Should students be required to dress out in a standard uniform for physical education?

Publication: JOPERD--The

Journal of Physical Education, Format: Online - approximately Recreation & Dance 2112 words Publication Date: 01-APR-05 Delivery: Immediate Online Access Full Article Title: Should students be required to dress out in a standard uniform for physical education?(Issues)

Article Excerpt I see no connection between a physical education uniform and performance in the gym. There is little evidence that could convince me that wearing a uniform makes students perform better, improves their use of strategy, or raises their level of interest in lifelong physical activity. The disciplinary benefit of a uniform does not outweigh the value of allowing students the chance to be themselves. Do not permit uniforms to become a roadblock to enhancing the physical activity level of students. The idea of requiring a physical education uniform may conflict with two of the NASPE standards. Standard five deals with responsible personal and social behavior that respects one's self and others in physical activity settings. Why not let students "practice" responsible behavior by allowing them to choose appropriate attire for class? Standard six focuses on students valuing physical activity. One way to diminish a student's ability to value something is to tack on needless rules and regulations; this could reduce their enjoyment of an activity. I question whether or not teachers would be willing to wear a teaching uniform. Why would teachers want to require that their students adhere to a rule that the teachers themselves would not want to follow? --Dennis Docheff, associate professor, Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, MO. In my visits to local high schools, I have found that students in physical education classes are rarely required to dress in a "standard uniform." It is important to have uniforms for all students in physical education in order to create a structured and disciplined environment conducive to motor learning. In order to truly benefit from any form of physical activity, one must be properly attired. Therefore, requiring students to dress out in a standard uniform is a necessity. --Robert Wilson, III, chairman, Health and Physical Education Department, Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA. I feel strongly that no student should be required to dress out in a standard uniform for physical education. I teach in a school where many families struggle to meet their children's basic needs; it would be unthinkable if my school were to require parents to purchase uniforms in order for their children to participate in physical education. Physical educators are trying to promote physical activity at a time when childhood obesity is on the rise. If a student does not have a uniform for physical education, should we not let them participate? No: if a student has athletic shoes, that should be sufficient. Let us promote active lifestyles and individual differences, not discourage students from participating in physical education simply due to the lack of a uniform. --Scott Chandler, physical education teacher, Roxbury Elementary School, Stamford, CT. If the school is willing to provide the uniforms for every student in physical education class, whether they fork over the money or get it from a local business, then the students should be required to wear a standard uniform. This would give the students no excuse for not dressing out in physical education class. Not needing to bring clothes every day would most likely increase participation from the students and reduce the hassle for the teacher, who otherwise has to constantly remind students to bring proper workout attire. The school would also have to launder the uniforms as well, which I think helps in the overall hygiene of the physical education students. Most students just throw their stinky clothes in a locker and don't take them home until the end of the week. This creates a hygiene issue. The benefits from dressing out in a school issued, standard uniform are

better hygiene, more participation, and less stress on the teachers. Who wouldn't want to put that into effect? --Matt Friesner, student, Capital University, Columbus, OH. I feel that students should not be required to dress out in a standard uniform. Dressing out takes away from educational learning time, is psychologically detrimental, and is not cost efficient. On average, it takes a student five to ten minutes to dress out, which is time that could be spent being active. In schools that require dressing out, the majority of discipline problems occur in the dressing room, not during instructional time. Due to different rates of development, students are often made fun of while dressing out. This is often psychologically damaging and causes the student to withdraw, preventing the student from participating in lifetime fitness. Also, uniforms are costly. Most schools do not have the money to provide students with standard uniforms, and not all parents can afford a uniform. Not dressing out is cost efficient for both parties. --Andres Gordon, graduate student, Delta State University, Cleveland, MS. Students should not be required to dress out in a standard uniform for physical education class. Individuals have their own preferences about what clothes they feel most comfortable in. It is important that students feel at ease in the learning environment. As long as students are continually dressing out for class in clothes that are in accordance with the school dress code, I do not see a problem. --Pat Cunningham, undergraduate student, Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, MO. Many who oppose uniforms claim that changing clothing wastes too much class time, while advocates of uniforms claim that they allow the students to participate in physical activity more comfortably. From my experience, uniforms would save class time and make students more comfortable. I am currently teaching a fitness unit, and my students come to class dressed for the cold weather, not to participate in physical activity. Much class time is wasted waiting for students, at different intervals throughout class, to remove their jackets and warm layers. This time could be saved if students spent the first five minutes of class changing into weather-appropriate uniforms. Also, my students are sweating after our warm-up and continue to perspire until the end of the lesson. Uniforms would allow my students to participate comfortably, and I believe they are a necessity. --Gavin Colquitt, student, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA. As a student, I enjoyed the luxury of being able to wear whatever I chose in class. I was allowed to be an individual and express myself through the clothing I wore. Forcing a uniform on someone who does not want to wear one takes away one of the few freedoms students still have in today's school system. Each student has his or her...