Why aren't hats allowed in schools?

[SinisterGehe]

Because it is polite not to wear outdoor clothes during class, because it looks like you are ready to run out of the class any second.

In my school (In Finland tho) Boys or girls are not allowed to wear jackets or hats during class.
But basically, if the school rules say so... You don't wear a hat in school. They could ban baggy clothing or pink underwear if they want to.

 

[subjectseven]

To be honest, all 6 points as to why hats aren't allowed in schools are somewhat reasonable. Even if none of them are big deals, the school is still effectively dealing with many small potential issues in one go.

On the other hand, I don't see that many people anywhere wearing hats these days anyways.

 

[Sexy Devil]

What gang do you represent if you're wearing a top hat?

Some classy bastards, that's for sure.

Well that's an interesting captcha, it's almost completely blacked out over the text.

 

[similar.squirrel]

Because they block the psychic waves that are designed to suppress the urge to dissent. Bald heads reflect said waves. This is why rougher schools generally have more hat-wearing and shaven-headedness.

 

[JLML]

Well, hats are allowed in my school. Though I live in Sweden, so stuff is probably a bit different here. Still, if hats weren't allowed in my school, then I would switch school. Yea, hats are THAT important to me.

Also:

1. It is impolite to wear hats indoors. Men should always remove their hats when entering a building.
Then you damn well better fix some hat shelves where I can put it. And those shelves damn well better be safe enough that my hat won't be missing/ruined/something else when I come back.
2. They can block the view of people behind them.
So can my hairstyle.
3. The colours are often associated with gangs.
Like fuck they are. Since when is BLACK, GRAY OR BROWN gang colours? Since, you know, it's more or less impossible to not wear any clothing of one of those colours.
4. People play games with them, taking them and playing keep away, etc.
Yea... No.
5. Hats can increase the transmission of lice.
If you have a hat on and no one else uses it, it helps PREVENTING transmission of lice.
6. They can be used to conceal weapons or cheating implements.
Yea, if they ban hats for that, they might as well ban pants.

 

[Idsertian]

Because this:

Spoiler

Also, stop being an anti-social dick and follow the rules, they're there for a reason. Without rules/laws, there would be no civilised society, thusly you wouldn't have the privileged opportunity to ***** about a minor rule that affects you for a tiny amount of your time.

When I went to school, you had to wear a uniform, hats were not a part of that uniform, therefore, they went off the moment you stepped inside.

"Fuck da man" for the sake of "fuck da man" is not cool and means nothing.

 

[Wushu Panda]

I hate the no hat rule. Prevents my Top Hat gang from loitering looking awesome.

 

[Nico4]

THat is stupid. x.x In Denmark (or at least at my schools), hats are allowed, but it's up to the teacher whenever or not he and she will allow you to wear it during class. I do it anyway

 

[Folksoul]

(assuming OP lives in NA and does not have a uniform policy in place)

Are you: Outside? In a room with a skylight on a really bright day? Bald? Covering an embarrassing skin disorder on your scalp? Afflicted with lice? Orthodox Jewish or another religion mandating hats in public? Photophobic? Albino? In a room approaching or past freezing temperature?

If the answer is no, then there is no reason to ever wear a hat at school.

Self expression though your wardrobe is not a right. You are not being oppressed. You are in a work environment with a dress code. If you wish to receive the product they are offering, your education, you must follow the rules. The school code of conduct you/your guardian signed at the start of the year is a contract with the school district. You do X to receive Y. In this case If you act according to these guidelines and put effort into your studies you will receive an education and hopefully never have to say "would you like fries with that?" ever again.


About the "expressing your individuality" argument, I hope it's just the hat and you don't have gratuitous facial piercings or hard to conceal tattoos. If you do, good luck finding a job after you graduate. You just disqualified yourself from almost every job that involves working where you can be seen. Unless you can work from home or find a REALLY open minded company... enjoy your parents basement.

 

[Belaam]

2. They can block the view of people behind them.
So can my hairstyle.

Many schools also ban some hairstyles.

3. The colours are often associated with gangs.
Like fuck they are. Since when is BLACK, GRAY OR BROWN gang colours? Since, you know, it's more or less impossible to not wear any clothing of one of those colours.

