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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

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School uniforms are a violation of students freedom of expression

School uniforms restrict students' basic right to freedom of expression.
US First Circuit Court of Appeals Robyn Silverman
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Context

Most Western democracies were founded on values of freedom of expression and freedom of speech for all citizens. These are inalienable rights granted from birth.

The Argument

We are not allowed to force another citizen into conformity by dictating what they can or cannot wear, how they must wear their hair, or what jewellery they may or may not want to wear. Freedom of expression is enshrined in many countries constitutions. Clothes are an important vehicle through which we express ourselves, from wearing a rainbow-coloured T-shirt during gay pride, to wearing a pink T-shirt in support of breast cancer. Mandatory school uniforms are a clear violation of a citizen's freedom of expression.[1]

Counter arguments

Clothing is not a student's sole creative and expressive outlet. By taking clothing out of the equation, it actually encourages them to express themselves in other ways such as art, music, literature, or sports. It helps students learn that they are more than just their appearance and the clothes or brands they wear and reduces their reliance on their appearance as their sole form of personal expression.[2] Even in schools with mandatory school uniforms, students are still able to add their own accessories and express themselves through their appearance in that way. It does not limit the child's expressive freedoms in any way.[3] Also, in the workplace, an employee is expected to wear clothes which comply with the company's dress code. If this is permissible under freedom of expression rights, why would school uniforms be a violation of these rights?

Proponents

Premises

[P1] Freedom of expression is an inalienable right granted at birth. [P2] Mandatory school uniforms restrict freedom of expression. [P3] School uniforms should not be mandatory.

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P2] School uniforms do not restrict freedom of expression.

References

  1. https://school-uniforms.procon.org/
  2. https://www.frenchtoast.com/category/school+info/more+about+school+uniforms/why+school+uniforms.do
  3. https://www.newsday.com/lifestyle/family/kidsday/should-public-schools-require-uniforms-1.14315096
This page was last edited on Thursday, 24 Sep 2020 at 10:44 UTC

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