November 01, 2006
Tattoos, Piercings and Professionalism OH MY!
Note to readers: this article was written by Lisa Murphy in July 2006 and was sent out as a "Membership Musing" to our Ooey Gooey Members.
Although I was not aware of an epidemic of preschool teachers running en masse to their local tattoo parlors, it seems as though the latest sound bite on the battlefield of professionalism is no more visible tattoos and/or piercings. Mind you now, it is the folks in the offices and administrative buildings who are upset. I have yet to hear of a parent making a complaint, but anyway, here's the deal I guess some teachers are finding themselves no longer employed because of the Tigger/Flower/Heart/Star/Moon tattoo they have on their ankle (or wherever). "Why?" you ask. "Because it is visible."
What I find very interesting is that the ink art had always been visible, but now for some reason it has become a problem. I do workshops all over the country. Big cities, small towns, villages we have all heard of and quaint hamlets that aren't (and never will be) on a map. It's just what I do. However, when I begin noticing similar concerns permeating county lines it is an indicator to me that something is going on. And this is what is happening as of late. Educators from all over are sharing similar concerns about the warped definition of professionalism being enforced in the hallowed halls of education. When I hear that preschool teachers in California and Indiana are no longer allowed to wear jeans or T-shirts or sneakers I get frustrated. When I hear that early childhood educators in Texas are being required to wear heels and skirts, I get concerned. I begin to ask WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE????
SITUATION #1: Jeans at my school used to be OK. When I had on my (clean, blue, non- ripped) jeans you could not see my ankle art. This year no one is allowed to wear jeans. We have to wear skirts, and guess what??!! NOW you can see it! All of a sudden I am considered "less professional."
DILEMMA #2: Piercings have been deemed "not OK" What do you say to the teacher who has 6 holes in her ears and to the teacher with a belly ring? What if they are both really good at their jobs? Why are pierced ears OK and pierced eyebrows not? Who decided?
So here's the question: Does having a tattoo or piercing make you "less professional"??
And here is my counter-question: Does the tattoo come with an ATTITUDE? Did the belly ring come with a chip on the shoulder? Does the eyebrow piercing come with a poor work ethic? Are we all of a sudden unable to get down on the floor, play tag, lift kids to the changing table, set up the room with activities because it might hurt/damage/destroy my pierced tongue, eye brow, belly, nose?? Does the tongue ring come hand-in-hand with sloppiness, laziness and inattention to job performance? If the answer to any of these is YES then please forgive me for stating what I thought was obvious; being less "professional" as nothing to do with the fact one is tattooed or pierced. It has everything to do with the fact that folks with these characteristics and personality traits probably would not have been good employees or appear to be very professional in the first place. Pierced and tattooed or not.
The real issue has nothing to do with body art and body jewelry. It has to do with COMMUNICATION SKILLS. Instead of possibly dealing with issues as they occur, we try to control every possible angle by saying this and that IS OK and this and that are NOT OK. If someone is being inappropriate it is our job to go and talk with them. Not to pass a ruling from the comfort and safety of "the office" that we think will deal with the problem" yet in reality has nothing to do with 99% of the folks who work in the building! You might pass a ruling saying that no one is allowed to wear jeans anymore. But in reality that decision stems from the fact that ONE PERSON is wearing jeans that are either too tight too small too ripped (or maybe all of the above!) and let's be real - you pass a rule that says NO JEANS when really what you need to do is go talk to little miss so-and-so and tell her she needs to be wearing some DIFFERENT JEANS. That will begin to solve the problem. But often times because our communication skills and social skills are lacking we pass a RULE that then affects 99% of the folks who did not need the RULE in the first place. And do you think little miss so-and-so is going to pay attention to your rule anyway?? I didn't think so.
Please know I realize clothing, tattoos and piercings affect a first impression. I think we should all try very hard to see beyond the ink and the hole. Yes folks, I am well aware that a huge colorful bleeding dragon flame throwing heart on ones forearm might be a bit distracting at first - but for crimeney sakes.... get over it!!
ALTERNATIVE ANGLE: "Good Morning! This is Ms. Katelyn and she is our new teacher. She has lots of art on her arms! If you want, come on over and see!"
Look at it. Talk about it. I guarantee the novelty and infatuation will not last much longer than a week or two. (Unless you make her hide it). And then guess what??!! The novelty of her tattooed wrists or arms will wear off and - low and behold - she becomes simply, "Ms. Katelyn, my teacher." Not "Ms. Katelyn the tattooed lady who works at Kiddie Kare Love and Tender Teddy Bear Time World!"
I remember a family I had in the preschool program years and years ago. Mom and dad had quite an alternative profession for this small conservative town. Their son (I'll call him Daniel) always arrived right after naptime after having spent all morning and early afternoon with his parents. He arrived right about snack time and stayed through until 6:30 PM when he was picked up by grandma, who he stayed with each night while mom and dad worked their jobs. (They were, for the record, exotic dancers). This boy was loved, was provided for and was an all around well adjusted kid. More so than some of the kids from more "traditional" families, but that, as they say, is another workshop! Anyway - point of the story - one afternoon his mom and dad brought him in for snack and we ALL noticed that they were not talking. Daniel was playing with his friends but mom and dad were silent - usually they were quite chatty - anyway - one of the kids asked them what was wrong. One of the KIDS mind you. Dad said, "Ree daht ah tngs bercd."
He proceeded to stick out his newly pierced, and quite swollen, tongue. So did mom. Daniel added, Yeah, and they cant eat much for a few days. They have to keep it clean so it doesnt get infected. 20 or so kids proceeded to look (but not touch) ask a few questions, Did it hurt? Yes Like a shot? Yep. Did it have blood? Not really The inquisition went on for about 10 minutes, and then, guess what?? It was OVER. Moral of the story, its like anything else. Want them to pick their nose? Tell them NOT to. Want them to not nap? Make a big deal of it. Want to make sure they eat the playdough tell them to STOP STOP STOP!!! You do not become professional by wearing certain clothes or looking a certain way. We could slap a suit on Laminated Lady is that going to make her better? Respect for the self translates into respect for others. Pride and professionalism comes from within. If a teacher really is a professional, his or her professionalism will present itself daily during interactions with colleagues, parents, directors and children regardless of their attire.
For the record, from Webster's New Word Dictionary:
Stereotype:A fixed or conventional notion or conception.
Judgment: An opinion. Deciding.
Judgmental: Considered to be lacking in tolerance and objectivity.
that's all for now....
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