Black and Gray aren't gang colors? You've never heard of gangs using Raiders stuff? I know you're in Sweden, but I thought that was pretty iconic. I have worked at schools in high gang areas where students were not allowed to wear red or blue, also.

What is the gain for the student? How are their lives enriched by wearing a hat in class that makes up for the half dozen minor problems caused by them? School administrations have enough ridiculousness to deal with that anything that cuts into that is generally welcome.

 

[Roganzar]

There might be gangs in Raleigh, NC, but if there are, they only do graffitti. Big deal.

Also, the hat in question I want to wear is made of leather. It's brown. What gang uses brown leather as a symbol? The Raging 'Roos?

All the gangs are in Durham, actually.
There is am actual gang problem in the Triangle. Not a L.A. type gang problem, but there is one none the less.

 

[Vrach]

Why do I have this image of you (or well, since I don't know you, a random person) walking around a school in a top hat?

 

[Plinglebob]

Aside from all the many good reasons listed here, schools are there to educate children and two of the things they teach is you can't have your own way all the time and sometimes there are rules you may not like, but have to comply with (in my day it was mobile phones). When you get out of the nice and safe educational environment you will have to get a job and unless you somehow get the funding right away for your own business, the place you are employed in will almost certainly have a written (or unwritten) dresscode which if you don't follow, you will get dumped in the shitter.

 

[DarthFennec]

Hats were allowed at my high school ... not at my middle school though. Although, camouflage-patterned clothes, sunglasses, and chewing gum weren't allowed at my middle school either ...

On one hand, I don't see why wearing a hat is all that important to you, but then again I never wore hats so I wouldn't know. On the other hand though, it does seem like a stupid thing for a school to ban, and those seem like even stupider reasons. `The colors are often associated with gangs'? The colors, really? Going to ban shirts too? People might associate shirt colors with gangs. Which colors are `gang colors', exactly? I have a Dark Side of the Moon shirt and a Rainbow Dash shirt, and they each happen to have all the colors on them, so obviously I can't wear those. I have a wide range of shirts in a wide range of colors, I hope none of them offend anybody. What the hell kind of a stupid reason is that?

While we're at it, let's come up with even more stupid reasons:
- Sometimes people accidentally sit on their hats, and the school board is looking out for students by taking a stand against this.
- A lot of serial killers wore hats, and we don't want students to be influenced to be serial killers.
- If hats are allowed, inevitably someone will wear one inside out, which looks really tacky.
- The presence of hats might influence prejudice and cliques, and we want a more integrated and united school.
- Some students may not remove their hats while reciting the pledge of allegiance, and that is very disrespectful.

I could go on but I won't.

I don't care how outdated it is, hats (and by extension sunglasses) inside is rude. They no longer serve their purpose of protecting you from the sun and hinder polite conversation. Plus no matter what some kids think, wearing a Fedora (or commonly a Trilby mistaken for a fedora) does not make you cool.

I think people should be allowed to express themselves in whatever stupid way they want, cool or not, rude or not. Especially high schoolers, considering that is generally the age that you figure out your identity and separate yourself from the world, so for them, the more personal freedom, the better. Also, I wore tinted glasses in high school, and I still wear them today. Sometimes there's a good reason for it. My reason is that my eyes are highly sensitive, and I get big throbbing headaches and am therefore unable to focus and learn when exposed to too much light (and the fluorescent bulbs used in schools and offices are definitely over that threshold). If my high school had banned sunglasses I could probably have gotten in as a special case, but personally I just think that's stupid. People should wear what they want, it's not hurting anyone.

 

[daftalchemist]

However, I do think it is a little silly just because girls can wear their slouchy berets and stuff, but baseball caps have to be taken off for some reason. Just so long as kid aren't coming in with huge ten-gallon hats that block everyone's view of the board, I really don't see a problem with it.

This. I never understood why guys couldn't wear baseball caps (the only kind of hats they would care about at that age) but girls can wear any god damn thing they want in their hair or on their head. Of course, my objections were more along the lines of "they should have to take theirs off too!" than "let me wear my hat!" Applies the rules to everyone or no one, please. No applying them only to one gender.

