Fake tans banned at school
Categories: Kids 8-11, Teens & tweens
When I first moved from Texas to New York, one of the first things I noticed was how tan everyone was. Considering the fact that it was the middle of winter, I was puzzled. I eventually caught on to the fact that these northerners hadn't all just returned from sun-soaked vacations. They had been partaking of the latest beauty trend: spray tanning.
That was about seven years ago. Since then, spray tanning has become common everywhere. I've even tried it myself. But these days, it isn't just pale-skinned adults taking advantage of the fake tan. Young girls are now coating themselves in what is basically skin dye and the results are not always attractive. Instead of a warm bronze color, many end up looking a bit on the orange side.
In fact, at the Baines School in the U.K., Headteacher Carol Robinson has had it with her orange students. She has sent a letter home to parents asking for their help in enforcing a fake tan ban. "We ask for your support in ensuring girls do not come to school looking varying shades of orange. We have young girls coming in to school, 11 and 12, that feel pressured to go out and daub themselves in this orange."
According to Robinson, the pressure is coming from celebrities like Jordan and Jodie Marsh. "Those celebrities are not 12 and 13. They are all a lot older and that is fine, they are not in school."
Back when I was that age, if you wanted a nice tan, you had to be willing to put in the time. That meant spending half the summer bored and sweaty in a lawn chair in the back yard. Maybe those Baines girls need to embrace their own school motto: Nil Sine Labore (Nothing Without Effort).
That was about seven years ago. Since then, spray tanning has become common everywhere. I've even tried it myself. But these days, it isn't just pale-skinned adults taking advantage of the fake tan. Young girls are now coating themselves in what is basically skin dye and the results are not always attractive. Instead of a warm bronze color, many end up looking a bit on the orange side.
In fact, at the Baines School in the U.K., Headteacher Carol Robinson has had it with her orange students. She has sent a letter home to parents asking for their help in enforcing a fake tan ban. "We ask for your support in ensuring girls do not come to school looking varying shades of orange. We have young girls coming in to school, 11 and 12, that feel pressured to go out and daub themselves in this orange."
According to Robinson, the pressure is coming from celebrities like Jordan and Jodie Marsh. "Those celebrities are not 12 and 13. They are all a lot older and that is fine, they are not in school."
Back when I was that age, if you wanted a nice tan, you had to be willing to put in the time. That meant spending half the summer bored and sweaty in a lawn chair in the back yard. Maybe those Baines girls need to embrace their own school motto: Nil Sine Labore (Nothing Without Effort).
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Leslie K 7-28-2008 @ 10:12AM
Oompa Loompas only look good in the movies.
Leslie K
http://www.supplementinfo.org
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carly 7-29-2008 @ 10:57PM
Not all spray tans make you look orange,it is just outrageous to to try an ban anyone from this,clearly there is a lack of knowledge, on spray tanning, would you rather fry your skin in tanning beds, really get a freaking clue!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will help you with your first clue there are NO known harmful chemicals in spray tanning products,Glad to be in the U.S.A where you can be any color you want! do your research Carol Robinson you claim to be a teacher, your sounding more like a controlling ass !!!!
Max and Chloe 7-28-2008 @ 11:05AM
That stuff really can't be good for anyone especially growing girls. I'm not sure if a ban is necessary from the school but parents should definitely encourage their kids to be happy without the spray.
www.maxandchloe.com/blog
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Jan Bay 7-28-2008 @ 12:11PM
I really don't like the idea of my girls thinking that they have to spray chemicals on their bodies to look good for the same reasons that I don't like chemical hair removal systems. The chemicals that we have to live with are worrisome enough without adding any to the mix.
The problem that I can see with the ban of orange fake tans at the school would be that it might send more girls to the tanning beds. Trips to the tanning salons may be even more unhealthy than the cosmetically unappealing results of skin dyes. Some mothers might be stupid and shallow enough to cave in to their kid's addiction to tanning to buy tanning sessions for young girls that would increase the risk of skin cancer later in life rather than to take the time to reinforce a positive self image.
If I had approached my mother about buying stuff to artificially change the color of my skin or a subscription to a tanning salon the answer would have been, "You don't need any of that". End of story. I would have been upset for a while and maybe jealous of the kids whose moms took the easy way out, but the reinforcement that my skin color was completely acceptable as it was would have been a good life lesson.
Jan from http://www.unique-baby-gear-ideas.com/
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John Dumas 7-29-2008 @ 8:15PM
In the 70's the students would have fought invasions into their personal lives, kids are just fat lazy sheep now. No sit ins, no strikes, not even a whimper.
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Lisa W 7-29-2008 @ 8:22PM
That's right...much better to bake in the sun and earn yourself a melanoma rather than bother the head teacher with orange-hued teens. Wish all educators were as smart as she is...
