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STUDENT UNIFORMS CONTROVERSY
STUDENT UNIFORMS CONTROVERSY
Student’s Name:
Institutional Affiliation:
STUDENT UNIFORMS CONTROVERSY
Introduction
Education, without any doubt is a noble profession that anybody would be proud to be part of. It is far motivating and enjoyable to be able to work with curious students and dedicated teachers on a daily basis. With that in mind, the profession has several challenges and one of the most talked on issues that has divergent and wide opinions would be on what is best for the children. It is understandable that on beliefs people are very passionate and determined to find the best ways of catering for the children’s needs. These opinions however, are often contradicting or in contrast to other educators and parents and from here we start to see the formation of different sides or camps on the matter which sometimes tend to take up political undertones. An elaborate example of such issues would be the controversial debate on school uniforms. Parents for some time have considered the uniform as a final form of solution to the stalemate on the debate on what their children should be allowed to adorn while in school. On the other hand some of the parents feel that wearing the uniform is a direct infringement attack on their children’s rights (Gouge, 2011).
The school uniform debate has been contested hotly for a prolonged period and it seems it will still be a talked on issue in the future especially in communities that are on the process of implementing the policy. Some parents have taken a hard stand on the uniform policy implementation, while others support whole heartedly the new policy. The question as to whether the uniform should be worn or not by the students is indeed complicated and can easily lead to opposite camps becoming too entrenched on their stands to not openly welcome the other camps reasoning of adopting or abandoning the uniforms in schools.
While trying to understand the issue it is important to view it from both aspects namely negative and positive aspects of the uniforms. The positives would include them promoting more school spirit and cohesiveness; mainly through the aspect that there has to be more school spirit and sense of belonging since everyone is wearing similar uniforms. Some families also will manage to spend less on their budgets, since the uniforms would be less costly and this will help them save some money. There would also be a reduction on the bullying trends since the actual bullying or teasing due to family financial background would be directly handled. Having everyone similarly dressed will help the management detect any anomalies or intruders within the institution. Academic performance have also been known to be enhanced through the school uniforms; mainly since they give an impression of concern and focus as they get more engaged with their studies ,as compared to their dress code. Due to the socioeconomic reasons some students may have been ostracized because of their family financial status, but with uniform they would have high self esteem and it would boost their academic performance. Uniforms would reduce conflict within the families as compared to a daily routine of choosing the trending clothes; the uniform would well eradicate the negativity and conflict (Mayweather, 2013).
The cons to implementing the uniform policy would include families having more financial burdens; this is according to the argument raised by the anti-uniform’s implementation, it is clear that due to the global financial restrains there is not enough to spare specifically for trendy or fashionable clothes. This would be hard for the families that relied on handing down clothes to smaller siblings; this argument proves that it is not only unfair but also unreasonable to expect them to meet the cost of fitting their children with the newly implemented uniforms with the current financial strains. The uniform restrain a Childs freedom of creativity and expression and expects them to just blend in and be one with the crowd as compared to their expression of individuality and creativity that would bring out their latent power and free thinking aspects while at school. Uniforms encourage rebellion and thus promote difficulty in law enforcement by the administration or principal; since with the mandatory uniform enforcement students will have to find alternative ways of self expression and this will be a continuous cycle of punishments and expulsions by the management which would be in direct infringement of the student’s human rights. They also promote reduction on the students performance academically which would be in contrast to the initial proponents opinion of embracing the uniforms, in that the academics are interfered with due to the over emphasis on image by the students as compared to academics. Through curtailing critical thinking and creativity skills the students would be limited and their main source of self expression outlet would be no more and with it gone performance and self esteem would follow (DeMitchel, Fossey & Cobb, 2000).