I think it's just also rooted in tradition. Traditionally, men had to take their hats off in a building to show respect, be a gentleman, etc. But woman were required to keep their hats on for reasons I don't entirely understand. Bottom line, we're an ass-backwards country still clinging to traditions that just don't make any sense anymore.

Though to be honest, I think hats are the least of school dress code worries now that 85% of boys seem to think it's cool to have their underwear hanging out. So there's a double-standard for the guys, I guess, because any girl who goes around with her thong hanging out in the back is considered a whore and needs to cover up, while guys are going for some sort of "fashion" style. People may think it's ridiculous (and they do), but they don't look down on it nearly as much as a girl with her undies hanging out.

 

[Double A]

People saying jackets are offensive/banned in their country: My school allows people to wear jackets.

And without further ado, more responses. This forum really needs a multiquote button.

Spoiler

I'm absolutely dumbfounded by the inanity of the majority of the posters in this thread. You look at the topic. You choose to read the post. You formulate a response. You take the time to right down that response, essentially complaining about the original poster not making effective use of his time or whining about trivial bullshit. And you don't see the problem with that? The hypocrisy is so thick I could gag on it!

I like this guy.

snip

There are maybe 10 hat racks in my city. I suppose that would mean hats indoors are more offensive across the pond. The only time I take mine off is if it's inconvenient (ex: driving, laying down), and no one ever gets mad.

I guess I'd spit my gum out if I was talking to a cop. I don't think it's offensive as long as you're smacking it, or blowing bubbles when talking to someone.

Also, that's awesome that you push up the brim of your hat. I've never seen anyone do that IRL. It'd be cool.

I just move my hat so the brim in the back goes down while the front goes up. Of course, since my hat is soft leather, I can bend my brim in very fun ways.

Whenever I see people wearing hats indoors I'm thinking that they ...;

1: Feel the incessant need to have an additional inch or two on the people they talk to.
2: Aren't exceptionally clever. (Hat wearers in enclosed vehicles. Really? Car drivers are bad enough without the need of yet *another* thing that will provide a distraction.)
3: Are bald(ing) and so very depressed about it.

I'm going to say '1' on your list is enough to enforce early attitudes of politeness. It *is* rude to wear a hat indoors. If you don't like it, get a fascinator. Though I doubt that will serve you so well in a school environment.

I'm actually above average height. My hat doesn't do jack.
I would argue that I'm clever. I certainly don't wear my hat when driving a car because it's full brim. I might wear a cap if my favorite one wasn't so close to breaking.
Two of my friends say I'm gonna be bald by 30, but that happened this week, and I've been wearing my hat constantly since the winter or spring.

Considering I'm not a girl, crossdresser, or transvestite, I don't think a fascinator would be appropriate for ever. Plus they look uncomfortable.

You know why teachers enforce all these little rules?

Because parents expect teachers and school institutions to rear their kids for them and teach them civil conduct and proper social skills to boot. You know, rather than a history teacher who teaches history, oh no. Parents aren't getting enough value for their tax there, Heaven forbid if parents were to actually teach their kids proper manners and civil conduct.

I think I've brought up society issues before, but I'm not going to fault you for not reading them. Still, I agree, it's ridiculous.

So, given that teachers now need to teach etiquette and basic social skills... what strikes you as strange about them simply saying "No hats in class"?

Because I hadn't thought much about it before. I went to private school pre-K to 9th. They actually taught stuff at those. Weird, I know.

Also, may I remind you that you're in the company of someone who (on average) has spent 5 years in university and should be seen as a professional who deserves respect from all stratum of society. A quintessential role and duty. Every observance of civil discourse between student and teacher should be enforced, even if parents don't see such needs.

I respect teachers who aren't assholes. I don't respect school boards who only think they're doing right and don't listen when suggestions are made.

Hats are considered impolite because you always put your hat on when you're going to leave. To keep your hat on is to amek sure you can leave quicker. Not a very good reason, just trying to answer your question.

It takes a fraction of a second to flip my hat onto my head. That's pretty shite reasoning.

What gang do you represent if you're wearing a top hat?

