School Uniforms: Good or Bad?

As I mentioned before, Noah goes to an elementary school that requires uniforms. Was I happy about this when I found out? Not really. Did I make a huge deal about it? No. I accepted it because it is their policy. It was hard to find the required color polo shirts. It wasn't because it was some outlandish color. I just happened to register and move to the school system late.

Let me tell you what Noah wears to school. He wears a light blue or navy polo shirt and cargo shorts or cargo pants. He also has a school t-shirt he can wear. Noah would most likely wear the same cargo shorts and cargo pants regardless because those are what he likes. They aren't stuffy starched pants or shorts. He doesn't have to wear a tie, normal or bow. His uniform has never been a big deal to him. When he gets a positive referral he doesn't have to wear his uniform. Honestly I don't see what the big deal is. I am sure you have some questions running through your head.

What about self expression? Shouldn't kids be able to express themselves through clothing?
Self expression is awesome. I believe that kids should be able to express themselves whenever they can. However I don't think that school is a place to have a fashion show. Kids get picked on for wearing off brand clothing. Kids also wear clothes that are too revealing or are too short. In high schools in some areas kids wearing  gang colors are an issue. If everyone has to wear the same thing, that will possibly help eliminate it.  I personally think that kids go to school to learn not to be complimented on their keen fashion sense. How many times have you heard a child in class say hey I love your uniform? Probably none.

Aren't they just like little clones?  I don't think that they are clones. Every child is unique and just because they are required to wear their uniform it doesn't take away from who they are. What about drones? Nope they aren't drones either. They are at school to learn and learn through art and music and work to express themselves. They will have to most likely wear a uniform when they work as an adult. School is their job.

Won't they rebel? I am sure different kids rebel for different reasons. I don't really see any correlation of wearing uniforms and rebellion. I haven't heard of tons of kids rebelling because they wore uniforms. Most of us go through a rebellious stage at some point. We do it, we move on. I have a vast knowledge of crime and serial killers and I have never heard of someone running amok because they wore a uniform in school.  There is always some kind of big issue that causes them to kill.

Think back to yesteryear when you were in school? Do you remember the majority of what you wore to school? I can probably remember a several outfits from each year. I have a great memory, especially when I have photos to remind me. It doesn't matter what you wear to school, what matters is your education. No one will look at your transcript and say oh Susie  wore Abercrombie to school and Billy wore Walmart clothes so let's give the job to Susie.

Nurture vs Nature

Have you ever heard about nurture vs nature? It is basically learned behaviors and behavior or traits you are born with. The pendulum swings both ways. There are certain things that you are born with. Mental illnesses, tendency to be addicted to alcohol, things you don't choose. I think that those people have to work extra hard to become a positive member of society.  I believe that nurture has a lot to do with how someone acts or behaves. This can be about anything really. If your child is spoiled and throws tantrums until they get their way, this is a learned behavior. Your child wasn't born with a bad case of the gimmies. You bought them a lot of toys. Now Noah is pretty spoiled, but he doesn't have huge tantrums. Does he cry when he doesn't get his way? Absolutely sometimes he does, I let him cry a little and then life moves on.

Hatred and prejudice is also a learned behavior. Children do not see skin color, they see friends. Race doesn't matter to them. There is nothing wrong with being different. It's what makes us uniquely us.  Friends can like different things and still be the same. I know my best friend and I are into different things. We love each other anyways.

A persons environment also has a huge impact on behavior. If you are raised in a home where there are crimes committed and are around criminals you are more likely to repeat those behaviors. I also believe that where you grow up and who your peers are have a part in it too.  If your friends are doing bad things you are more likely to do them too. Maybe to fit in or because you also think it is ok. When you watch your parents do something then it becomes almost acceptable in your mind when you look up to the parent. I also know economical factors play in to behavior. I am not saying that all people that come from low income families will turn to crime. I am saying it is more likely. They are predisposed to it. They can not afford things easily so some tend to turn to crime to get it. Drugs are more available.  When you want something you can not afford, some choose to turn to theft to get it.  I know that more people in prisons come from low income areas.

There are many people who are in low income high crime areas that overcome their environment and become productive member of society like Judge Mathis for example. It isn't a stamp that you are given on your forehead that says no future, you control that your self. You can overcome your challenges with doing the right things.

It is easier to do the right thing in a good environment. 

This is a common theme on Law and Order and Law and Order SVU. They always talk about if someone is born bad. Did they get a bad seed? The Bad Seed is one of my favorite movies. It is about a little girl who murders a bunch of people and the mother wonders if her daughter is the bad seed after finding out information about her past.  The Defense in criminal trials try and use both nature and nurture as a defense depending on the circumstances.

Just because your parent was bad doesn't mean the sins of the father are going to be the sins of the son.  There is no criminal gene or bad seed gene.

Just because you were mistreated as a child or abused doesn't make your crimes a act of nurture. There comes a point when you have to accept responsibility for your actions and overcome whatever happened to you.

Ten things you should never do on an online dating site

Since everyone is online and in social networking, some people look for love online. For whatever reason you decide to join whether it's because you are new to the area or work a lot there are things you should know not to do. This is geared more to my male readers, but good tips for anyone to know that isn't ok. These are in no particular order.

10. Most people are not ready to meet someone within just moments of a first message. Don't ask them out right away. Get to know someone first.  Slow and steady wins the race.

9. Don't rely on physical appearance. Don't just choose someone because they look pretty or handsome. That is kind of superficial. Personality is the most important thing.

8. Don't ask someone if they think you are attractive. It looks like you are just looking for compliments or validation. Everyone wants to be loved but you need to love yourself. Don't rely on someone else's opinion to base your self worth.

7. Don't ask for someone's number to text or talk on the phone right away. I understand that texts are instant and logging in to the site can be annoying, but at the same time it helps control when and who you talk to. Sometimes you don't feel the same way about someone you talk to and they will text you a million times. Sometimes you are called names so better to make sure this is a controlled environment. 

6. Everyone likes compliments, but be mindful of how you compliment them. Being told that you are attractive, smart, funny or have a great personality is awesome. Stay away from commenting on their body or certain parts. It is rude and inappropriate. Make respectful compliments.

  5. Don't ask for naked pictures. Don't send them of yourself. If you wouldn't send the picture to your mom or grandma, don't send it to some stranger on a dating site. Don't use graphic language.

4.  Don't message someone over and over asking where they went if they don't respond instantly. People get busy with life and log out and it may take a few days to respond to you. Be patient.

3. Don't assume every person is the one. Become friends first, not everyone is going to be a love connection. There is a reason why Chuck Woolry had three dates on Love Connection. Even then not every time there was a match.

2. Don't be boring. Put thought in to what you write. Even if that means you take a while to respond. Read it, take a while to formulate your response and don't be too personal. Don't ask them to ask you questions.

1. No means no. Don't pressure someone or nag them to do something they don't want to do or don't feel comfortable with.

I know most of this is common sense but I thought that I would make this list. These are very common things I have noticed being on dating sites.

What tips would you add to not do on a dating site?