Ok, so I know I'm an old lady when it comes to tatoos. Back when I was growing up (a hundred years ago!) it was only the wild kids that got tatoos. Now they seem to be so mainstream. And that's fine - I don't have an issue with an inconspicuous tatoo here or there. But at my daughter & son's school it seems they're sending out the wrong message. Tatoos on kids at their school are not allowed (no surprise there) but even the rub-on tatoos are a big no-no. So I think it's ironic when my daughter comes home with a graphic description of the tatoos on her substitute teacher. (One on her neck, hand, etc.). Is it just me in my little old-fashioned world that thinks there's something wrong with this picture?
Lattemom is the mother of three energetic kids ages 6, 8 & 11 and a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com.
I know what you mean and I
I know what you mean and I completely agree with the tattoos at school. It seems now a days anything goes. At my kids elementary school, teachers have tattoos, nose piercings and those sizer things in their ears. They also wear flip flops to school and some teachers let the kids call them Ms Laura or even Laura. I was raised to respect my teachers, but how do you respect a flip flop wearing, pierced/tattooed teacher, who is just so cool they fit right in with the kids in their dress and "body art". I just do not think it is appropriate and it sets an example to the kids that I don't want mine getting. Yes they see it in other places, but there is a difference when you are at a store or watching TV and your child’s school. I’ve even seen teachers in tank tops! I have a stricter dress code at a postal store then teachers seem to have these days.
I guess my big question is, “What is wrong with dressing modestly or environment appropriate?” I mean we are talking about being an influence on kids and teachers are indeed an appropriate influence on our kids.
As always I'd like to end with saying I am not judging what other people do with their bodies, just stating I don't think it is appropriate at school.
moladybug ~ mommy of twins
I'm 27 and totally get what
I'm 27 and totally get what you're saying. We all tend to judge people based on their look. But as long as you are being open and willing to give them a chance, that's all normal. I have plenty of those things to look at in my list when I meet people. But it's often the ones who didn't make a good first impression who turn out to stay close.
P.S. I have no tattoos :)
Times have definitely
Times have definitely changed! In a few years, we'll probably look back and fondly recall when teachers just had tattoos and tank tops! Lord knows what they'll think of next! LOL
Hobbymommy, 38, is a discussion leader from Mesa. She is a happy stay-at-home mommy to a 3-year-old daughter and a 1-year-old son.
I'm thinking that was the
I'm thinking that was the sub's first (and probably last) day at that school. Often, the principal doesn't meet a sub until the first day s/he comes in to work.
I wouldn't necessarily want to go back to men in jackets and ties and women in skirts and heels -- especially since I'm thinking about going back into teaching. However, I think one should be able to tell the difference between the teacher and the students.
I think that many young adults were never taught the difference between casual and play clothes. I'm often surprised at how they dress for work. Many of them would be surprised to hear that they might not get certain jobs because of their appearance (i.e. visible tats).
This is very interesting to
This is very interesting to me. I have 2 tattoos (only one visible and allow me to get your mind out of the gutter, ladies, it's on my hip :)), and my husband has a few also.
The fact of the matter is that tattoos are becoming "the norm". If schools one day decided to reject applications from aspiring teachers who have 'body art' they'd be missing out on a lot of quality educators. I know no one was necessarily passing judgement, but I personally don't believe that someone with a tattoo can be deemed as a bad role model... for that sole purpose, now if the teacher's coming in half drunk with a cigarette hanging from her pierced lip, that's obviously a different story. But let's not forget that piercings and tattoos don't always mean sex, drugs, and rock and roll and I think it's important that our kids understand that in our forever changing society.
As far as the tank tops and flip flops go (also favorites of mine), don't blame the teacher, talk to your child's school principal for allowing it. If you had the option to wear flip flops and tank tops to work every day, wouldn't you? I know I sure would... even if it meant displaying my tattoo :)
And please, let us not forget to teach our children to respect others no matter how they present themselves.
Julie
Pre-school teacher
I totally agree with you. I
I totally agree with you. I don't approve of tatoos and nose rings, etc. if you are trying to be a professional, especially teaching my child.
I got slammered by other moms with my opinion last time on this topic, but my mom always told me to stand up for what I believe.
If you are going to act like a professional, then look like one.
One Happy Mom in Arizona.
I have to comment on this
I have to comment on this one, and just so you all know, I totally respect all of your opinions. However, I saw somewhere a couple years back (I believe it was on World News Tonight) that tomorrow's "professional" will be with visible tattoos at this rate.
That being said, my "visible" tattoo is on my ankle and can easily be covered up with pants. My husband's tattoos are not visible as long as he's wearing a shirt because tomorrow's not here yet and he wanted to be able to provide for his family.