The local steampunk one.

Because Gabe wants them all for Team Fortress 2.

I guess I should wear two hats so I can get +5% accuracy to better defend myself.

It blocks the teacher's view of your face so he/she can see if you're sleeping or not...

My teachers can't tell when I'm sleeping anyway.
Protip: Use a waterbottle as a chin rest.

To be honest, all 6 points as to why hats aren't allowed in schools are somewhat reasonable. Even if none of them are big deals, the school is still effectively dealing with many small potential issues in one go.

Obviously I don't think so.

On the other hand, I don't see that many people anywhere wearing hats these days anyways.

That's another reason why I wear a hat: I stand out in a crowd better. It helps to get noticed.

Still debating whether that's a good or bad thing, but either way, it's not stopping me. The only vocal reactions I get are "Nice hat," etc.

Because this:

Spoiler

Also, stop being an anti-social dick and follow the rules, they're there for a reason. Without rules/laws, there would be no civilised society, thusly you wouldn't have the privileged opportunity to ***** about a minor rule that affects you for a tiny amount of your time.

When I went to school, you had to wear a uniform, hats were not a part of that uniform, therefore, they went off the moment you stepped inside.

"Fuck da man" for the sake of "fuck da man" is not cool and means nothing.

I am following the rules. I am also exercising my right to free speech by complaining about said rules.

I'm not complaining for the sake of complaining. I actually want to wear my hat. Sorry for wanting an individualized style, unlike everyone else.

- Some students may not remove their hats while reciting the pledge of allegiance, and that is very disrespectful.

I could go on but I won't.

Saying the pledge isn't mandatory (and a right I often exercise). It got me gently punched in the arm one time, but do I give a shit? No. They think it's rude, I don't, so it's not my problem. And I hate to say it, but to eliminate a double standard and to show I'm for srs, WBC should be able to do all the crazy picketing it wants. If I lose a friend over a hat/not saying the pledge, then I don't really care. WBC probably feels the same way.

Now I feel dirty and need to go wash my hands.

snip

This was another point I tried to make somewhere, but it got overshadowed because the guy I was talking to wasn't listening.

Tinted glasses are awesome by the way.

 

[Crazy]

The question is why would you want to wear hats inside of school.

 

[Caverat]

Eh, not an issue. It is impolite to wear a hat indoors, and while attending a school you are subject to its rules regarding behavior. When you grow up you'll encounter it all the time, if you get a job your employer might decide to have a dress code, as is their right.

Also, restaurants can tell you to take off your hat, if you refuse, they can refuse service and tell you to leave their private property. Refusal of that is cause for them to have the police remove you.

I don't spit, and if I did, I wouldn't do it indoors on the floor. It'd be impolite. I also remove any head-dress I'm wearing when entering a building for the same reason.

Raging about this sort of thing is just really childish.

 

[TheAmazingHobo]

I think it should be up to individual teachers, whether or not hats should be allowed in their classes.
Blocking a part of your face makes it more difficult to engage with you specifically or to judge the current mood in the class as a whole (if more than a handful of students do something to conceal part of their face). Some teachers won´t mind that, some do, which should be reason enough to justify taking of a hat.

It blocks the teacher's view of your face so he/she can see if you're sleeping or not...

My teachers can't tell when I'm sleeping anyway.
Protip: Use a waterbottle as a chin rest.

Have you and your parents ever considered an alternate form of education ? I always thought America allows for non-standard education models and as you seem to have trouble following basic social norms and are apparently either not interested or bored by what goes on in the classroom, maybe this just isn´t the right environment for you ?

Edit: Just on a personal note, because I hear this "the teacher can´t tell anyway"-thing pretty often. Having taught a couple of tutoriums at university, I feel I can say this with some authority:
The teacher can tell. Always. At a glance.
They also hear most whispers, even those coming from the back (though usually not what is said, just that something is said). This is due to the position of the teachers in the classroom.
Most of the time, it is a deliberate decision to ignore it, as confronting the student is way more trouble than its worth, usually.

 

[MASTACHIEFPWN]

If VALVe started a school, hats would be mandatory for everyone.

But the hats would have to be downright crazy.