Oh Lord... Is That a Bandanna?

Dress codes in schools are beginning to be a little old fashioned and unnecessarily strict. I am getting to bandanas specifically. They main reason they are banned in schools is because in the 1980's gang violence was getting out of hand.

The main way gang members would show their affiliation with a certain gang is by wearing a bandana with the gang's colors. Kids at schools were being attacked and robbed just for appearing to be wearing a rival gang's colors. Many schools reacted by simply banning the use of all bandanas.

I'm sure this worked and I'm sure that many kids’ health and safety were preserved by the implementation of this ban. Obviously it’s no longer the ‘80s; we have tiny touch screen mobile phones and flat screen televisions in our homes. Rules like these are just old and unnecessary.

Many places like suburbs do not even have a hint of gang activity. Kids should be able to wear bandanas to express their individuality. Where gangs are prevalent, I would agree that this ban should stay in effect.

Being a student myself and attending a school that partakes in tyranny such as this, I refuse to let this go unnoticed. It is also very apparent that male students are being punished, while female students seem to be overlooked. Growing up I have been taught not to generalize or stereotype people. The ban seems to ignore that and assumes that all people wearing bandanas are gang affiliated and dangerous.

For now most high school students should live under the assumption that bandanas are the root of all evil and anyone wearing one could be a threat to your safety and well-being. Stay safe out there.

You Lazy Duck

Jobs for teenagers give many benefits. You get your first taste of making your own money. Depending on how well off your family is you'll probably have much more money than without a job.

Finding jobs that are hiring is the hardest part. The best way to find jobs as a teenager is just to apply everywhere you possibly can, wait for a call and if you know a place is hiring, call them and ask if they've considered your application. That shows the employer you WANT the job.

Getting the job can make you feel anxious. When you get your first job it feels like you’re making a big change in your life. You’re accepting a lot of responsibility, you can now provide for yourself and you'll probably feel a lot more freedom in your life.

Jobs you get as a teenager are usually boring. I work at a movie theatre and at first it wasn't too bad. I work in the concession area and I get people popcorn and drinks and keep smiling no matter how much i just want to tell a customer off. There's a lot of downtime on slow days where I just stand there and do absolutely nothing.

During these slow times is where the main problem arises. My mind starts to wonder and I start to think about what else I could be doing. I look around and start to feel trapped and it’s not a enjoyable feeling.

If you don't enjoy your job after you've worked there a little while try to find a new one. It’s horrible when every minute that passes just teases you, getting closer to when you have to start work that day. A better job for me would be one where I'm doing a lot of moving around and staying busy. Find the job that suits you.