LEARN TO GRIN AND WEAR IT
Kids need to get real about rules and uniforms – and find a better way to air their grievances than on social media
HARDEN up. That’s the first thought that came to mind as I read the whinge by some Varsity College students, upset that their school principal Steve McLuckie is enforcing the school uniform policy.
“We are no longer allowed to wear sports shoes to school, but we are made to carry shoes in our bags only for sports lessons … even though our bags are extremely heavy,” a Year 10 student moaned.
Sorry, just wait a minute while I get my violin.
But the students weren’t done complaining – they say they’re being made to “feel like criminals” because they wear the wrong bag or hairstyle and that some teachers have tried to physically remove their piercings.
They claimed the enforcement was making students “stressed and anxious” and was “messing with people’s sense of identity and confidence”.
Wait, what? Are they for real? The way I see it, uniform rules are in place for a reason: they ensure the focus at school is on education and not on who is wearing the newest, coolest gear. It’s ultimately easier for parents and students, who don’t have to argue about what’s being worn that day and it sets a school-wide standard for appearance.
Rules are part of life and if these students can’t follow some simple rules now, what chance is there for the future?
Turns out I’m not the only person who feels this way.
Bulletin readers were quick to make their thoughts heard online over the weekend.
“What happened to the day when kids did as they were told and were punished if they didn’t?” David of Merrimac pondered.
Robert of Canungra wrote: “I think the students and parents need to harden up. This is all about getting students ready for the real world. If you don’t like the policy pack your bags and find a school that allows you to dress like bogans.”
B. Ware wrote: “Oh the poor precious little dears. For God’s sake parents this is school where we all had to learn and obey the rules.”
And on and on the comments went. A few supported the students, but the large majority believe uniform rules are there for a reason. You agree to the rules when you enrol at a school, accept them and wear the uniform.
Life is full of teaching moments and this is one of them. The students and parents could have handled the issue in a proactive way – if they do feel strongly that the uniform policy is too harsh, why not make a well-researched case for changes? Present your case to the school administration but be prepared to accept the umpire’s verdict.
The very idea that if you don’t like something you can complain on social media is symptomatic of our brave new digital world. Online outrage is the go-to reaction for so many now when they don’t like the way life’s going.
Parents are doing their kids no favours by condoning this reaction, which leaves kids exposed and looking like spoiled, precious upstarts.
Imagine the reaction of future employers when staff tell them they can’t conform to the uniform policy because it’s “messing with their identity”.
Time for a reality check.
If these students can’t follow some simple rules now, what chance is there for the future?