Piercing Where the Sun Doesn't Shine?

[Ideal08]

Originally posted by delph998
...but wanted to see where everybody else's head was regarding the issue. It really bothers me to see teachers with tongue piercings in visible places. Especially in this case, I believe teachers and administration should set the example to the students. I have tons of friends who are ADMINISTRATORS and have piercings in visble places--I don't really think that's professional, but it's just an opinion.

I am a teacher and I have a tongue piercing. What example, exactly, are we looking to set? To be conformists? I'm GOOD at what I do, and I'm glad that my administrators recognize that. Teenagers especially have a hard time just being themselves. If they want to get a piercing as a way of expressing themselves, and their parents don't have a problem with it, I say go for it!! That is not to say that we are not teaching them what they will have to face when they get out in the world. Yes, I have told my students when I got the piercing and the types of jobs that I had before I got it, as well as the types of jobs that I had after i got it. So they get both sides of it. They are well aware that it is unacceptable in MANY areas of the workforce. So the assumption that we are not setting a good example based on an accessory we choose to wear is simply not a good one. I have had parents that have told me that because of me their daughters want piercings. Some will let them get them at 16 some at 18, but not ONE parent has been upset about it in the least. All of my parents LOVE the relationship that I have with their daughters. They would much rather have me (with my tongue piercing and afro) because they know that I care about the girls and am serious about preparing them for their future instead of a prim and proper "professional" who cares more about her resume and business suit than the progress of the child (and they do exist; not all educators care about kids is what I'm learning at my school).

Let me just end here, because I have gone off on a tangent. I just hate to be judged by a piercing, especially saying I'm setting a bad example. I just can't get with that.