Fatherhood Fridays – School Uniforms
My oldest daughter is going into the second grade this year. This will be the third school she has attended in four years. I found that she will be going to an alternative school, which throws me for a loop. I thought alternative schools were for bad kids. Apparently many of the cities alternative schools have been converted to regular schools; they just maintained the “alternative†within the name.
After calling the school, we found that she will be wearing a uniform to school. The first thing to pop in my head was the classic school girl uniform, with skirt and jacket. With that thought in my mind, I suddenly did not want to put my sever year old daughter in school. Later we found that is policy is skirt or pants, and we also found some really nice uniforms at Target.
This brings me to my main topic for this post. Are Uniforms taking the individuality form our children? I know that the main selling point for school uniforms is to lower violence in schools over clothing, violence that escalated many years ago when kids were fighting over the Nike shoes. My concern is that it is teaching our children to try and fit in, be like everyone else. I don’t want my children to be drones. She also did not like the idea of having to wear a uniform.
Over the past two years the “Tween†category of children has emerged. This is the age range of 7-12, and is marked by the young singers with television show about them, for instance Hanna Montana and the Jonas Brothers. My wife and I have come to enjoy the shows as we watch them with the kids, and also like the fact that they somewhat push the “Be yourself†attitude. My daughter has dove head first into the girly fashion want early on with the Bratz fad, which has since faded. Since then she has been assimilating the fashions and looks of many of her favorite television shows. I often encourage her in that, because the fusions give her a way to express herself. This self expression is stifled by the school uniform, which she will spend most of the day in.
I feel that with the stifling of creativity and self expression, we are slowly cranking out cookie cutter clones. The is farther exasperated by the removing of Christianity form schools, and the educational cramming of facts into the children. I am all for education, and the public school method of learning how to interact with others.
When it is all said and done, I feel that the uniforms my inhibit my child from learning to be and individual and think for herself, which is what this nation is really lacking.
Popularity: 57% [?]
BellaDaddy Says:
Right there with ya…but, in our area, we had the same uniform issue arise…and to combat it, the kids were wearing something “else” to individualize their personalites…like different sneakers, bracelets, a scarf etc….but, then, all hell broke loose, the kids were then competing with who wore the most expensivbe accessory…alas, the schools banned them too…
Posted on August 7th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Spinynorman Says:
There are other reasons for school uniforms and dress codes than simple Nike violence.
It is very strange that they would keep the name ‘alternative school’ if they are no longer one. Why would they do that?
Spinynorman´s last blog ..Fatherhood Friday – A Warning
Posted on August 7th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Zerzix Says:
I know the nike violance is not the only reason for the dress codes, but full blown uniforms is a bit much in public school.
As for the alternative school name I am not sure, my wife is looking into that. From what we see, they may still function as an alternative school for other schools in tha area. The students in the school get more one on one with the teachers, and the student to teacher ratio is somewhat low.
Posted on August 7th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
The Devoted Dad Says:
Very good subject to bring up. I think it is one that sparks great debate on both sides of the issue. On one hand, kids can’t express individuality through clothing with uniforms while on the other hand, are kids truly expressing individuality when they are fitting the “individual” mold that a super star like Hannah Montana, or Bratz dolls creates? Creativity and individuality comes in so many additional venues other than appearance, and the reality is that the tween group is so trying to find independence while finding a mold that they can fit into, all at the same time. It’s kind of an oxymoron, while at the same time just demonstrates the complexity of the age group. All in all though, as long as there are guidlines ( to provide a boundary i.e. No hoochie mamma stuff) I say, let them wear what they want. -Jason
The Devoted Dad´s last blog ..Shoots and Ladders
Posted on August 8th, 2009 at 12:26 am
Smallprint Says:
Uniforms are the norm by us – with no schools offering the option to wear regular clothes. My wife is a teacher and she is a big fan of this system.
It takes a lot of pressure off parents too – having to provide the latest trends – that change with the tide! I guess it eliminates one more thing to tease, or set apart – the playground is brutal – but I guess they will always find something to tease each other about
Smallprint´s last blog ..Feeding the Ducks
Posted on August 8th, 2009 at 3:28 am
Daddy Files Says:
I’m firmly against school uniforms in public schools. I understand the arguments in favor of them, but my high school tried to implement them under the guise of protecting us from gang violence. Except we were a lily white suburban high school with no gang problems. The other issue is the “haves” and “have nots.” Sure, some parents have more money and can buy their kids more clothes and accessories. But you know what, that’s just life. Not everyone is equal financially. I know I sure wasn’t able to have everything I wanted, but in the end that made me a better person I believe. Kids are always going to find something to make fun of others, and if it’s not clothes it’ll be some other stupid thing.
Basically as long as the kids aren’t coming to school naked or wearing shirts with drug/alcohol references on them, I don’t care what they wear.
Daddy Files´s last blog ..Bachelor Party!!!
Posted on August 8th, 2009 at 8:24 am
Zerzix Says:
@The Devoted Dad says:: Contreversial subjects is one thing I am good at. I like seeing others opinions. The sad thing is that my site went down for a year and I lost all my readers. I hope joining groups like Fatherhood Fridays bring more trafic back to my site.
@Smallprint says: : The presure is not on me finacialy, but creatively. I might start putting posts up on how to keep your kids in style on a budget. True creatvity and indivituality is what I like to see in my kidds. I dont want to buy the Hanna Montana brand, but we can take and make the styl from thrift shops and craft stors for a truely unique look.
Posted on August 8th, 2009 at 9:44 am
WeaselMomma Says:
No worries. My oldest is 15 and my youngest 5. All of my children have always work uniforms from kindergarten on and none has ever been stifled in individuality. It makes life easier when there is no ‘what’s appropriate to wear to school debate’ and most schools have a few options. My youngest starts Kindergarten this month and can’t wait to sport her uniform like the ‘big kids’.
WeaselMomma´s last blog ..Daadddyyy….
Posted on August 8th, 2009 at 10:16 am