No "slammering" today :)
I find this topic very
I find this topic very interesting. I have six tattoos and my husband has just as many. I work in a professional atmosphere and never once have I been told that I don’t look professional. And yes they are visible. Just because someone has tattoos doesn’t mean that we are some kind of bad example or someone who isn’t professional.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, it just seems as though you are judging people by how they look.
I see no problem with teachers who have tattoos; as long as they aren’t of naked people or cuss words…I see no problem.
Thank you for your comments Julieteenie! i completly concur!
Don't get me wrong. I'm not
Don't get me wrong. I'm not judging people who have tats; I'm saying that people with tats often get judged. My DP has a small tattoo on the side of her foot; my father had one he'd gotten as a young sailor; boy did it get ugly as he aged.
I know clothes, etc. don't matter to many people; I was just raised to think that dressing appropriately (and modestly) shows respect.
I am a 28 year-old mom and a
I am a 28 year-old mom and a professional, and I have many tattoos and piercings. However, as a professional, I do not show them in my workplace. I always make sure that I wear long sleeves, or I take a sweater to work with me. I always wear pants. I never wear my hair in a ponytail, to ensure that the one on my neck is not showing. I think that this is something that I enjoy about myself and in my personal time I will display them. However, out of respect for others and their opinions, I do not display them at my workplace. My superiors have told me that it's ok if I show them; however, I do not feel comfortable. I deal with the public almost on a daily basis and understand that others may not have the same opinion about them as I, and I respect that. I especially do not think that teachers should display this "personal" side of them - I feel it's way too distracting, and does not respect ALL parents' views. It's still too controversial.
Allison, It was nice to read
Allison,
It was nice to read your post and feel like you understand where other moms are coming from with their feelings. I agree there is a time and a place! Thanks for writing.
moladybug ~ mommy of twins
Ppl keep saying they are a
Ppl keep saying they are a "professional". What exactly is your occupation? Strippers think they are professionals. Can you guys tell what you do.
" just my Opinion"
Since you ask, I'm the
Since you ask, I'm the Director of Product Development and Implementation at a provider of telecom services to calling centers nationwide.
However, being professional doesn't mean earning a lot of money or having a lot of education. Being professional means knowing your profession and behaving like one. Some of the dearest people in my life are professionals: waitresses, plumbers, custodians ...
Okay so I am not judging
Okay so I am not judging people by their piercings or tattoos. I am saying I don’t want my teachers, doctors, lawyers, priest, etc… to have noticeable tattoos.
I am raising my children to know that yes, there are different types of people and they do different things. In our family, however we treat our bodies as a temple and with respect to our Lord we do not mark them up as that is not how he created us. (By the way I am not some religious nut, this just comes from my scripture readings.)
I find it interesting that one mom says she was slammed for her opinion against tattoos, but yet her opinion (from the past) seemed to be just that she didn’t agree with them. Why is it okay to say “Hey tattoos are the normal, better get used to it” but not okay to say “Not in my home”?
It seems more and more we are told this, but I feel I have the right to tell my children “with understanding towards others” that we don’t do such and such.
moladybug ~ mommy of twins
I appreciate you standing up
I appreciate you standing up for what you believe in. Gosh, they think we judge them for having tattoos and not wanting them to teach our children with tattoos covering their bodies, and then they judge us for not agreeing with them. Every person has an opinion and it doesn't matter if anyone agrees with it. Some like tattoos, some don't. Some like street walking, some don't, some like drinking, some don't, some smoke, some don't, some like prisons, some don't.
Way to go moladybug. We get slammed for our opinion.
They judge us worse than we judge them. But do I care?
I don't want my child growing up thinking he has to be covered with tattoos to fit in. I want him to know that the body is beautiful without covering it with ink.
One Happy Mom in Arizona.
I appreciate you standing up
I appreciate you standing up for what you believe in. Gosh, they think we judge them for having tattoos and not wanting them to teach our children with tattoos covering their bodies, and then they judge us for not agreeing with them. Every person has an opinion and it doesn't matter if anyone agrees with it. Some like tattoos, some don't. Some like street walking, some don't, some like drinking, some don't, some smoke, some don't, some like prisons, some don't, some like college, some don't, etc.
Way to go moladybug. We get slammed for our opinion.
They judge us worse than we judge them. But do I care?
I don't want my child growing up thinking he has to be covered with tattoos to fit in. I want him to know that the body is beautiful without covering it with ink.
One Happy Mom in Arizona.
I certainly am not judging
I certainly am not judging you for what you believe in, i certainly dont look down on my mother because she doesnt like tattoos, but by you saying we arent professional because we have tattoos is judging us.
Teaching your child that they dont need to do this and that to fit in is a wonderful lesson to teach your child and i hope i can instill that value into my child as well, but i am also going to teach my girl that just because someone appears a certain way doesnt mean that they arent loving, caring, intellegent, and professional.
Everyone is intitaled to their own opinion, Thank you for sharing yours but and people are going to get defensive when you label something that they are not because of what they look like.