After the review of the debate on school uniforms disadvantages and advantages one fact stands out that in truth, there is no clarity on the controversy. Many divergent studies and analysis on the matter have all derived different conclusions by their findings, example Professor David Brunsma on his book, The School Uniform Movement and what it tells us about American Education: A Symbolic Crusade he concluded that between school uniforms, academic achievements and safety there is no known positive connection. Ryan Yeung documented another study from the article (Marian Wilde, Do School Uniforms make kids better?) that was initially done to focus on Educational Policy, clearly shows that school uniforms have no effect on school achievement and in some cases hinder its process. Oxford Brookes University found a contrast to these two findings which found that the school uniforms reduce bullying instances and improve student behavior. In addition, a study done by University of Houston stated that student behavior and absenteeism is reduced by the uniforms, and as such they improve overall performance
Considering the very political nature of this topic and the wide array of opinions, it would be contended that there would never be a single definite answer to the issue. I would instead propose that it is dependent entirely on the population and schools nature. It would be disastrous in others and in some cases wonderful to have school uniforms. When finding a solution the key it needs is to local in its characteristics and in addition come about as a process that has healthy discussions and debates that offers divergent opinions with respect that include staff, parents and students. This issue is critical in that it has possibility of destroying a school. An approach that is equitable and inclusively fair to this problem will not only make the school stronger than it was initially but will also prevent the problem from re-occurring again.
My standing on the uniforms issue would be that the students should maintain their uniforms while at school, my reasoning on the subject would be that the mandatory schools stereotypical argument for keeping the uniforms is that they destroy creativity and individualism. However no mater how this national debate intensifies it shows that the argument is statistically and subjectively unverifiable. School uniforms, in reality have on conformity or direct positive effects on student, uniforms as often stated help bring out the exact divergent effects on the students and the recorded results are still negative (Sowell, 2012).
In learning institutions that do not have uniforms, the opportunity to redefine their mage is given to the students mainly through clothes; in that they can be flexible in their adorning. Example in that to hide curves on a heavy-set person, a student can wear baggy clothes. In this manner the clothes that the trendy or cool people wear can be understood to intimidate the rest of the student body and are biased on their selected casualties namely the un-cool in the school.
Uniforms become a non-factor if regarded as attires, since they mainly focus on highlighting the physical appearance of the students. By always having to look smart and trim, the uniforms make the students physique more visible and obvious. Due to this there cannot be a modest resorting of clothing for the physically less gifted this aspect for distinguishment and classification due to student natural propensity promote need for hierarchies and cliques mainly based on image and status. This point helps stress on the relevance of the problem the uniforms try to address, since it affects the students self esteem and academic performance (Reed, 2011).
Conclusion
Uniform attire admittedly would be very beneficial during student sports or on field trips in unfamiliar locations or events, while they are together or in groups, it would allow for easy identification and still promote a sense of solidarity between the students. If imposed within school grounds uniformity advantages far out way the possible disadvantages, whether through cliques in the institution mainly through loss of confidence or physical appearance. In this understanding clothes are not perceived as the root cause for the uniform problem, the issue however can be described as the biasness that people relate to the associated clothes. In the end the controversy will never have a compromise since, the argument can still go both ways.
Reference
DeMitchell, T. A., Fossey, R., & Cobb, C. (2000). Dress codes in the public schools: Principals,
policies, and precepts. JL & Educ., 29, 31.
Gouge, W. E. (2011). A comparison research study on the use of school uniforms and
graduation, attendance, and suspension rates in east Tennessee (Doctoral dissertation, Liberty University).
Mayweather, J. (2013). The Relationship between Mandatory School Uniforms and Attendance.
Reed, J. B. (2011). EFFECTS OF A SCHOOL UNIFORM POLICY ON AN URBAN SCHOOL
DISTRICT (Doctoral dissertation, NORTHERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY).
Sowell, R. E. (2012). The Relationship of School Uniforms to Student Attendance, Achievement,
and Discipline (Doctoral dissertation, Liberty University).
History Term Definition
The Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis occurred during the Cold War, and it was characterized by growing antagonism between the Soviet Union, the United States, and Cuba. The Soviet Union and Cuba were allied to create discomfort for the US as the USSR built missile sites within Cuba as part of the heightened Cold War period.
USS Maddox
A second ship in the US Navy named after a US Marine Corps Captain William Maddox who was heroic in his service in the Mexican-American War. The ship served a variety of roles and functions including escort duties, supporting logistics, and antisubmarine duty. It was part of the Vietnam War’s warship in support of the US troops.
Counter-Culture
A counter-culture is a sub-culture characterized by ideas and patterns of behavior that are notably different from those of mainstream society, and are frequently diametrically opposed to those of mainstream society. In a specific historical period, a counter-cultural movement represents the attitudes and aspirations of an individual or group within a particular community.
Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique
The Feminine Mystique in Post-World War II American Society is a key book by feminist Betty Friedan, published in 1963. It depicts widespread dissatisfaction among women in post-World War II American culture. Friedan coined the expression “feminine mystique” to describe society’s notion that women may find satisfaction only via household chores, marriage, reproductive activities, and child rearing.
Black Panther Party
An anti-police brutality group known as the Black Panther Party was formed by Bobby Seale and Huey Newton in 1966 to fight police brutality against the African American population. The members addressed politicians, challenged the police, and protected black residents from being attacked by white vigilantes, a common occurrence at the time.
Watergate Break-In
The Watergate Break-In was a huge political crisis that erupted during and after the 1972 US presidential election. Several burglars were apprehended inside the Democratic National Committee’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.’s Watergate complex on June 17, 1972. According to the evidence, the break-in was connected to President Richard Nixon’s re-election campaign in 1972.
Pentagon Papers
According to historical records, a top-secret Department of Defense inquiry on the United States’ political and military involvement in Vietnam and the Vietnam War from 1945 to 1967 was known by the codename “The Pentagon Papers.” The Pentagon Papers are an investigation of the origins and history of the Vietnam War.
OPEC Oil Embargo
The OPEC oil embargo occurred when the 12 member countries of the Organization of the Petroleum Supplying Countries (OPEC) stopped exporting oil to the United States. Petrol prices skyrocketed as a result of the ban. Prices increased by more than thrice in the period between 1973 and 1974 as a result of these actions, marking a key era in the history of world trading.
Nixon / Kissinger’s Detente
Between 1969 and 1974, the strategy of de-escalating tensions between the Soviet Union and the West was pursued by President Richard Nixon, Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, and Soviet Premier Leonid Brezhnev. As a key component of US President Richard Nixon’s foreign policy, it began in 1969 in an effort to prevent nuclear escalation in an effort to defuse the situation.
Fall of South Vietnam, 1975
President Richard Nixon had secretly issued a promise to South Vietnam that if North Vietnam violated the terms of the peace agreement, the United States would “respond with military force.” However, as a result of Nixon’s resignation over the Watergate scandal, the North Vietnamese Army felt emboldened to launch a large offensive in March 1975, which was ultimately successful.
Jimmy Carter’s “Crisis of Confidence” speech (aka “Malaise Speech”)
On July 15, 1979, Jimmy Carter delivered the “Malaise Speech,” a White House televised speech in his third year as President. In 1979, most Americans were upset by a gas shortage, rising prices, and a high unemployment rate. Americans blamed the government for these issues, whether or wrongly. The speech addressed the ensuing discomfort.
Part C
This week’s materials are interesting on several levels. First, Jimmy Carter’s human rights and foreign policy discusses the need for the country to adopt a democratic foreign policy that uses influence and power to create more humane conditions, support, and create change for the world. However, this came at a time when the situation at home was not very humane for the minority groups, especially the African Americans. This is very interesting to see how the president, at the time, ignored the issues at home to focus his expansive strategy to the outside world. Martin Luther King Jr.’s letter from Birmingham jail is proof of these conflict where the situation at home was more urgent than the president’s need to expand foreign policy to other countries.
