

Voice of the People

May 8, 2012  |  Comments

We need to get rid of public school uniforms

Self-mutiliation is yet another problem that has greatly increased since our schools started punishing students for not wearing uniforms. Is it really only coincidence that such problems as bullying, vandalism and self-mutilation have skyrocketed since the implementation of the mandatory school uniform policy?

It is obvious that safety, school pride and individual responsibility have greatly decreased in Guam public schools since the implementation of mandatory school uniforms 10 years ago. To this we can now add self-esteem and self-respect. I put the blame directly on the mandatory school uniform policy ... it robs children of their individuality.

Mandatory school uniforms are based the superstition that they promote order and discipline. The facts show they actually work against school order and discipline because when children are not individually dressed, they cannot be easily identified. Imagine you are a teacher and you see a kid in the distance throwing rocks. If individually dressed, he can be identified by his clothing and easily apprehended. If he is dressed the same as others he cannot be easily identified.

Kids soon discover this and with the "herd mentality" identical dress fosters, hooliganism and disorder increase. This exact situation occurred at F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School not long ago.

School uniforms also increase the natural tendency of children to bully each other. The lesson children learn from mandatory uniforms is this: You will be punished if you are different ... and they proceed to enforce this on their own.

When students lose their individual identity in a large public institution, they lose their sense of individual responsibility and so overall academic achievement declines. This too has happened here in Guam.

The school uniform superstition is damaging in other ways. It creates a penal and punitive atmosphere that fosters rebellion. The arguments for mandatory school uniforms could be used to argue that we should all attend the same church, belong to the same political party and read the same newspapers. These arguments are based on false assumptions that run contrary to traditional American philosophy.

I propose we return to the traditional values of American education in Guam public schools and see if self-mutilation, bullying, vandalism and violence decline and safety, school pride, self-respect and individual responsibility increase.


Hwaeson, Korea

We must treat our visitors like family

Embarrassed. That's how I felt after reading the online news update about the registered sex offender who allegedly sexually assaulted two tourists while working as a tour guide.

How can Guam proudly showcase itself when something like this happens?

It's not enough to offer sun, sand, blue waters, and shopping. The people who interact with visitors must be sincere examples of the true island spirit.

When Guamanians open their homes to visitors, we make sure that they are taken care of, given refreshments and treated like family.

Former residents long to return to Guam. When they do return for a visit, they enjoy everything Guam has to offer: great food, beautiful surroundings, family and friends.

If the island's visitors can feel that longing for Guam, that would spell success for the tourism industry. This is an important goal to consider in marketing the island to world travelers.

Wang Xinjun, founder of Ivy Alliance Consulting, told CNNGo Shanghai Editor Tracy You that Guam could be the new hot spot for Chinese tourists because they "love island getaways." (from "Demystifying the Chinese traveler," March 20, 2012).

As Guam joins other destinations in courting Chinese travelers, anyone who works in the tourism industry needs to make sure visitors experience the best of Guam.

It's not enough to treat visitors as guests. Visitors must be treated like family.


Hope Mills, N.C.

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