Failure in the home?!

I recently wrote a research paper on gang identifiers. Schools across the nation have decided to institute clothing bans. Calumet High School in Chicago has banned black, white, and red clothing. Apparently, these colors are being linked to gangs. Are you serious? Black, White and Red? In Chicago? So much for the joys of childhood and supporting your local professional sports team. Now I for one support taking action to stamp out crime and protect our children, but do these people really think that banning clothing is the answer? Our society is becoming such a sucker for the "quick fix". We even repair the problems that this mentality creates with the same "quick fix" approach. Banning clothing in my opinion is a mere "band-aid" on the problem.

My personal opinion is that these restrictions on clothing are a violation of the rights of our beloved constitution. Adolescence is a complicated time in a young person’s life. I think that children need to express themselves as they struggle to find out where they fit in the “grand scheme of things.” Children should be able to wear whatever they wish so long as it is not blatantly offensive to others (i.e. curse words or sexually explicit material). It is healthy; it creates identity and can even lead to friendships and a sense of belonging.

Banning clothing is not the answer to the issues facing children today. So, what is the answer? If you ask me, more needs to be done in the home. We are failing in our duties as parents. We are failing in the home. "No success can compensate for failure in the home". Is banning clothing in school more important than parents taking an active role in their children’s lives? Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, the two teens that terrorized Columbine High School, had guns and explosives in their parent’s home without the parents being even slightly aware. I hardly believe that taking away their trench coats would have saved any lives, however, I would bet that more parental involvement in their lives would have. We are missing the mark and need to reevaluate where to focus our energies. Step up and be a parent. Teach your children correct principles and get involved in their lives.