Posted on 07/11/2006 6:26:50 AM PDT by tuffydoodle
ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Arlington school district has expanded its dress codes to include bans on mouth jewelry known as "grills" and the earlobe-stretching practice known as gauging.
"The district is having to respond to fads because they've become distracters or a safety hazard for those around them," said Malcolm Turner, the district's executive director of student services.
The nearby Irving, Grand Prairie and DeSoto districts also ban grills, and some also address gauging -- the process of placing increasingly large items in the ears to stretch the lobes.
But students said the body modification is simply self-expression.
"Really, a grill is just like an earring. It's fashion," said Sam Houston junior Devonte Wright, 16.
Others said it was unfair to ban such jewelry after students had purchased the expensive items, such as a $200, six-tooth white-gold diamond-cut grill. The price ranges from $180 to $3,000 at J's Grill in Arlington.
"If they bought it, they should be able to wear it," said Sam Houston senior LaVeda Antwine, 17.
But school officials said they hoped to teach students that life would require them to follow specific regulations in specific settings.
"We want to instill in them a sense of modesty and a sense of community," said school board trustee Gloria Pena. "We're preparing them for the work force, and in the work force there are rules."
Oooooo, turns me on!
Ugh, that and "piercing" are some of the most hideous of the current fads. Nothing makes me want to gag like looking at a bolt shoved through someone's eyebrow, or a "smile" like the one in your picture.
That would go well with a platinum bone through the nose.
When I was in high school it was the Principal's goal to have our shirts tucked in our pants. When you don't hold the line kids will push the envelope to some pretty ridiculus limits.
By the way, I still tuck in my shirts and feel improper any other way. A big thank you to my old principal who may have felt like giving in but didn't.
"If they bought it, they should be able to wear it," said Sam Houston senior LaVeda Antwine, 17."
I just love these kids arguments. Don't think LaVeda will be attending Harvard law school.
I think it's like a retainer.
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"Really, a grill is just like an earring. It's fashion," Right. Leisure suits were considered fashion too. Most of us eventually learn that exploiting the masses in the name of fashion is simply making someone else a ton of money at your expense. Nature designed us to say ouch to a hole being created in our body for a reason. If it was a good thing, you'd think it would give off a pleasurable feeling. |
EW it's so UGLY!!!!!
I wouldn't be caught dead in that.
Nor would I. It reminds me of the movie "Alien" when the alien was getting ready to rip someone up. They would show his mouth up close and the lips slowly parting to show BIG ugly teeth. Looks just like that mouth jewelry.
Ahhhh, the logic of a child. I bought myself a .45 caliber pistol recently, so since I bought it, I should be able to shoot it whenever and wherever I feel like it.....RIGHT????
That guy never has to buy plates.
It slides over their teeth. It is disgusing to see. Kids bring them to school and slip them in and out. Filthy. [probably hard on the tooth enamel, too--not that it matters because of the tooth decay from the candy they eat all day long] I hope that our school district will do the same thing--ban the mess. Of course, we'd have parents before the school board to protest, you know.
It's about time American schools introduced proper school uniforms instead of letting pupils attend class in whatever they like.
Express yourself at home.
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