Setefano A Malieitulua

April 25, 2015

Theatre-Film 1070
Sara Jade

I grew up in a community that had Latinos, Polynesians, African Americans, Caucasians,

Asians, and Persians. I can say, it was very versatile community. My father gave us the best
education in the Los Angeles area. During the late 1980s to the mid 1990s the best educational
institutions were Private/charter schools and Catholic schools. These schools were expensive,
they demanded a lot of time, and the education was above and beyond the public schools system.
One thing I am truly grateful for is the decision my father made to have me and my siblings all
attend Catholic schools instead of public schools. It is one of the reasons I am alive today to
share my feelings on what I would change in society today. I would begin by making a simple
change beginning with the public school system. I would begin by implementing a uniform
program starting with elementary aged children all the way through high school. By doing so,
everyone looks the same, the cost of a uniform will be the same, and every student will stay
mutual in their uniforms. The potential for gangs to form at schools is greatly reduced simply
from the clothes they are required to wear.

As a child I was required to wear a uniform in my

elementary and middle school, both were located in a city named Pacoima, which is a suburb city
25 minutes north of downtown Los Angeles. The uniforms for the females were a red/black skirt
with a white collar button down shirt to cover the shoulders. The bottoms of the skirts were
down to the knees, and the white shirts to just above the elbows covering at least the biceps. The

young boys were in blue corduroys and white button down collared shirt. The pants had to be
worn to the waist of the boys, and the shirts were tucked in and covering the biceps just above
the elbows. The shirts were an option for short or long sleeves. The shirts had to have buttons,
but another option for the young boys was polo shirt style or button down. For the foot wear,
black or brown shoes were to be worn at school every day except during Physical Education, P.E.
During P.E., only the class that was scheduled for P.E. was allowed to wear tennis shoes.
Second, the costs of the uniforms were very expensive for my parents. It was expensive
because there was a time that there were eight children going to Catholic School. The Skirts
were $25 to $30, and the pants for the boys were $20 to $30s. The shirts were usually bought at
JC Pennys or Sears. P.E. clothes were all the same for girls and boys, but the prices were
cheaper because of the different material. Jackets, sweaters, sweats, and warmer clothes were an
option. These warmer clothes were issued with the name and logo of each school. These
warmer clothes were an option, but they were pricy. Each catholic or private school followed the
same uniform program, but each school had different colors. In my area, there were four to five
uniform stores to choose from, and prices varied in the different areas. The middle class areas
did not shop in the low income areas. Of course the income families did not shop in the middle
class uniform stores.
Lastly, the uniforms kept the student of these schools mutual. I had mentioned that the
school was located in one of many low income areas of Los Angeles. The uniforms were kept
high and not so tight on the students. Cleavage, butt tight pants, portraying underpants and
sagging pants were not permitted on school grounds. The hair and skin colors were the only
difference of each student. The students were to be in full uniform, checked by teacher,
volunteers, and by the administration each day. The students were governed by a teacher,

Principal, and by a Dean of men and women. The Dean of Women was permitted to measure the
young girl skirts and the hairstyle. The Dean of Men checked the pants, shirts and hair style of
each young boy. These duties were given to the right authority, so each student would be in
proper uniform. The consequences of not meeting the proper uniform program were followed by
detention. If many warnings were issued and if the uniform program was not obeyed,
suspensions were guaranteed to follow.
I chose to focus on this topic due to a study conducted by Fresno Pacific University of
pros and cons of uniforms that claims the difference of violence in a school. Many cities have
turned over to the uniform program like Clovis and Long Beach both in California and states
such as New York, and Florida. Each of these cities and states has had high crime rates for
centuries. New York, for instance, has seen a 14.7% decrease in crime since the year 2000 due a
uniform implemented program within their school system. Schools participating in a uniform
program have made it mandatory for students to show their waist in fear of weapons being hid
inside their clothing. The study had proved that the teachers were able to manage the class, and
Administration had an easier life at the schools with students. Life was easier for teachers and
Administration because the student s changed their attitudes towards the property authority and
studies in the classrooms.
Why would I start with changing the schools to uniforms, and how much of an impact
would this be on the culture and society? I would start with the elementary schools because
elementary aged children are as young as five. Uniforms in schools will teach the children to be
obedient to authority and to be taught to follow rules. Uniforms will assist with the children to
understand rules and the consequences when these rules are broken. Many children in the low
income areas do have a problem with following rules in the school system and from higher

authority. Along with the children, low income areas in the home have the same problem with
following rules from higher authority.
Uniforms can be very expensive, but the cost of the uniforms will take away the children
from worrying of fashion and focus more with the education in the schools. The parents will not
have to worry with the childrens clothing each day because the uniforms are to be worn. The
clothing of each child, in their school, are all the same. The peer pressure and the stylish clothes
from the school yard will be decreased at the schools. The uniforms will keep bandanas and any
other types of gang affiliated clothing away from the schools. Violence from the students will
decrease and the parents will not have to worry about any gang activity on the school grounds.
Uniforms in the elementary school can help with the cliques that most kids will determine in
their group of friends. It will not diminish the cliques, but it will keep from any gang clique
activities.
I am a firm believer of implementing uniforms in the school system, beginning with
elementary grades, because I have witnessed the benefits that come with it and have seen it deter
potential problems like gangs. Like I said at the beginning of the paper, I was raised in a
neighborhood full of active gang activity and it was a normal part of my life. However, while in
school, I was taught to follow rules and to accept the consequences for my actions if I disobeyed.
In my high school years, my parents transferred me to Notre Dame High School, located in
Sherman Oaks, which is a wealthy area of Los Angeles. My school kept me alive, and I saw a
life outside of gangs. I chose to find friends with a bright future ahead of them. I learned to
make choices for my future and goals without cheating life over colors and race. In my uniform
I represented myself as a person to overcome the outside world.