When I was in school chewing gum in class was never a distraction to me or anyone else in class. This was recently discussed at a class reunion and all agreed that not a single one of us was ever aware of the person next to them chewing gum until the teacher decided to disrupt the classroom by pointing it out.
During highschool I was behind the movement that put a stop to the ridiculous dress code our school had decided to institute by wearing swastica armbands and sieg-heils to the teachers during roll call. After we finally staged a walkout and refused to return it was finally thrown out yet years later the school appears to have forgotten the incident and has instituted a dress code anyway. We were never preoccupied in class with what our fellow students were wearing. Now too, schools are removing candybars from vending machines in the cafeteria. It was our understanding that a teacher's primary concern was a students education, not their diet or their clothing.
2006-07-11 16:28:26 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
First of all, teachers have the job to prepare you for life in the "real world" since many parents forget that it is part of their job. As a teacher I can say that I am tired of cleaning gum off of the bottom of desks. Before you comment - my school allows gum in class. Students just seem too lazy to put the gum into the trash can. The dress code issue is another sore spot. I have seen the effects of improper dress on the rest of the class. You may not be aware of it, but a teacher can see others looking around and talking to their friends about how another student is dressed. I love school picture days. When students dress up more for their pictures they also behave in a more mature manner. We actually act differently when we are dressed differently. Teachers are trying to instill a work ethic and pride in appearance that goes with it.
2006-07-11 17:07:43 · answer #1 · answered by physandchemteach 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The school environment is a strange place where hard and fast rules rarely seem sensible. However trivial chewing gum may seem by most, it CAN BE disruptive when done by some. Just like many people can handle a car traveling at 90 m.p.h., there are some who simply cannot manage an automobile at that speed. Rather than enforce speed limits for only those who cannot handle it, they post a rule for all to follow in the best interest of everyone. Is it fair? Ideally not. But that is the most practical way to keep 16 year-olds driving Corvettes and Mustangs from careening across the center line at you and I. Similarly, that is the most practical way to keep the obnoxious gum chewers from bothering others. Create a rule for all to follow.
The same principle applies to the dress code. I hate to sound sexist, but pity the poor, testosterone-addled teeneage boy who sits behind the overly-developed, attractive teenage girl who decided to wear as little as possible to school. This may seem like it is an area other than the school subject matter, but believe me, the last thing on the poor teenage boy's mind is the importance of the 14th amendment. In order for any school material to penetrate his distracted mind, it is best for the distractions to be minimized. Schools need to tread lightly around the 14th amendment in order to teach it. (Wild piece of irony, don't you think?)
2006-07-12 00:21:53 · answer #2 · answered by PJS. 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Chewing gum is forbidden in the schools because of the mess left behind by gum stuck everywhere, not because it is disruptive to the class.
The primary purpose of school is not to get tanked up on sweets, or socialize with your friends, or dress to attract a mate. It is to learn the academics and skills needed to become a productive and effective member of the workforce and adult community.
Diet and nutrition directly affect brain function.
How you dress affects your hireability for most jobs.
Quit whining and grow up already.
2006-07-12 00:44:28 · answer #3 · answered by spedusource 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh, Boo Hoo. You try controlling a class full of undiscipled brats wearing tee shirts with foul slogans and the F word on them. Try dealing with girls whose skirts are so short you can see everything when they sit down. Deal with boys who stink of nicotine and give you a death stare when you ask them a question. Do you chew gum at work when you talk to the boss? It is disrespectful and rude. You must have had some rotten attitude when you were a kid. You still do.
2006-07-11 23:34:44 · answer #4 · answered by notyou311 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For the same reasons we have to provide medical attention (within our capabilities, provide police assistance at times, provide a parental perspective, provide lunch money, provide a ride home when "DAD" forgets to pick Sally up from school - - yes, sometimes we have to worry about whether students are eating properly. . . trust me when you don't have the food your body needs to fuel your brain you can't learn . . . and when your body parts are hanging out or the kid sitting next time has a weapon hidden in his baggy pants you begin to appreciate attention to dress . . .gangs don't decide to share colors because it is fashionable.
2006-07-12 03:35:18 · answer #5 · answered by smithy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are teaching you that when you are in somebody elses house you follow their rules. You might like to chew gum but they say no, their house so they win.
Like when I come to your house, I'd like to punch you in the nose, but its your house and your rules so you win. No broken nose.
2006-07-11 23:38:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your understanding of teachers' primary concern is wrong. Check again when you mature.
2006-07-11 23:32:32 · answer #7 · answered by Pancakes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