I have a classmate in my graduate education classes who consistently comes to class with the tail of a pink or black lacy thong sticking out the back of her low-rise jeans. I have a problem with this. I am all for freedom of personal expression through dress; however, I believe that the workplace calls for some decorum, and that our classes are an extension of the workplace. This is literally the case for her, as she comes to class right after work as a paraprofessional in a school. I am making assumptions here, but all indicators point to her in a classroom, whaletail a-flapping.
Teachers are fighting to earn respect as professionals. Our program requires professional attire to help foster an image of competence. Does the whaletail do this?
I know, it's class. People wear jeans to class all the time. Tons of teachers wear jeans in the classroom. It's practical, it's comfortable, it's approachable. What, then, is the whaletail? What message does showing your thong send to a bunch of fifth graders? Do you really want that flag waving to them all day, saying, "Hey guys! While she's teaching you math, you should stare at this badonkadonk!" You can't really get upset with them for belting their pants around the knees when your own underwear is worn as an accessory.
Choosing to show one's underwear does NOT indicate a flaw in one's moral character. To say that treads dangerously close to the "she dressed like she asked for it" rape defense. I am too much a defender of women's rights to pass judgment on her like that, but I do wonder what she is thinking when she gets dressed in the morning?
Here's a tip to everyone who will enter the workforce soon (and I don't care if it's in retail, fast food, an office job, or teaching)-- if you would wear it to the club, you should not wear it to work. Period. Work clothes are not sexy enough for the club, and club clothes are too sexy for work. When you get dressed, ask yourself, "What am I freely expressing with this outfit, and is it the message I want to send?"
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Very true... I think most of the boys in her class would think that they're in anatomy instead of algebra... hence, low scores on their tests.
-Cheez Out-
So Whaletail is not NCLB compliant!
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
You guys are starting to confuse me with the NCLBs and BIBT and abcdefgs, when i read another one of your blogs i had to think for a second as to the definition of pda, luckily im a smart girl
and what is whaletail????
"Prefiero morir parada que vivir la vida en mis rodillas"
NCLB is No Child Left Behind. Whale tail is the whale tail-shaped triangle of a thong that often sticks out of the top of low rise jeans when the two are worn together. I don't know what BIBT means!
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
I made it up, but i also had to figure that out when saw GLBT, then i saw the post for all of the current homo lingo, i was off.
"Prefiero morir parada que vivir la vida en mis rodillas"
Thanks for the comment on my racism comment,
;-)
I meant it.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Definitely not! Poor, exploited young men are losing their educations on account of their teacher's clothing... ='(
-Cheez Out-
I'm glad that you mentioned the moral character thing, how her clothing does not represent flaws, etc. I'm in total agreement. I also believe, however, that professionalism requires strategy, and part of that strategy is presentation. The school at which I teach tends to be fairly laid back in terms of dress. I tend to be not often so concerned with how I look, so I struggle with simple things like, um, matching, or answering the question, "Is this TOO comfortable??" So it goes in lots of different ways... too comfortable, too sexy, too professional... the setting decides the dress code, and teaching is a setting that requires professionalism. The kids don't need a friend from the teacher (whether they need a friend or not) - they need a teacher.
So... well stated. The end. :)
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/kariskoett
That's a good way of looking at it. It's sort of like a marketing strategy, and you and your abilities are the product you are selling. I like that.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman