I've just posted an experience update (153 new stories). Thanks to all the reviewers (holy crap, Don has read 8,415 experiences, and that may not even count the ones from earlier systems) and the writers of course. Gary (not on IAM) is our cover model, with 102 piercings above the neck (by Jeremy at Downers Grove Tattoo and Body Piercing, IL).
I wanted to briefly post some of the letters I'm getting in response to the students with piercings articles and QOD discussion:
I go to school in London, England, I used to have my nose piercied, and a teacher told me to take it out and I shouldn't wear it because it is a religious symbol for the Indians. I refused to take it out of course, but a friend had her tongue piercied but it was hidden so it was fine. By the way the teacher who told me to take it out was a religious studies teacher.As far as I know alot of schools around the world do have rules not to wear piercings...similar rules to school uniform. It's way of life of school. I waited until I finished school and got all my piercings that I wanted, and I can say it meant alot more to have it done after school, it was like some reward to myself.
All I'm saying I don't really agree with school rules either, but that's life.
I'm working in a high school in Poland now and this high school has a very similar attitude towards body piercing like many American and Canadian schools. I'm modded myself and at first it was rather hard for me to work there. The rule says that piercings in body parts not accepted by our culture are not allowed at any time. First I was really shocked and angry because I don't really like this kind of "here's-what-you-can't-do" stuff. A bit later, when I learned something more about my students (how rude, negligent and lazy they can be)I started thinking that maybe there is something sensible to this rule.
Well, today I was approached by one of my students who told me about his plans for getting a tattoo done. He's 15 and I've already seen quite extensively tattooed people at this age in this school. Well, I gave the guy a few pieces of advise and said that maybe he should wait a bit loneger for his tattoo. He didn't look convinced. After seeing such things in school, though, and after a second thought I do really think that body piercing and tattoos shouldn't be banned.
A hostile attitude towards this kind of self-expression can only have an opposite effect on the students. Our main task as teachers is to help students and to teach them various subjects, so we should also support them in this kind of situation. I hate even to think about 14- or 15-ys-olds with such a permanent mod as a tattoo but I want to learn why they want to get it done and I also want to help them to make a right decision and to inform them about pros and cons of body mods. Banning body piercing doesn't work at all.Instead of banning and fighting against it, principals and teachers should learn more about body mods to be able to talk to their students and to help them if they'd need that.
Sorry for taking your time. I just wanted to share my opinion.
As for the school piercing thing, my advice is to fly under the radar. I managed to do this for years with multiple piercings, pink hair, and a rather wide selection of black clothing because my teachers utterly loved me. Administration will not bother you as much when they know you have a lot of teachers on your side. It's just easier for them to pretend you don't exist.
I was kicked out of school when I was 15 for wearing a labret stud (my only piercing) minus the ball so you could bearly see it, still I was thrown out with no support of my parents, completed home schooling to get 9 GCSE's off all A's and B's. I'm now 17 next week and just completed my first year course at college and gained an A level in Advanced ICT, I kept my labret when I was expelled and know it has 8 ear holes (2 streched), septum, nostril and monroe to keep it company! It's hard work being modded and respected at the same time (at least here in england), but we MUST prove that modded people have brains too :P Then we can shove it in ignorant peoples faces as and when we feel like it!!!
I too have just finished reading the latest article on who whole, "people being kicked out of school" thing. Being a student at a public australian school means we have a pretty strict dress code. A uniform. Boring bland uniform, we even have regulation socks... I'm also visibly pierced (8g septum, 10g ring labret) I've never, ever been even threatened with the "get kicked out of school if you don't take them out" thing. I'm also little confused that in the states where kids can wear casual clothes to school must have a dress code anyway. Its kinda silly if you ask me. So I wear a true uniform and remain visibly pierced..and noone has a problem with it.
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