The planner is an educational discourse focused on student attire. This dress code is discussed among students, parents, administrators, and teachers. All of these individuals play an important role in the effectiveness of this policy. The Planner is also a political discourse argued by government officials. In order to get the high school dress code approved, it had to go through legislative process in order to determine its constitutionality.

Relating to Chapter 42?"The Children?s Story"?the teacher in the story is trying to get uniformity in the classroom by changing the students? beliefs. In a way, the high school is trying to do the same thing by offering consequences to the students. The students have to abide by the dress code or they?ll pay for their actions, so they just do as they?re told. They?re being manipulated into doing what they?d rather not do. With the kids in "The Children?s Story," they?re being brainwashed and manipulated into doing things they normally wouldn?t do, but do anyways because that?s what they know as the "norm".

The issue of school uniforms is one that can be placed in a few discourses. Education is a topic that is discussed politically. There are many people who are involved in making the decisions about what is best for the schools and this can get very political. "The decision whether to adopt a uniform policy is made by states, local school districts, and schools" (Department of Education). School uniforms is also an economic issue. Parents are especially the ones who are concerned about the cost of uniforms. For some disadvantaged parents, uniforms can be costly and it is up to the school to help these unfortunate families.

There were several specific concepts from our class that were found within this article. First off was the issue of social class. "When Americans speak of social class, they are usually referring to a person?s income" (Abowitz and Rousmaniere, p.13). The issue of social class comes into play because anyone despite their income is allowed to go to public school. This means that people of different social classes will end up attending the same school. When looking at the issue of implementing school uniforms, it might be difficult for some parents to afford them. This is one problem that the schools have to figure out before forcing uniforms on their students. Another concept from class that was discussed was the concept of ritual. "Ritual can be understood to be frequently or regularly repeated stereotyped gestures" (Abowitz and Rousmaniere, p.25). Wearing school uniforms would become another ritual that the students would partake in daily. "Through the participation in this ritual, participants affirm and reaffirm solidarity to the rest of the group" (Abowitz and Rousmaniere, p.25). A third concept from class that is part of the school uniform issue is the concept of cultural diversity. By wearing uniforms, all of the students would be in the same clothes no matter what their ethnic background is. This would force the students to conform to their particular school and possibly lose a sense of their cultural heritage.

The authors are very perceptive and ask a great deal of questions about the effectiveness of uniforms throughout the text. Paliokas and Rist created this article or text to make others really think and also question themselves the reality of school violence in relation to uniforms or a mandatory dress code. One can understand this text through class because people sometimes think that public schools have less money than private or parochial and are more likely to have violence in their school systems. This is true for some inner city public schools. The authors even state "the perception of Catholic schools is that they are safe, secure, and orderly learning environments." However, there is no evidence based on race, sexual orientation or gender. An example of a wider social context is the effectiveness of private/parochial schools versus public schools in regards to violence. The article brings up Catholic schools and how they seem like perfect learning facilities for students without violence.

There are a few instances of power dynamics depicted throughout the text as well. One dynamic expressed is that school violence can be cured through a uniform policy. The idea is that if students wear them, there will not be any problems with violence. Another example of power dynamics states that uniforms take away free-expression rights. Students cannot be themselves or make their own decisions, but are forced to abide by rules that limit their individuality. Lastly, school officials have power over the students to make them conform to a mandatory policy of school uniforms.

In terms of discourses, there are educational and political views promoting both sides of effectiveness towards school uniforms relating to violence and the authors? message. This article can be used as a teaching aide or resource about other factors that might reduce school violence and the thought process that should go into adopting a school uniform policy. Mandatory dress codes in schools has in the past and will continue to be an argued topic within public school districts, parents and political figures.

Consequently there are several connections with the text and concepts discussed in class. During discussion, we talked about socialization and social solidarity. Uniforms are examples of this because if all the students dress alike or distinctly similar, they lose their identity. However, they are also seen as apart of group. Some students might like this idea where others like expressing their individuality in the clothing that they wear. In addition, we reviewed the construction of social categorization and class where each social class looks down upon the one below to feel superior or above someone else. This article somewhat places public against private or parochial based on income and the amount of violence that is seen within the schools. If we placed this text or article outside of its usual school context, and instead placed it within a business atmosphere, it would not be very effective. Most business professionals are required to wear nice dress clothes, but are not forced to wear the exact same outfits. Businesses and corporations also usually do not have the same problems with violence that schools experience. They do not have to worry about the effects of uniforms and whether or not they will reduce violence.