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Becky 7-29-2008 @ 8:24PM
I don't think it's a good idea for young girls to tan however I think schools go overboard in enforcing policies they have no right to impose on kids and their parents. Schools need to stop limiting kids' right to express themselves. I graduated in 1990 when there was a very lenient dress code and obviously the ever increasing attempt by schools to make all kids look the same has not worked. If anything kids dress worse than they used to and there is more discontent. Dictating to kids and parents what students can wear, what school supplies they can use--it has really gotten out of hand and parents need to stand up the school boards over some their ridiculous policies that tell parents how to raise their kids and how to spend their money.
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cinlam15 7-29-2008 @ 8:44PM
first off orange skin has nothing to do with learning. and is none of the teachers business. and yes dye may be a health hazzard. however going to get a tan in a tanning bed or the sun is way more dangerous. the school should mind their own business.
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Dani 7-29-2008 @ 8:45PM
That is crazy! Maybe this teacher finds the fake tans unattractive and I would have to agree, it is very unattractive when it goes wrong and turns orange BUT.......she has no right to tell people what to do with their own bodies.
Ok, if the parents do not allow it and they want to tell their kids not to use it that is different.This teacher has NO right to even make such a request I mean, they are NOT hurting anyone and if that is the way they want to look then sooooo be it. GET OVER IT LADY!!!!!!
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handsomestrgr33 7-29-2008 @ 8:52PM
I feel that we live in a free society. Unless there is a health problem with such products I dont see any reason a person shouldnt use them, if its ok with their parents. I know the natural way as some call it exposes you to alot of radiation from the sun. If the spray is safer wouldnt we be actually helping the kids to be healthier? I know alot of people have their preferences but isnt that why we have freedom? If they are dressed appropriately and not dissrupting classes with it whats the problem? This sounds like another person trying to force their views and opinons down everyone elses throut. What if we told them teachers cant wear makeup? Its not professional. They wouldnt stand for it! I say let parents make decisions about THEIR KIDS!!! Isnt that their job? Teachers should stick to teaching if they can.
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nicole 7-29-2008 @ 9:01PM
true, there is a lot of pressure on teens these days. but fake tanning is better than laying in the sun for hours and putting yourself at a higher risk of getting skin cancer.
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shawn hadden 7-29-2008 @ 10:52PM
when will people learn this is whats make our country crazy. worry about yourselfs, thats what makes us american. to be able to be free and look the way we want. who the hell is that teacher to say whats right and wrong if she doesnt wantt be tan thats her choice who is she to ask parents to make them stop. whats wrong with this country. people like this is why students in grade school dont do play anymore , we trick or treat at the mall and lidfe is such a bore than it used too. mind your own buisness and live your own lives
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steve zodiac 7-30-2008 @ 2:31PM
The teacher is doing her thing to stop the collapse of civilisation in the face of unmitigated attack by orange retards. Without the resolve and commitment of people Doing The Right Thing, we will end up with a society of dimwitted orange oompa loompas, like these morons:
http://www.hotchickswithdouchebags.com/uploaded_images/Prompa2-745262.jpg
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Tori 7-31-2008 @ 6:58AM
Actually I kind of agree with her. The girls at my school don't use the spray tan though. They go tanning then load on the bronzer. It really disgusts me because they look like oranges. Blahh. Plus I know this one girl that actually looks way older -- older then she's supposed to.
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Becky 7-31-2008 @ 10:23AM
Spray tanners at salons are sugar based products discovered from a diabetes medication a couple of decades ago, not some foreign chemicals. Many, if not most, doctors and dermatologists will suggest spray tanners and sunless tanners over laying in the sun which is a sure-fire way to get yourself premature age spots, wrinkles, and the obvious - skin cancer - which IS deadly, unlike the sugar based tanner. The writer of this opinion piece is encouraging very dangerous behavior with her final statement. I hope she doesn't have children that she is encouraging to go sunbathe.
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Jan Bay 7-31-2008 @ 9:59PM
So long as they aren't hurting themselves or being a classroom distraction, I agree that the teacher probably should find a better battle to fight, but I still think that it's good to teach the kids that they are fine without altering their color or appearance with surgery.
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Mar 8-02-2008 @ 7:56AM
Fake tans are disgusting- I wish they'd ban them over here.
Not only do you look like you've taken part in some weird science lab experement, but as everyone knows it extremely unhealthy for your skin! Stop baking yourself in an oven and go outside, are we that lazy in America?
I dont know why people fake tan, I still dont know why people smoke, I still dont know why people drink alcohol- but well, just looks like us americans are self distructive people, we must like killing ourselves.
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