For the most part, having certain rules and laws does keep people from acting out in a negative manner; however, there are quite a few regulations that just don’t make sense, especially in schools. The years of elementary and high school are some of the most important times in a child’s life. It’s during this period where adolescents start to truly become themselves. Every person is unique, which makes enforcing some of these school rules completely unfair. What may be no big deal to one student could be the end of the world for another. (And let’s face it, sometimes rules are just made to be broken.) Many schools across the nation still use writing as a punishment. This rule can leave a negative effect on students and potentially taint the way they view writing altogether. A better punishment would be taking off a few points from their homework grade or giving them a timeout. If a student isn’t where the school thinks they should be academically, they have the right to hold them back a year. This extreme pressure to pass can ultimately leave a child feeling helpless and lost. To make matters worse, some male students are getting called out for having facial hair. Not only is it embarrassing for them, but they could get in trouble because a lot of schools have a strict “no facial hair” rule. The game is a widely popular sport amongst the younger community. However, public schools in New Hampshire have banned the game because it is considered a human target sport. They also said dodge ball could lead to unwanted violence and bullying. Everyone is unique and has different athletic abilities from one another. For this reason, grading a student off of a particular mile time seems outrageous. Yet many schools still enforce that their students run a 10-minute mile in order to receive a good grade in gym class. However, critics are arguing that school uniforms take away from students’ individualities and freedom of expression. Also if a student’s uniform isn’t up to the standard, he or she could be denied entry into the school. The school district publicly enforces this rule. If a student is seen looking unhappy, they will get “invited” to the school office to talk about their problems. Some schools have decided to ban the term “dice” because they consider it a word associated with gambling. If a student is heard calling it by the wrong name, they could potentially get sent to detention or written up. Many parents think this is completely unfair. Teachers are encouraged to use more of a calming color such as blue, green, and purple. They believe this will lower student’s stress when they see the corrections on their coursework. Several schools in California, New Mexico, and Illinois have even gone as far as to ban the food altogether. If a student is caught with this spicy snack, it will be immediately confiscated. School officials announced the reason behind the ban was to help keep the younger generation interested in traditional cuisine Even certain Christmas colors like red and green are purposely not used during the winter season to avoid offending anyone. If a student is running late, they could face consequences. If someone is tardy too frequently, or more than a specific number of times, they might get expelled. The average school year in the United States lasts around 180 days. This means a student is only allowed to miss one day roughly every two to three months. As a result, many students attend school even if they feel sick just so they won’t get in trouble. However, for many other students, their lunch period could be anywhere between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. which makes for very awkward eating times. The worse part about it is that snacks are prohibited in many schools. This results in students going hungry for hours before they get a chance to eat. This does ensure that everyone stays focused; however, once a student has completed all their work, they are often left feeling bored and restless. Allowing sections of the study hall for quiet talking or playing soft music could provide a relaxing environment for students and teachers. It was also around this time when schools started to ban these tight black athletic pants. They argued that yoga pants were simply inappropriate for a school setting. Schools are trying to justify their actions by saying multicolored hair is a big distraction. However, critics argue that letting a young adult dye their hair is a great way for them to express their identity and creativity. Many people agree that cell phones should be limited in school but that they should not be banned. Smartphones are now like mini computers and, if used in the right way, can enhance academic success. While it is a good idea to learn how to be friends with everyone, some people just don’t get along. Critics are arguing that having a best friend brings not only joy but lifelong value and support. Actually, scientific research shows how beneficial chewing gum can be. It can improve a person’s memory while reducing stress. It also helps improve oral health and manage weight. For many students across the country, that time lasts only five minutes. As a result, students are rushing (and sometimes running) to get to class on time. Sometimes students have their carry around all their books because they don’t have enough time to stop at their locker. A majority of students and parents were outraged by the new rule. Mostly because the money raised from these bake sales went towards expenses like athletic equipment, class trips, and enhanced learning. However, many students and parents are trying to contest this rule. They are saying that sometimes the temperature outside is too hot for a full-sleeved shirt and they should have the right to wear what makes them feel comfortable. However, many schools across the nation have rules that limit the time you can spend in the restroom or the number of times you receive permission to go. Holding your bladder isn’t just unfair but it’s also dangerous. If you wait too long to urinate, it could weaken the bladder muscles over time and cause serious problems.
