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.
Sonja I agree, but I do empathize with students on having the choice to wear what they want to school. I don't have a problem with that as long as there are GUIDELINES such as the ones we named in class. The reality of the situation is that not all parents are checking to see what their kids are wearing to school (for whatever reason)and not all parents see the same things as inappropriate. Let's be honest, there are a lot of parents out here shopping with and wearing the same clothes as their kids! Therefore the school has to step in to create those guidelines on what's acceptable in the school.
SN: "I'm not yo friend, I'm yo Mamma!!" is what my Mamma would say to me if I had anything to say back about wearing something inappropriate.
Sonja said in her reflection:
ReplyDeleteSomething 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.
Sonja I agree, but I do empathize with students on having the choice to wear what they want to school. I don't have a problem with that as long as there are GUIDELINES such as the ones we named in class. The reality of the situation is that not all parents are checking to see what their kids are wearing to school (for whatever reason)and not all parents see the same things as inappropriate. Let's be honest, there are a lot of parents out here shopping with and wearing the same clothes as their kids! Therefore the school has to step in to create those guidelines on what's acceptable in the school.
ReplyDeleteSN: "I'm not yo friend, I'm yo Mamma!!" is what my Mamma would say to me if I had anything to say back about wearing something inappropriate.