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School bans polka dots and stripes
Categories: Preschoolers, Weird But True, Education
My husband likes to joke that I have 'easily annoyed syndrome.' I prefer the term 'highly sensitive', but crowds, whining dogs and rap music (among other things) totally stress me out and make me tense. I might be easily ruffled by some everyday sights and sounds, but this nursery school teacher in Sweden has me beat by a mile when it comes to being sensitive.
She finds multi-colored clothing unbearable to look at. She claims to get migraine headaches looking at stripes and polka dots and the school has bowed to her sensitivities. In order to make her comfortable at work, students at the school have been banned from wearing such clothing. If a kid comes to school in an outfit that is deemed 'inappropriate' , he or she is made to change into something less colorful.
If you think that sounds a bit weird, you aren't alone. Local official Weine Backman says, "As a politician I think it sounds a pretty strange to force pre-school children to have a certain type of clothing. We don't have such regulations in this municipality."
If I was a parent at that school, I think I would have to take issue with this as well. I don't doubt that this teacher truly has a problem with loud clothing, but perhaps she is in the wrong line of work. Can she stand the sight of a box of crayons? What about finger painting? Is that out, too? Really, should the needs of one person override the rights of all the others to enjoy some color in their lives?
She finds multi-colored clothing unbearable to look at. She claims to get migraine headaches looking at stripes and polka dots and the school has bowed to her sensitivities. In order to make her comfortable at work, students at the school have been banned from wearing such clothing. If a kid comes to school in an outfit that is deemed 'inappropriate' , he or she is made to change into something less colorful.
If you think that sounds a bit weird, you aren't alone. Local official Weine Backman says, "As a politician I think it sounds a pretty strange to force pre-school children to have a certain type of clothing. We don't have such regulations in this municipality."
If I was a parent at that school, I think I would have to take issue with this as well. I don't doubt that this teacher truly has a problem with loud clothing, but perhaps she is in the wrong line of work. Can she stand the sight of a box of crayons? What about finger painting? Is that out, too? Really, should the needs of one person override the rights of all the others to enjoy some color in their lives?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
SKL 2-14-2008 @ 3:37PM
Interesting question, considering that a significant percentage of the posts on this forum are about how the needs, sensitivities, or even preferences of one person SHOULD override those of everyone else. (Unless, of course, they are conservative sensitivities.)
I guess the real question is whether adapting the dress code is reasonable accommodation for the teacher's physical challenges. I think in the USA this might go either way depending on where the question might arise and how the judge leans. Most likely where I live the teacher would be counseled to get another job if she couldn't deal with stripes and spots.
Reply
mamacheryl 2-14-2008 @ 6:23PM
At first I was outraged and thought she was ridiculous. It seems like an oversensitive, emotional response rather than a physical problem.
But then I thought of my sister-in-law who can't stand the smell of candles, scented lotions or perfume. She gets headaches. And then there's my friend who is allergic to wool and carnations and a host of dietary allergens. Oh, and my "weirdo" friend who is a celiac and can't eat wheat.
I'm a person with very few sensitivities, if any. When I was younger, I thought people who had issues like that were just making it up for attention or blowing their "symptoms" out of proportion.
Time and experience made me realize that it's a ridiculous stance to take, and now I try to be considerate of other people who have special requirements. That all being said, I think this woman should probably consider a different profession... or at least move to a district that has school uniforms.
Sometimes, accommodations for people with special needs can't be made. It's unfortunate, but it's a fact of life. Every effort should be made to figure out a way, but this case seems a little extraordinary.
Cheryl
http://redpens-diapers.blogspot.com
http://skinnymeals.blogspot.com
Reply
mamacheryl 2-14-2008 @ 6:23PM
At first I was outraged and thought she was ridiculous. It seems like an oversensitive, emotional response rather than a physical problem.
But then I thought of my sister-in-law who can't stand the smell of candles, scented lotions or perfume. She gets headaches. And then there's my friend who is allergic to wool and carnations and a host of dietary allergens. Oh, and my "weirdo" friend who is a celiac and can't eat wheat.
I'm a person with very few sensitivities, if any. When I was younger, I thought people who had issues like that were just making it up for attention or blowing their "symptoms" out of proportion.
Time and experience made me realize that it's a ridiculous stance to take, and now I try to be considerate of other people who have special requirements. That all being said, I think this woman should probably consider a different profession... or at least move to a district that has school uniforms.
Sometimes, accommodations for people with special needs can't be made. It's unfortunate, but it's a fact of life. Every effort should be made to figure out a way, but this case seems a little extraordinary.
Cheryl
http://redpens-diapers.blogspot.com
http://skinnymeals.blogspot.com
Reply
mamacheryl 2-14-2008 @ 6:23PM
At first I was outraged and thought she was ridiculous. It seems like an oversensitive, emotional response rather than a physical problem.
But then I thought of my sister-in-law who can't stand the smell of candles, scented lotions or perfume. She gets headaches. And then there's my friend who is allergic to wool and carnations and a host of dietary allergens. Oh, and my "weirdo" friend who is a celiac and can't eat wheat.
I'm a person with very few sensitivities, if any. When I was younger, I thought people who had issues like that were just making it up for attention or blowing their "symptoms" out of proportion.
Time and experience made me realize that it's a ridiculous stance to take, and now I try to be considerate of other people who have special requirements. That all being said, I think this woman should probably consider a different profession... or at least move to a district that has school uniforms.
Sometimes, accommodations for people with special needs can't be made. It's unfortunate, but it's a fact of life. Every effort should be made to figure out a way, but this case seems a little extraordinary.
Cheryl
http://redpens-diapers.blogspot.com
http://skinnymeals.blogspot.com
Reply
Kelsey 2-14-2008 @ 8:29PM
Sandy, you brought up a good point. Young children like big, bold colors and patterns in their artwork. How can a preschool teacher who cannot stand striped clothing look at a child's artwork?
I have no proof to discredit her sensetivites, but it sounds really odd that an entire school changes its dress code policy for one teacher.
Reply
CLM 2-14-2008 @ 11:28PM
How on earth will all of those parents find bland clothing for their children? Unless you're buying high end stuff, it's pretty much primary colors and lots of graphics.
Reply
Jessica 2-15-2008 @ 2:20PM
Outrageous
Reply