Body piercing in schools

[Racket_Man]

again with the schools rules

School has a RULE of no body piercing. Girl has a SMALL "religious" (federally recognised at that) nose piercing. school gets bent out of shape.

http://www.parentdish.com/2010/09/13..._lnk3%7C170682

article contains both (borders on extream) pro and con arguements

[blas87]

I had my navel pierced when I was 17, a senior. Granted, no one could see that because my shirts covered that up.

I'm a little old fashioned, I don't see why guys get their ears pierced.

There's one thing I cannot stand, that's gauging of the ears, those enormous holes are so gross.

As for nose piercings, those tiny little studs are not a huge deal for me. I wouldn't be getting all up in arms over it.

[Greenday]

Well, the rule is stupid in itself. I could understand if it was a catholic school or a private school, but this is a public school. Religion aside, the rule just has no purpose.

[HYHYBT]

Can anyone come up with a LEGITIMATE reason the school would even care whether students have piercings or not? That it wound up in the dress code in the first place is, to my mind, a disgraceful example of unnecessary interference.

[Greenday]

It's "distracting"?
It lets people be different opening up more room for bullying? Wait no, piercing make u da kewlest!

[MrsEclipse]

If you force me to go to this school and no other, you do not dictate any permanent alterations. I will refrain from wearing obscene t-shirts for the hours that I'm on your property, but for you to tell me that I can't get anything pierced during the years I'm growing up, or have to do it only when break starts so that I can remove it during hours, is entitled. You can't dictate my life, Random School I Happen to Live Near. Only part of it.

Of course, this is out for things like private schools where conditions were agreed upon and the student actually has another choice.

(Disclaimer: It's hard to convey in type, but I am saying this with a playful and amused tone that has just a hint of real frustration. Please adjust your reaction accordingly. Have a nice day!)

[Lace Neil Singer]

I personally don't see the harm, but rules are rules. If you don't like the rules, then go elsewhere or opt to be homeschooled. There are rules at workplaces, too that may seem ridiculous *cough*Disney*cough*; why should school rules suddenly be held up to be impossible to keep and should be broken? You go to school to learn, and you are a child. When you get to college, you can punch holes all over your body if you want to; by then, you're an adult.

As for "I was abused so I need this body piercing", bullshit. I suffered from an eating disorder, self harmed and had low self esteem; what helped me was to dress in Gothic style clothing and paint my face dead white with thick black eyeliner and black lipstick. By this girl's logic, cuz it helped me deal with my problems, I should have been allowed to ditch the uniform and go to school in full Goth regalia. Sorry sweetheart; the rules are for everyone, no exceptions.

[Amanita]

^Because often students don't get a say in where they go to school. As MrsEclipse said, if you're zoned for a certain school, you have to go there, you can't just "go elsewhere". Unless you are willing to pay for private school, which not everyone can afford, or homeschool, which not all families are able to do.

I honestly think that a lot of these rules- ie, no piercings, no long hair on boys are based on outdated cultural norms, and border on control-freakishness.
I can understand concerns about excessive piercings*, obscene slogans or images on clothes, or skin exposure. But is there really a need to micromanage tiny nose studs or hair length?

*A girl who used to go to my high school had a row of piercings in her cheek, spaced fairly close together. She got in a fight, got punched in the face, and her cheek split completely open, right along the line of piercings.
To me, a massive amount of piercings like that would be inappropriate for school, due not just to looks but for safety issues. However, a single nose stud would not even be on my radar- I knew lots of girls with single studs and rings.

[Lace Neil Singer]

So abide by the rules while you're there; it's not hard. Kids go to school for a few hours each day; they can surely bear to abide by a dress code which is what they'll have to while at work, more than likely. They can put in their piercings when they leave every night and on weekends; if you read the article, the site of the religion this girl follows actually suggests compromise. It's the girl and her mother who refuse to do so.

Also, I went to school in England as you know, and I wore a fucking UNIFORM. So you can see why I think that whining and bitching about not being able to wear a nose stud is completely off the wall. Either shut the fuck up, or put up.

[Amanita]

And I'm pretty much against uniforms, so that about sums my viewpoint up. What about things that can't be "taken out' for a few hours like hair length?

[Rageaholic]

I don't understand body piercing. It actually looks pretty painful. However, while I don't get it and don't think it's that big of a deal, I agree with MrEclipse. It just reeks of the school being control freaks, which has my experience with them (and my brothers).

The article in favor of the school is full of crap. Comparing freedom of speech and religion to the right to bare arms? Saying children shouldn't have any rights? I resent that kind of thinking.

[Lace Neil Singer]

And I'm pretty much against uniforms, so that about sums my viewpoint up. What about things that can't be "taken out' for a few hours like hair length?

Hair length is pushing it a bit; then again, hair can be tied back. I just don't see why it's worth throwing a bitchfit over school rules when there are far worse things to be bothered over, like for example, bad teachers or bullying.

And of course children have rights; they have the right to remain silent. Wish more would exercise that right. XD

[Greenday]

Yes, there are other options than public school. It's not the government's job to make sure all the special snowflakes can do whatever they want in schools. If you don't like it, get the rule change, go to a private school, or do home schooling.

If you can't do the last two, either get the rule changed, or deal with it since it's not a big deal at all.

[Nyoibo]

It would seem that this is what it's about, getting the rule changed.

[Arcade Man D]

They can put in their piercings when they leave every night and on weekends; if you read the article, the site of the religion this girl follows actually suggests compromise. It's the girl and her mother who refuse to do so.

I'm sorry, but if someone wants to display their religion in a non-disruptive way (such as a cross/fish necklace, a yarmulke, a headscarf, or a simple nose piercing), a public school in the United States has less than zero rights to interfere, as public schools are government agencies, and the precedent set by Tinker v. Des Moines (1969), stating that "students do not leave their rights at the schoolhouse door.