7/21 Class Reflection

Something I didn't get to say in class on Thursday was a reaction to our conversation on uniforms, something I shared with my discussion group but didn't have time to get to with the rest of the class. Although I understand that high school is a period when students are learning to express themselves as individuals and one main avenues is through their dress, I fully support uniforms in schools, in particular uniforms for high schoolers. In addition to the code switching piece and encouraging respect for school and learning, uniforms, especially in classrooms with diverse student groups, can be a kind of equalizer along class lines. Although students will never be fully unaware of monetary differences amongst their classmates, uniforms take the pressure off of students with modest means to wear something different, something hip, or to not repeat outfits, a luxury which requires more resources. The use of uniforms in high schools also takes the debate over overt sexuality from female's revealing clothes, boys saggin' pants off the table, and in my mind leads to less distraction during what should be time for focused learning. An interesting class, and great discussion.