I think that is a good
I think that is a good point, maybe instead of worrying about what they are teaching your child something by what they look like you should teach them what you think is acceptable. The standards that you set in your home should be good for them. You don't want your child to have a opinion of someone before they get to know them.
Cruz Family Day Care
~Samantha Cruz
When I was in school, I had
When I was in school, I had a couple of teachers that had tattoos and they couldn't come to work unless they were all covered up. One of them had tattos down his arms and you never saw him in school with anything but a long sleeve shirt on. We had a sub with a tat on the back of her neck and she had to wear a big band aid over it.
Cruz Family Day Care
~Samantha Cruz
Tats are fine. These are
Tats are fine. These are new generations - I personally have no issues with tattoos. I don't have any myself but I have learned to enjoy looking at others!
Mom of teenage boys!
In response to Different
In response to Different Drum's question of what our professions are: I work at the Superior Court. In addition to working directly with Judges/Commissioners, I work with lawyers, other legal and judicial personnel, juries and other people within the general public. I am in a courtroom every day--when the Judge is in court, I'm in court.
I work as an accountant for
I work as an accountant for a major business here in Tempe.
As a tattoo'd mom I would
As a tattoo'd mom I would support a school not allowing a teacher/assistant/helper to display their body art. I would not let it bias my decision to hire them as long as they are willing to cover up on school grounds. My tattoo was a personal choice, self expression, yadda yadda - it still is my personal choice, self expression, and yadda yadda, therefore, I will respect the environment that I am in and as a rational adult not force my body art on a captive audience.
Just because we "can" does not mean we "should".
In response to moladybug and
In response to moladybug and sdebralh, since I feel some of their posts were directed at me, I'd like to remind you that I did not "slam" or "judge" either of you for your opinions on tattoos. In fact, in my second post, I said that I respected your opinions.
Moladybug, you said something along the lines of "get used it" and then something about how I, or others with my opinion, don't think it's right for you to say "not in my home". I don't know where you got this logic. Whatever you do in your own home and whatever values you choose or choose not to instill in your children is no business of mine. Someone posted a question or comment and I responded with my opinion on the matter and then mentioned something I saw on the news.
I'm with most of you all when you say "there's a place and a time". I don't think I ever implied that I wasn't. Perhaps I misunderstood the question above, but I was under the impression that the original poster was commenting on teachers with tattoos period. As a teacher, with a tattoo, I commented.
I have seen no "slamming" on this topic, just differences of opinion. I just wanted to clear that up.
Julieteenie, I'm sure I
Julieteenie, I'm sure I speak for everyone on this board when I say that we value your opinion. Everybody has hot buttons; I'm sure you have noticed that I have mine.
I'd like to think we can forgive one another for ranting / venting. That's what makes this a safe place. I've been told on a couple of occasions that because I don't have a minor child in my house right now, my opinion doesn't count.
The joke may soon be on me. Depending on the verdict from the OB/Gyn, we might be pregnant within a few months. As we said to our priest, our child will be telling people his/her parents are both old and old-fashioned. But I'm sure that I'll be begging for advice.
Ok so it looks like some
Ok so it looks like some apologizes are due on my part.
Julieteenie when I was responding I wasn’t speaking just about you personally, I was going off what I read from everyone, past readings and my feelings in general about this subject.
When I said “better get used to it” I meant that people (not just here) seem to have the attitude that you don’t have a right to feel like certain professions shouldn’t have exposed tattoos ie: teachers. I was refering to when you quoted the article about tommorrows professionals and that they tattoos are becoming “the norm”. It seems sometimes like if you have a different attitude that you are somehow wrong in your thinking and bad. I don’t judge people because they have tattoos and I don’t raise my kids that way either. I am raising them to know what is acceptable in our home. I also said thanks to all the ladies who say there is a time and a place (including you).
As for slamming and judging I should have specified I didn’t just mean this foram, I meant in general I have seen a lot of that on the subject of tattoos.
So I am sorry if I came across as judgemental. I do, btw have a tattoo, got it when I was young and really loved it. Until I saw my perfect littl babies and new I would never want them to mark their bodies to fit in, show their individualities or whatever. They were perfect just the way they were and nothing like a tattoo could make them more. So that is really personal on my part and why I feel this way for my family.
moladybug ~ mommy of twins
If tattoos were so beautiful
If tattoos were so beautiful to look at, I think pilots, flight attendants, lawyers, physicians, dentist, professors, anchorman, and preachers would be showing them off for all their customers.
Everyone has a right to believe what they want and to do what they want. I just love a body without all the ink.
One Happy Mom in Arizona.
I agree the kids and the
I agree the kids and the teachers should have the same rules. The administration needs to address it with their staff and subs to keep the tatoos covered. A "dress code" needs to be applied uniformly even if it requires use of a band-aid! Count me in the old-fashioned boat with you!
soccermom