Ethics in Business
Ethics in Business
Business ethics is generally referred to as the set of rules and regulations that participants in a certain field in business should live up to. These rules are usually directed towards ensuring that the employees are morally upright and socially responsible especially when dealing with their clients. In an organizational setting, bureaucracy is inevitable, there are those who formulate and ensure the rules are followed. On the other hand, there is a group – employees – who are expected to comply with the rules for efficiency. We realize that with the extreme competition in business today, chances that they may involve in unscrupulous behaviours are very high. This may negatively influence the field and affect the clients negatively. Health competition on the other hand ensures that businesses prosper and have room for improvement. Thus, the ethics are necessary to ensure there is orderly operation according to the objectives. It has however been established that for the ethics to be appropriately adhered to, they must be instilled in the employees at a very early stage. Similarly, the management needs to exercise ethical behaviour which the employees can emulate, rather than dictate. A well disciplined organization with morals and applied ethical behaviour undoubtedly realizes its goals with time.
Legal and Ethical Issues Facing Organizations and Management
Almost all organizations come up with strategies and rules that they deem fit for their operations. These are those that they feel will be more supportive towards the realization of their objectives. According to Craven, and Mills, (2004), “the Board of Directors has approved a Code of Business Ethics to provide a framework within which all business practices involving Lonmin must be conducted, managed and regulated.” These are entirely under the control of the company’s management, which although challenging, they must instil and uphold. However, there are some legal frameworks that describe business ethics and their application under different circumstances. These clarify on some necessary ethics that must be practised in an organization despite the variation in policies or way of operations. Some of these describe the employer employee relationships. For instance, it is legally unethical for an employer to fire a worker for whichever reason without prior notice especially on contract, thus, may be quite difficult to coexist with an incompetent employee for the purposes of respecting the contract.
Bribes as an Inducement to Buy in Business
As previously discussed, chances that a business, especially the management may engage in deceitful behaviours to compete in the global world is very high. Thus, where there are great opportunities, they may be tempted to give or accept bribes in return for the special favours. This is definitely not a fair and ethical behaviour according to any business. We realize that the role of ethics is to ensure moral standards are upheld in an organization and that they benefit both external and internal participants. In this case, bribes end up compromising the chances of other organizations to fairly participate in the market. Though the bribing party may be fully qualified, the unfair means used to reach the top of the specific business is unethical. Thus, bribery in any kind of business is unethical. This however, should not apply to management only. The junior staff should also be keen on accepting and giving bribes for favours such as quick promotion. Similarly, they should not accept the same from clients who demand special treatment in return from the junior staff. To ensure this happens, the managers should lead by example so as to instil the same values among their staff. Remuneration should also reciprocate the kind of work done so that the workers will not feel insufficiently compensated.
Importance of Ethics and Social Responsibility
According to (Koontz, and Weihrich, 2007), organizations have an obligation to the society in terms of monetary giving back and exercising ethical behaviours. Thus, it is very important that they have social responsibility and work ethics when dealing with each other and the society at large. As discussed above, the major importance of ethics is that it ensures fair and healthy competition among organizations. There will be minimal or no instances where the outcome is unfair with inability to compete on the same level with others. Besides the fairness, ethics are important because it gives the organizations a positive image where they can have good public relation skills. With a good image based on ethics, the firm is in a better position to brand itself to their advantage. Social responsibility is important because of the support that firms give to the community which in essence, is the reason behind their success. (Koontz, and Weihrich, 2007), mentioned the types of social responsibility which were ecological, technological, and economic environment. With appropriate response to the society, it is possible for organizations to rely on the support of the same group. Thus, a good relationship is developed.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, it is quite clear that the relationship between the workers and management should have a good but very professional relationship. This happens where the two parties are able to maintain morals and good company ethics when relating. Business ethics have been clearly defined as a result to ensure it is a fair market and healthy competition. With the legal frameworks put in place, the ethical standards have been observed over time and their results proven to be quite positive. It also makes perfect sense since in the absence of the regulations, it will be impossible to centrally coordinate the staff. Coordination, respect for authority and proper performance has proved to be directly proportional with proper ethics.
References:
Craven, J. & Mills, B. (2004). Code of Business Ethics. Lonmic Plc. Retrieved from http://www.lonmin.com/assets/pdf/code_of_business_ethics.pdf
Koontz, H., & Weihrich, H. (2007). Essentials of management: An international perspective. New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill.