uniforms should they be

required?”
“School uniforms should they be required?” 2

“School uniforms should they be required?”

I chose the topic "school uniforms should they be required" and the important point

here is whether kids in school, should be necessary to wear a standardized uniform. I believe

that schools should put into action all schools across the United States have a school uniform

requirement. My first thought for picking this side was on my personal inquiry and

encounters. Though after researching more on this subject on procon.org I found that I have

the same opinion with many of their reasons stated. The first reason is the education of the

students; I feel that the uniforms in school would help keep the students more focused on

their studies than what they're wearing that day. The second reason is that by using a

uniform, it would be so much easier for students to get ready for school and arrive on time

since they already know what they have to wear. Lastly, parents would save money on

clothes, rather than buy new clothes and keep up with fashion they only need a uniform.

The first argument to counter my position is how commercial interests may push for

school uniforms to benefit themselves rather than the student's education. While trying to see

it from this stance, it's hard to view it from this way when the uniforms are a less expensive

way rather than parents buying new clothes year around. It seems a lot of the research

occurring are to in favor clothes staying profitable are being supported by the clothing

businesses who are attempting to sell more product. If I looked hard enough and considered

this assessment, then I would have to break down the cost and compare it to buying regular

clothes. With this, you could say uniforms would make you spend more money on them then

it would be to buy regular clothes for school. Another point you could make against would be

with uniforms in a public school is you would strip away the free education aspect by making

families pay for an additional fee. Most parents choose a public school because of the cost

they know they would have to endure if they sent their kids to a private school where would
“School uniforms should they be required?” 3

be expected to pay for additional fees such as uniforms. This could be a problem for a lot of

parents who just can not afford uniforms for their kids if the school required them. Which in

turn the students would miss out on school since they could not attend if they can't follow the

dress code. The last premise is that while we worry about the uniforms, we would be

blindsided with all the other problems that would be going on. What I find appealing from

this point of view is that it talks to a lot of people and on how accurate this statement is. In

now a day it just seems the school system is just to burden with some many other issues and

the school would just introduce new policies to hide or distract parents from the other

problems that are going on. From this viewpoint, I think I would focus on that the time,

money, and effort to put a uniform policy in place could be spent elsewhere such as

afterschool programs or bring down school violence.

In types of biases, I felt when trying to understand the premises both pro and con on

my stance on required uniforms in schools consist of stability-bias, self-interest bias, and

pattern-recognition bias. Stability bias is people who are at ease with the present status quo

because there would be no pressure to change; the real view affects the result more than logic

can. Connecting this bias to the matter at hand, there are a number of schools around the U.S.

with a new uniform policy. This would tell me that schools adopting the uniforms program or

policy are making headway by making students stay on task and the right path in their

education. My family went to public schools with uniforms and honestly, I think it made

going to school a lot easier for me and less stress on if I would fit in with my regular clothes.

With uniforms, all I had to worry about was doing good in school and not worry about style

and fads. I know my mom loved them since getting ready in the morning was such a breeze

we didn't have to run around stressing about what to wear. I know a lot of people don't like to

tuck in their shirts and look sharp. I loved it, made me feel good looking and professional

rather than a slob. Another bias is of self-interest; this rewards the improper behavior as well
“School uniforms should they be required?” 4

as have conflicting incentives. At the expense of the people or group, the bias would work on

the premise that the people are more driven by the outcome that would favor what they want.

Parents want their kids to be safe and feel safe when they go to school. I don't think most

people think what could be done to make such an ideal place or what they would have to do

or give up to make it come true.

Lastly, there is pattern recognition bias this is when we seek out patterns where they

do not happen and pushing the further stock to recent events as well as focusing more on

memorable affairs. One instance of this how parents only get on this subject when there is a

problem at their school and how the current dress code plays a factor in the disturbance.

When it comes to your kids, most people will jump on the issue and provide a lot of weight

on the idea of a quick or short term fix just as long as something is done fast.

In conclusion, I'm glad I got to read multiple viewpoints on this argument. I don't

think I ever would have known all the other concerns that many people that want to keep

school uniforms out of public schools if I didn't read the "Believing Game." Personal I think I

would of just continue only to believe my opinions and biases towards this argument

stubbornly. After I read more into the matter and research more claims on both sides, I could

form better arguments on what is valid and what is just ignorance on the matter. To keep out

added cost for parents, not having uniforms in schools would make a lot of them happy. Then

again, I think this would balance out the means since for a lot of parents the extra cost would

benefit the kids more with a better learning environment and being safer. There are a lot of

programs being created and funded to help make sure parents can have their children afford

the uniforms for their schools.

This argument over whether public schools should require uniforms is becoming less

and less since more schools are accepting the uniform program. Cities such as Philadelphia
“School uniforms should they be required?” 5

have made it clear that all schools in their district would have to wear uniforms. Other cities

such as Boston, New Orleans, Cleveland, Miami are just a few of the places where more than

half of the schools are making uniforms required. Some schools haven't gone to full

uniforms but made new dress codes that require students to dress appropriately. I think this

just shows that people are realizing the benefits of uniforms, so they're slowly moving

towards uniforms. I feel by going over the other points of view and concerns people had as

well as reading the "Believing Game" that my opinion has not changed on this matter. From

now on though I will make sure not to become bias and one-sided on arguments and to make

sure I look from both sides before I make my opinions and try not press my views on to

others without all the facts or information.

“School uniforms should they be required?” 6

References

Are school uniforms a financial burden for poor families? (n.d.). Retrieved October 29, 2016,

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poor-families

Elbow, P. (n.d.). The Believing Game and How to Make Conflicting Opinions ... Retrieved

October 29, 2016, from http://www.procon.org/sourcefiles/believinggame.pdf

Finletter, T. K. (n.d.). School Uniforms - The School District of Philadelphia. Retrieved

October 29, 2016, from

http://webgui.phila.k12.pa.us/schools/f/finletter/policies/mandatory-dress-code

Helm, T. (2011, September 03). School uniform costs 'break the bank' for poorer families.

Retrieved October 29, 2016, from

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2011/sep/03/school-uniform-costs-break-

bank

ProCon.org. (2014, September 12). School Uniforms ProCon.org. Retrieved from

http://school-uniforms.procon.org/

Rykrsmith, E. (2013, June 7). The Fast Track. Retrieved October 29, 2016, from

http://www.quickbase.com/blog/5-biases-in-decision-making-part-2

Wendel, O. (2016, March 11). Should students have to wear school uniforms? Retrieved

October 29, 2016, from https://prezi.com/jghqkmhjtov-/should-students-have-to-

wear-school-uniforms/
“School uniforms should they be required?” 7

WILKINS, J. (1999, March). School Uniforms. The Humanist, 59(2), 19. Retrieved from

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Yarber, M. (1991, May 23). School Uniforms Save Money--Even Lives. Retrieved October

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