A Positive Approach to the Future

A Positive Approach Towards the Future The issue of mandatory school uniforms has taken on several debates over the past decade; it is believed that this issue will plague public schools for decades to come. Students who wear uniforms feel a sense of being superior with their fellow classmates. This feeling of being part of a group boosts morale and individual confidence, thus leading to higher grades. Children will be more focused in a uniform classroom. There is no more distraction as to what the other kids are wearing or who has the name brand shoes. Girls will be dressed appropriately and clothing will fit properly. This adds to the learning experience. There is no more competition. There is no more rivalry and the children are able to focus on their schoolwork and not on the latest trends ( Bodine 67-69). Former President Clinton made a state of the union address in 1996; in that address, the subject of mandatory school uniforms was mentioned. If it means that teenagers will stop killing each other over designer jackets, then our public schools should be able to require their students to wear uniforms (Williams). In fact, that year in Long Beach, California, the first district to implement mandatory uniform policies, assault dropped by sixty-seven percent, vandalism by eighty-two percent, and robbery by thirty-five percent. Overall crime was reduced by seventy-three percent the first year the policy was in place (Williams). This was a direct reflection of the uniform policy. Students were more disciplined and behaved in a more mature manner. These students took pride in themselves and others. With the lack of material items to fight over, students no longer felt the need to use aggression towards others, proving that school uniforms do in fact improve student behavior. Also when it comes to crime, a student wearing a school logo, is less apt to commit a crime outside of school while in uniform because it would be easier to track him based off of the school information on the uniform? This lowers the crime rate for the general public as well as the in school instances. Not only do mandatory uniform policies for public schools offer the potential for higher educational benefits and improved student discipline, school uniforms dissolve social boundaries between classmates. Students are no longer judged based off their appearance but by who they are on the inside. There is no more competition between social classes that these students may have otherwise felt and they work together as a team and share a common pride. All students will feel a sense of belonging. No longer will lower income children be labeled as poor based off of their clothing. All children will appear as equals in the classroom and will be treated as such. However, some may argue that uniformity takes away from the students individuality. Many children, especially teens, express themselves through their personal styles and the way they dress. Sometimes children need to feel special or unique and dressing a certain way is how they accomplish this. Uniformity takes away from the First Amendment by taking away freedom of expression. If we take away the freedom of expression, we are taking away our childrens creativity and conforming them into a society where free thinking is not accepted. However this is not the case. The uniform does not change who the child is on the inside or how he thinks creatively. Students will still be able to focus creative energy through activities such as art, music, writing or sports. There are several creative outlets besides the choice of clothing options. When it comes to our economy, we as Americans must pinch our pennies where we can. Many parents are faced with the dilemma of outfitting their children in the latest trends or putting money towards more important things like saving for their childrens college education. Some families are unable to afford the popular named brand clothing that their children desires, which make the children, feel inadequate in school when they are forced to wear lesser brand clothes or second hand outfits. School uniforms would take away that hassle of finding bargains to ensure that their children feel confident in their attire. Uniforms are generally more durable than the average street clothes. Granted, the cost may be a bit more substantial in the beginning, but the uniforms will last longer which means there is less out of pocket expense for replacement articles. With uniforms, the parents may only have to purchase two or three sets compared to several pairs of bottoms and tops. Uniforms are more durable and can be washed more frequently compared to regular clothes. This makes them the better option not only for lower income families, but all families in general (Romero C4+). Critics claim that uniforms will cost the families more money in the long run because parents will be forced to buy the uniforms and regular clothing for their children to wear when they are not in school. The cost for parents may double that of just buying traditional school clothes. Although this is partly true, that yes, parents will be faced to make additional purchases for their children, in reality, they really wont be spending that much more money if any. Since uniforms are more durable, the parents only need to buy a limited supply and since the children will only be wearing their regular clothes outside of school, parents will not have to buy as many outfits. Most children wear out their clothes while in school. Since this is not an issue with the uniforms, the traditional street clothes will last longer, hence saving the parents money in the long run. Also without the constant competition in schools, children may not feel the need to have the latest brands and styles as they would if they were wearing the clothes to school on a daily basis around other social classes (King 3-5). With all of the advantages and disadvantages of implementing mandatory uniform wear into our public schools, there needs to be a compromise. Some schools have decided that it is best to make minor changes to the dress code policy. When it comes to school uniforms, there is a never-ending debate as to what the right approach and the wrong approach may be for our public schools. Works Cited Bodine,A.. aâ‚ ¬? School uniforms, academic achievement, and uses of researchaâ‚ ¬?. The Journal ofEducational Research 19 Feb. 2008: 67-73. Print. King, K. A. Should school uniforms be mandated in elementary school?. 2010: 3+. Print. Romero, E. aâ‚ ¬? School uniform countdownaâ‚ ¬?. Daily News Record, 16 Aug. 1999, C2+. Print. Williams, D. aâ‚ ¬? School uniforms: The raging debateaâ‚ ¬?. n. d. Web. 5 Aug. 2011.

French and Industrial revolutions effect on Europe Essay

French and Industrial revolutions effect on Europe - Essay Example Unlike realism supporters, liberalists viewed morality as a global responsibility rather than acting to secure ones state only. As matter of fact, liberalists argue the world was in war due to states preparation for war. Liberalism can be marked as making a significant impact in the European region in late 19th century and early 20th century. Liberalist advocated for the free trade, minimal tariffs and strong constitutions while undermining the importance of unions. Socialism came to counter the arguments made by liberalists. In an effort to reduce the inequality gap, socialists advocated for revolutionary measures to bring equality between capitalists and labourers. This ideology called for a strong government, restricted international trade and protection to workers. In a nutshell socialism called for redistribution of resources in favour of the workers, who happened to be humiliated by the free- market economy. Some scholars still noted the success of previous political systems and thus came up with conservatism. Conservatisms encouraged the preservation of the successful historical modes of government. To them, change in political administrations ought to be gradual rather than revolutionary. Realism ideology supported authoritative governance. Factually, realism refers to the doctrine of perceiving thoughts as true and real. As mentioned earlier, morality was viewed as the aspect of supporting ones state, and being loyal to the readers. Realism was based on the fact that individuals are generally rude and generally provoke chaos and thus being mandated by the government was the only remedy to

Racism and Society Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Racism and Society - Essay Example It should be stated that racial categories are variable and mostly depend on the meanings inserted by contemporaries. According to some scholars, it is wrong to consider the concept of race politically neutral. It always contain, even if just implicitly, the idea of conflict of interests. Omi and Winant state "race is a concept, which signifies and symbolizes social conflicts and interests, by referring to different types of human bodies" (55). Some sociologists state that the notion of race has always been filled with some socio-cultural meaning, demonstrating an attitude towards 'aliens' expressed through the emphasizing of their most observable physical differences. In other words, sociologists consider that physical marks reflect not the objective reality, but subjective attitude. According to Robert Park (237-239, 315), a racial mark has become the symbol of the suspense, in the ground of which has laid the sense of self-vulnerability. He writes that a sociologist is interested not in physical distinctions, differentiating one race from another, but in less evident lineaments of inner apprehensions. And physical distinctions are just the symbols of these inner apprehensions. Park claims that historical process in the issue is predetermined by the ideological factors, not by the biological ones. The more important is to realize what people believe in and look for, than to know who they are.In other words modern sociolo gists, considering race as an artificial construct and one of means of creation and description the identity, emphasize that race remains to be rather important notion, which determines and legalizes social and political actions of people. At the same time they are sure that race is a product of racism, and not contrariwise. From this point of view groups, which are called racial, turn out to be 'racialised'. It means that social, political, or economical state of these groups is described with the help of racial categories.A lot of scholars for decades have oppugned against scientific racism, which has tried to ground the idea of racial inequality. They have proved that human capabilities do not depend on the color of the skin or type of eyes. One of the most outstanding representatives of this stream is Ashley Montague, who from 1940s has insisted that race is just a scientific phantom.However a lot of scholars as before consider race and ethnos as some biological reality, underes timating the paramount role of social factor. "While racism is necessarily rooted in biology, ethnocentrism is typically rooted in culture," says D'Souza (33). Nonetheless most of scholars have understood that race is rather social construct then the biological reality, and that the concept of race implicates relationship of dominance and submission. Does racism still exist It should be said that it is rather difficult to define the notion of racism. In fact this concept has an extraordinary ability to mimicry, changing itself in accordance with the circumstances. Besides

Response Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 39

Response - Essay Example There is clearly scanty investigation leading to insufficient evidence to incarcerate the two friends of Absalom. The case should have been adjourned. If justice was to prevail, the judge should have adjourned the case until adequate investigation is done and plenty of evidence is brought forth to aid in just and informed judgment. The judge’s law lecture was to expose unjust legal system, which works to oppress a section of the society. Though sympathetic with Absalom, the judge is imprisoned by the unjust legal system in his decision making. By â€Å"going into a community," Msimangu meant joining the church and becoming a monk. He is doing this to spread the gospel of love amidst injustices facing black South Africans, which can only be triumphed by selfless love. Kumalos emotional reaction to seeing his brother is show forgiveness. Kumalo call Msimangu "Friend of friends" because of the latter’s decision to join the church, which is a home for Kumalo. It is a welcome expression to Msimangu. In book III, Kumalo is healed form grief caused by land and family. When rains end drought and Kumalo receives Absalom’s letter, happiness creeps in from land and family easing Kumalo’s grief. Arthur’s son unites separate worlds leading to reconciliation between whites and blacks. Msimangu gives up worldly possessions, which is an indication of

Policy Change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Policy Change - Essay Example Thus, this essay will argue that ideas affect policy change only indirectly, as paradigms frames and determinants of interest, such that its importance in understanding policy change is only secondary to other approaches. To better understand the importance of a study of ideas in policy change, it is first necessary to understand what ideas are. Ideas are shared beliefs held by individuals. However, a distinction must be made between two categories of shared beliefs, particularly "consensual beliefs" and "economic ideas", where although not mutually exclusive differ in their relation to policy. As Jacobsen explains, the difference lies between those of "means" to "ends", where consensual beliefs "shape the legitimate ends of economic activity"; economic ideas are the means to reach these ends. 3 Taking this definition of ideas, the importance of a study of ideas in policy change can be summarised in their roles as paradigms, roadmaps, or ideational frames. Comparing policy change to scientific revolutions, Hall (1989) places emphasis on the role of ideas through "policy paradigms", or "roadmaps" as Goldstein and Keohane (1993) calls them, where ideas guide policies by determining the "tracks" of policymaking and setting constraints in the policy process4. As Hall argues, policy paradigms, determine policy change in acting as "a framework that specifies the goals of policy and the kind of instruments that can be used to attain them", as well as the "nature of the problems they are meant to be addressing."5 Campbell's (1998) and Beland's (2005) ideational frames or programmes also echoes Hall's concept of paradigms, varying only in the manner that ideas are presented and implemented in the policy process. Within this strand of literature, the failures of policies to achieve economic goals are seen as the impetus for policymakers to search for alternative ideas that pave the way for new policy paradigms to be accepted. Hence, in times of uncertainty marked with "exogenous shocks, demographic changes [or] the perception of failed policy", new ideas emerge as either roadmaps or focal points that reduce uncertainty and provide alternatives.6 The policy shift during the first Thatcher government can therefore be explained as the result of a shift in policy paradigms; replacing Keynesian ideas with monetarist ideas (Hall, 1993). Looking at the first Thatcher government, it is evident that the policy shift coincided with an ideational shift from Keynesian to monetarist where Keynesian policies were perceived to have failed in resolving rising inflation (Walsh, 2000). In this respect,

Summary Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 51

Summary - Assignment Example Further, the firm has established a team of caring and genuine people, which contributes in winning trust from its clients. This aids in ensuring that the firm does not face challenges in conducting its business activities. These persons also have the essential skills and knowledge to ensure that they have the ability to deliver the best results as expected. Moreover, the firm embraces the concepts of effective communication. This ensures that there is a two way channel of interaction in terms of winning trust and communicating effectively. The communication strategy, which is adopted by the firm, ensures that customers get satisfied with the information they get. It is this communication strategy that supports effective interaction through the social media where individuals can gain immediate feedback on their queries. Moreover, the communication strategy eliminates issues of delay and client dissatisfaction, which may have negative impacts on the business activities of the

Cultural Event Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 28

Cultural Event Report - Essay Example Buell theatre was full of all sorts of personality where in attendance including Senator Nancy Todd hence government was fully represented. The Shen Yun festival was all about Chinese culture and music. The set up was amazing it was like being on avatar movie (Fritsch 17). The Shun Yun performances are arts and entertainment based on the 5000 years of Chinese culture it’s a series of events including music and dances about China and the impact and its revolution. The dances express history and past ways of life .the revolution also is expressed. The orchestra is conducted by Antonia Joy-Wilson. While the dances vary from classical dances to story based. Animations are also included in portraying the full message of Chinese culture. Performances began at 8:00 am. First to perform were a group of Chinese ladies approximately sixty dancers. They performed a classical dance, there costumes were superb silk clothing and ribbons with bright colors there dresses where red white and green. The dance involved turns, leaping air flips spins and side ways movements in a well choreographed pattern. What followed was a group of other female dancers with white attires and pink ribbons was like the first dance involved less dancers but very colorful. The third dance was story based performed by male dancers , it portrayed one general who was heading to war while a woman probably his wife or mother holding his right hand while fighting with his left hand. All dancers were dress in brown attire except the woman who is in red one (Fritsch 109). Most are dressed like accident combat men. Then it followed a performance of ancient drums. The artists where dressed in orange tops, black boots and white trousers, the performed differ ent arts. Each rhythm came about with changes in the background representing the Chinese landscapes, buildings and different cultures. It showed the transformation of china over the