Say no to uniforms

                            FCAs                                                             Elena. Elias

1.     Supporting details                                                   March 16,2011

2.     Parallel structure                                                     English 6-1

3.     Sophisticated vocabulary                                        School Uniforms

Dear Superintendent O’Malley,

          “America has believed that in differentiation, not uniformity, lies the path of progress. It acted on this belief, it has advanced human happiness, and it has prospered.”  (Lois D. Brandies) In America, we have freedom in not only speech, but in indivuality and expression. This freedom lays the path of progress, and also has advanced human happiness. But how many of us actually experience this freedom. America plays a big part in freedom, as citizens, we play the role of being different. A big part of teens search in his or her identity is through clothing. We play the role of being diverse. Everyone around you is different than you in some ways. The unity of freedom has never relied on uniformity. Uniforms are breaking that chain of being diverse; therefore, uniforms are not a good idea. A uniform doesn’t allow you to express your uniqueness and individuality. Families that are above poverty lines might not get the financial aid from the district that is needed, and there has no significant impact on improving academic achievement by wearing a uniform.

          Wearing uniforms means that you have to hide your uniqueness and individuality. A uniform doesn’t make options for kids. If you block the freedom of choice, you block the freedom of mind. A big part in a teen’s search in which they really are is by the clothes they wear. A kid’s mind has to have so many paths instead of one. With uniforms, who are closing all these other paths and just using one. When a kid wears gothic colors, it shows their uniqueness or individuality. It tells people things such as “oh, that person is just like me”. You will never know what makes you unique or different if you wear uniforms. Uniforms for school are not a good idea. If you wear them for two, maybe even six days a week, then there is no being sure that you have found your real inner self yet. Without showing off your uniqueness and individuality, you will not find who you are and will show off dullness. Also, with dullness comes unhappiness, which leads to some things bigger.

          Families that are in poverty can barely afford to buy nice clothes, and uniforms only make it worse because they may not get the financial aid needed from the district. Families that are very poor can hardly be able to afford regular clothes. Therefore now, they would have to buy uniforms, another thing that they can hardly afford. Uniforms would just put more weight and it will be more difficult for the poor. Some people say that instead of purchasing expensive name brand clothing, you’ll only have to buy the uniforms. Most kids buy the uniforms and their clothing too. They’re not just going to wear the uniforms. Uniforms are just adding pressure for people who are above poverty lines.

          There is no significant impact on students improving their academic achievements. There is no significant impact on school achievements for students if you wear uniforms. Uniforms will just be a greater distraction because many people don’t like uniforms. They will try to ruin it as much as they can and instead of paying attention, students will be distracted by the uniforms. Uniforms may have a greater impact on school achievements. There is no hard evidence that it does however. Some people will not care if they’re breaking school rules by making the uniforms their own.

          America is a diverse country with the path of individuality and uniqueness quickly becoming longer. With uniforms however, it will get shorter. Uniforms lead to the decrease of being able to express your uniqueness and individuality. It will cause even more problems for the people who are above poverty lines and has no significant increase in academic improvement. Students should not wear uniforms. The United States is a diverse country and its citizen would like to keep it that way.                                         

   Sincerely,

 Elena. Elias