Social issue: W. Australia bans jeans in schools

[pacioli]

This is for those who care about non-crisis, international social issues. Don't flame me...

W. Australia: Toss Your Jeans or Drop Out of School

Just stumbled upon an article that may burst your veins. I AM SHAKING WITH DISBELIEF.

"

CANBERRA (Reuters) - An Australian state plans to ban students from wearing denim because it is linked with having a good time.

'It is associated with weekend wear, with recreational time. It's just unacceptable at schools and we are trying to lift the standards,' a spokesman for Western Australia state Education Minister Ljiljanna Ravlich said.

The ban on denim in Western Australia's secondary schools will be imposed from 2007.

"

This ban is establishing a state-imposed-norm: schools cannot be associated with having a good time.

Passionate educators are trying everything in their abilities to make learning fun for students. School administrators in the U.S. host dances, shows, talks, plays, have year books--all in the hope of making the learning experience a positively memorable one. This plan counters those efforts and may only create student contempt for education as an institution.

This restriction is to be imposed on the students during a crucial stage in their lives. It is during this period that they consider the very real possibility of eventually dropping out of school. To take away any of the small liberties they enjoy, albeit trivial to those looking from the otherside of the school fence (can you remember?), can be dangerous.

And yes, fashion choice is a liberty that citizens of free nations possess.

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Any thoughts?

[triniboy27]

Personally, I'm one who's all for uniforms.

Growing up where I did (in Trinidad), everyone (regardless of what school you went to) had to wear a uniform. At the time, I thought it was a major bummer but as I've grown older, I understand the reasoning behind it in that with a uniform, everyone's on a level playing field. Noone has a better shirt or a better pair of jeans than anyone else.

Sure it might be cool to rock your Diesels or Calvins (or whatever the hell was in style 15 years ago) but I'd hate to imagine how it must feel for the kids whose parents couldn't afford nice jeans for them to have that rubbed in your face everday.

It's the great equalizer (except for kicks though..ppl still flaunted their $$$ through that)

As for the whole fun thing...I'm of two minds about this..while school should be fun, at the same time, you're there to learn..not party or chill.

Damn, I just re-read what I wrote and I sound like an old man, but whatever...

[M.O.A]

its okay,i got what you ment

F**K HYPE

solecollector.com

getlifted.net

overstand.net

[wild_whiskey]

I am of the school of thought that school is there just as much to party / chill as it is to learn. You need to be educated about people and society just as much as you need to be educated about literature and math.

As for the idea that some people have more expensive jeans or shirts and should you have to deal with it... welcome to the real world man.

[pacioli]

Regarding uniforms-- the argument for uniforms does not support banning denim at secondary schools. Denim itself does not violate school rules, like ultra mini skirts may. Their argument against denim is that the fabric is loosely (IMO) associated with recreation. That's funny considering denim is the worker's fabric of choice!

Nor does this have anything to do with expensive clothing widening the social class divide. If that was the reason then nice watches, expensive shirts, many North Face backpacks, expensive sneakers, silk, etc could very well be banned as well.

This is just an egregious case of idiotic policy making.

Edit: BTW, wild_whiskey, I wholeheartedly agree with your statement.

Edited by pacioli on Feb 9, 2006 at 02:03 PM

[triniboy27]

If the rule was based primarily on the fabric, then yes, I agree it's idiotic.

I'm still sticking with my opinion on uniforms though..chilling and partying are indeed part of an education but can't that be done after school hours? And God knows they're going to be doing enough of that when they get to university...at least they could learn to read and write properly (http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/living/education/higher_learning/13668341.htm )

As for the whole real word comment and the disparity between people's economic statuses, yes that's pretty evident in the real world but at the same time, it's no excuse to facilitate an environment where the disparity is so obvious. Kids will always know who the rich kids are, whether it be by the cars they drive, watches they wear, etc but for the most part, some of those things are discretionary items. I think a lot of us (gross generalization here) tend to judge ppl by their appearance and having a uniform tends to level the playing field a bit.

I'll give you an example: this one kid in my class wasn't well off at all, so much so that he could only afford 2 uniform shirts for the week whereas most ppl had 5 minimum (at least one for each day of the week) - so he'd have to wash those shirts and rewear them twice a week. While I know this because I knew him, not everyone else did - but imagine if he had to go out and buy casual clothing for school? Sure it's cool to wear the same pair of raw jeans for months on end without washing, but some of us here wear a tshirt and wouldn't think of wearing it again for another month because we have so much selection - what if we didn't? Imagine the horror (sarcasm) of seeing the same ppl everyday and they recognizing that you're wearing the same outfit you did 2 days ago.

I didn't mean to go off on a rant here but sometimes I feel we're very lucky to have the money we spend on the clothing we do and we forget that while there are a lot of ppl out there who don't care so much about their appearance, there's a lot who do, but can't afford to do anything about it.

[pacioli]

I understand...but back to the point about denim.

WTF WTF. Does not wearing denim make one a more focused student?

[SoloC]

I think they should just ban all casaul wear once and for all. Blaming jeans bring joys in school is just dumb. I used to wear uniform in HK too. Many school in Hong Kong even have rules on accessories like no expensive watches, bags, shocks have to be one color not too long or short. No hair dying or long hair covering ears. However, all that makes sense. If the school allow casaul wear than don't blame just jeans.

[keyko]

I am also pro-uniform for school. from the parent's point, there is much less pressure on the kid in school to comply with whatshot, the kid is less preoccupied with looks, and it is much easier on the wallet for parents - even not filthy rich could buy, say, a nicer watch to the kid not having to buy the next coolest tee every week.

However, as to the ban of jeans, i think the prime target of the ban are school rebels and the rebellious spirit associated with jeans, perhaps the hip-hop and indie rock crowd, but it will only cause more kids feeling resentment to education and school for limiting their legitimate choice of outfit.

The point is, it should be either uniform or total freedom in outfit (provocative clothes aside).

Alien vs Predator, Freddie vs Jason, Nudie vs A.P.C.

[lyingonyourdriveway]

who is still in highschool here? like 1%

[nemoulette]

Another bunch of ignorant bullshit about your children: school uniforms. Bad theory! The idea that if kids wear uniforms to school, it helps keep order. Hey! Don't these schools do enough damage makin' all these children think alike? Now they're gonna get 'em to look alike, too?

And it's not even a new idea; I first saw it in old newsreels from the 1930's, but it was hard to understand, because the narration was in German! But the uniforms looked beautiful. And the children did everything they were told and never questioned authority. Gee, I wonder why someone would want to put our children in uniforms. Can't imagine.

School uniforms breeds conformity. It's super dumb, and will not ever take away class differences or bullying. Get over it.