American Schools Lose Sanity

I read an absolutely crazy article today: The 6 Dumbest Things Schools are Doing in the Name of Safety

We are talking electronic tracking devices, banning photography, monetary fines and prison jumpsuits for Dress code Violations. This is madness! It's making ever so proud of my kids' overly liberal school that I like to refer to as The Harvard School of Finger Painting.

I would pay money to see the reaction of Brazilians if a school did this down here. There's already talk that the British School is too strict because the kids have to sit at desks for long periods of time. I mean we're all about education but where the hell is the line?!

For starters, are the kids going to pay the fines? My 4 yr has yet to get a job, no matter how much I mention it to him. Damn child labor laws. So the money is coming out of my pocket. This makes me think that the schools are trying to hit parents where it hurts as a means of getting them involved in their children's scholarly lives. Well, when I say it that way it kind of makes sense. Maybe the "boys will be boys" attitude would disappear if it costs the parents $50 a pop.

But electronic tracking devices? Half the fun of high school is attempting to skip. The school eventually notices anyway. I know this partially due to the fact that American public schools receive funding based on attendance. Obviously you want the kids there because you get paid next to nothing even then, but let me point something out. Aren't kids supposed to learn accountability? Will that happen if they are on an electronic leash? Hell, your dog never learned to heel by being tied to the side of the house all day. Yes, I just compared kids with dogs. I have 2 so I'm allowed.

My personal favorite is the ban on photography as a means to deter pedophilia. Thank goodness they figured out that Chester Molester only acts when he/she can take pictures.

Freaking hell people, let the kids have photographic evidence of their memories from school. Let parents put together scrap books and teachers remember the children who innocently touched them. I mean, Americans would just crap themselves down here in Brazil. It is not uncommon for kids to take baths at school. They also put out kiddie pools in the hottest months and if parents forget bathing suits those kids go in their underwear if they want to. If this were the states the entire place would be shut down!

Of course I understand that we have to protect our kids but there are some things that they have to figure out for themselves (minus molestation of course). It's ok to give limits but to control, ban, and fine them is ridiculous.

For goodness sake America, you are really making it hard for me to ever want to live there! Don't worry, I'll always come back for a visit. What you lack in sanity you make up for in shopping and crap food.