School uniforms are very popular here. Listen to two students argue about their benefits and drawbacks. Find out if perceptions are changing among young people.
ref Pod2Per3GrpBUniforms
Script
N: As you know, in Japan, many junior high and high schools adopt a school uniform system. Even public schools do. It’s very unique compared to many other countries, where in public schools students can wear any clothes they like. I wonder why school uniform is so popular in Japan. So today, we invite two high school students to this studio, and I’d like these two students to talk about this topic. The guests are Hanako and Taro.
First, I want to know how you think about your uniforms, Hanako?
H: I wear a uniform combining a sailor-style top, a pleated skirt and short white socks. They are cute, but not functional. I mean… they are not easy to put on or take off. Also, keeping them tidy requires much care.
N:Thank you, Hanako. How about you Taro?
T: I wear a uniform, called “Gakuran” whose top has a stand-up collar. The top and pants are both black. I like it because I don’t need to choose clothes every morning. But it sometimes limits our free movement. We can’t play basketball with that uniform!
N: Uniforms seem to have merits and also demerits. Then why do you think school uniforms are so popular?
H: Oh, I think that’s just because schools follow an old fashion. I don’t think the uniforms are necessarily needed. Every morning teachers check whether our uniforms are tidy. We can’t shorten our skirt or wear knee socks. We aren’t allowed to remodel our uniforms. In order to cultivate individuality, school uniforms should be abolished.
T: You think so? But teachers force us to wear school uniforms tidily because they want to teach us morals. Schools are for study, and uniforms are also a part of educational system. I heard that originally, school uniforms were adopted in order to abolish discrimination in clothes between students. You see, clothes sometimes reflect the gap in the students’ families’ income. What’s more, school uniforms help teachers make students learn to fit into society.
N: Well… to abolish discrimination is of course important, but how do the uniforms help teachers in that way?
T: It is said that untidiness of the uniforms shows students’ untidiness in studying. Neat uniforms mean that they follow school rules. The attitude of observing rules is required after they start working.
H; Do you think school uniforms are the only way to teach students such an attitude?
T: I don’t think it is the only way. But I think uniforms are very effective in that way.
H; Why do you think so?
T: If uniforms are adopted, there is little need of taking trouble to take time off in order to teach students that attitude. Students can study more in that spare time.
H; …OK, I see. Thinking twice, we can wear any clothes we like in holidays and after graduating from schools. Considering that, school uniforms may be useful in a sense.
N: Thank you for your ideas. Now I see the importance of school uniforms in learning how to fit into society. In other words, school uniforms help students preparing to become working members of society. That corresponds to why schools exist. So now I can safely say school uniforms take an important role in education.
Thank you again to these two speakers and you! Listeners.
Next week, we’d like to talk about Entrance Examination. See you next week, Bye.