I have to say I’m really disturbed by the fear I feel radiating from many of the proponents of Standard School Attire. I’m a glass-half-full kind of girl in general, so I’m more than mystified by folks who believe:
* Making kids dress alike will make them act right
* Making kids dress alike will stop bullying and teasing
* Making kids dress alike will make them focus on their studies
There’s simply no evidence to hold up any of those assertions. None. Worse, the vast majority of children in our public schools already act right, don’t bully and focus on their studies. Why on earth would we implement a policy that will affect them and will have no effect on students with negative behaviors and attitudes?
There are a number of surveys demonstrating that parents or school administrators prefer that children dress alike, because it gives the right impression. Hey, if there’s something to stop a teenager from joining a gang, I’m all for it. But I suspect there we’ll have to get into root causes — not how they dress.
Y’all, children’s brains are working from the moment they’re born. My 7yo understands fully [without my explaining a thing--I have tried really hard not to discuss SSA with her much at all] that the clothes are a shell and have nothing to do with the person inside.
This is what I love: When SSA proponents say, Since that’s true, let’s have them all dress the same.
No. No. No.
Children are people with human rights from the moment they’re born. They certainly must learn, and must be taught, many things as they grow. But when adults bully and exert undue influence — children must follow the rules because those are the rules! because we say so! — over the lives of children, instead of acting as gentle guides, kids see right through that. I would posit that children raised in such circumstances are more likely to look around for someone they can bully in return. But hey, that’s just my feeling.
I will therefore fall back to the evidence, which proves that SSA has no demonstrable effect on positive school outcomes. Therefore, it’s a waste of time for our schools to consider or implement. Let’s talk about real issues that can improve student achievement and the future of our society.
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