Catherine, I really enjoyed reading your post. I thought it was very intriguing because the media often does not tell the truth to their audience. They put false information out there and no one really knows what is the truth because there are so many lies out there. Honestly, I have a fear of sharks due to the movies and information I have learned in the past, but in reality they are the ones who are scared of us. I think we need to start putting the truth out there rather than old or fake news. Here is an article about fake news that I think would be a big help: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/13/upshot/fake-news-and-bots-may-be-worrisome-but-their-political-power-is-overblown.html

Catherine, your post was fascinating and I loved all the examples you included. I certainly agree with you that what people see in the media greatly affects their views of the world around them. And I also agree that for the majority of the time, those views are stemmed from fear into something negative. I found a really interesting article that is similar to your post that you might enjoy reading: https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/features/why-were-living-in-the-age-of-fear-w443554

Catherine, this is a great topic. The fear of the unknown is one that’s hard to pin down. Some of the articles I’ve briefly looked at pointed to xenophobia, but I personally don’t think that captures it fully. Sure it’s an irrational dislike and fear of something we don’t know, but I feel like that falls from ignorance. You yourself state that you know the likelihood of you being bitten let alone killed are ridiculously low, next to guaranteeing your safety, yet you still don’t wade into the ocean. Could it stem from you watching Jaws as a young child? Shark Week? Of course, no one likes to be pegged as a xenophobe since the connotation is fear towards those from other countries, while the word itself stems beyond that.

Hi Catherine-
I have attended private school for thirteen years now and with that I have worn plaid skirts, khaki shorts, and polo shirts for the same amount of time. I have not had the luxury to experience a life not in uniform, however I have always wondered how different it would be. To this day, I envy people who are able to express themselves through their clothing at school and learn in comfort. With all angst aside, I have found my Catholic School uniform to be (at times) unbearable. From a woman’s perspective, our body’s are always changing size/shape/etc; and the confinement of cardboard textured shorts makes learning uncomfortable. I’m not saying that uniforms should be done away with, but I do think that the style and even material should be made more flexible for the individual. To answer your question, no. I do not think that uniforms should be standard in schools. While there are pro’s there are also cons, and it seems that the cons outweigh the pros. I could ramble on and on about this argument, but I think that you ultimately presented it well. If you want to read about it anymore I found this article interesting https://www.motherhoodthetruth.com/school-uniforms-destroying-body-image/

Catherine, I really like your interest in this topic. I think it’s important students be happy with everything about themselves at school, especially the way they look. I’ve also gone to a private school my whole life. In elementary school my uniform was strict and closely monitored by everyone. I don’t remember hating it too much, except for when my teachers thought I was wearing makeup and would make me go wash it off. This made me really upset because I never broke that code and I almost felt as if I was being bullied. In high school that all changed because at Judge we had a lot more freedom in the uniforms. I couldn’t imagine what school would be like if I had to chose and outfit every single day. However I agree that students should be able to express themselves in anyway they chose. I don’t mean ill fitted clothing and suggestive quotes on shirts. I just think it’s important that kids learn to be themselves because as we get older, it’s important we know exactly who we are, even if it is just in the things we wear. I guess my ultimate question after reading this is with our ever growing and changing society do you think schools will eventually take these complaints into consideration and allow students everywhere to wear what they want, even Judge?

Catherine,
I haven’t ever had to wear a uniform in school but my sister did for a time, she absolutely hated it and felt as you do about them being uncomfortable and not being able to express yourself. I agree that students in uniforms are more likely to be violent because I feel that they would feel oppressed and be more prone to rebelling and that if students had more freedom ( to dress for example) they wouldn’t be provoked into rebellious behaviour.

Catherine,
I never have wore a uniform but do understand how it is going to a school where not everyone can afford nice clothes. The poverty rate in America is extremely high and in private school most children are not in the poverty. I believe that school uniforms are a great idea. There are people who do not have hip clothes or top brands. If there were uniforms everyone would look the same and not feel ashamed or stand out. Also it would take away dress code issues or distractions in school. I know this is my own opinion and I respect yours and the research you have done. Well done and your argument is valid and well written.