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Should school uniforms be mandatory? Should school uniforms be mandatory?
Yes, school uniforms should be mandatory. Yes, school uniforms should be mandatory.
No, they should not be mandatory No, they should not be mandatory
School uniforms make classrooms safer School uniforms make classrooms safer
School uniforms help avoid distraction. School uniforms help avoid distraction.
School uniforms create classroom equality School uniforms create classroom equality
School uniforms save time School uniforms save time
School uniforms save money School uniforms save money
School uniforms establish a hierarchy School uniforms establish a hierarchy
School uniforms are a violation of students freedom of expression School uniforms are a violation of students freedom of expression
School uniforms negatively affect students' self-image School uniforms negatively affect students' self-image
School uniforms don't prepare children for adulthood School uniforms don't prepare children for adulthood
Students don't like school uniforms Students don't like school uniforms
School uniforms are a financial burden on families School uniforms are a financial burden on families
School Uniforms are impractical School Uniforms are impractical
School uniform policies violate religious freedoms School uniform policies violate religious freedoms
Uniforms are a weapon deployed to suppress the poor Uniforms are a weapon deployed to suppress the poor
Schools should promote democratic values Schools should promote democratic values
School uniforms are unfair for students School uniforms are unfair for students
Debate Mini Map

Should school uniforms be mandatory?
Back to question

No, they should not be mandatory

< (2 of 2)

Schools should promote democratic values

Schools have the responsibility to promote democratic values. Uniform policies are at odds with that responsibility.
Stephanie Schroeder
< (9 of 10) Next argument >

Context

Schools in the West are not just educational institutions, they are a way to pass on democratic values to the next generation and ensure the future stability of our democracy. Schools, therefore, should be places that adhere to the fundamental principles of democracy, including freedom of thought, freedom of expression, a celebration of diversity, and a commitment to critical thought.

The Argument

The principles of religious freedom, freedom of expression, critical thought, and the right to protest are the pillars of Western democracy. In shaping the leaders of tomorrow, schools have an obligation to uphold these principles and create an environment where children understand their rights and the freedoms afforded in a democratic society. School uniforms, which stifle critical thought, reduce diversity and smother individuality, are in direct contrast to many of these basic democratic principles. Their enforcement, often carried out in a top-down approach without an opportunity to challenge or defend the rights of the individual, is also undemocratic and does not resemble the legislative or legal processes of a democratic society. Schools that teach democratic values should be participatory, allowing students to participate in the decision of what clothes they wear to school. They should be deliberative and promote discussion over what is acceptable and unacceptable attire, and they should be non-repressive. Uniform policies go against all of these terms and therefore have no place in Western educational institutions. [1]

Counter arguments

The primary function of education is not to promote democracy, it is to equip individuals with the skills to become skilled workers and contribute to the strength of the economy. In a globalised economy, with competition for jobs coming from other nation’s workforces, schools that focus on democratic education are doing their pupils a disservice. They must channel their efforts to focusing on preparing their students to be competitive workers than can excel in a hyper-globalised world. [2]

Proponents

Premises

[P1] Schools should promote democratic values. [P2] Uniform policies are not in line with democratic values. [P3] Therefore, they should not be enforced in schools.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P1] A school's role is not to promote democracy. It is to prepare students for the rigours of the workforce.

References

  1. https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/a-call-for-democratic-education
  2. https://tcf.org/content/report/putting-democracy-back-public-education/?session=1

In the Wild

This page was last edited on Thursday, 28 Nov 2019 at 17:02 UTC

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