The Hazy World of Restrooms and The Rules
I have always been that kid who just nods their head and stays quiet. I don't go against what teachers say, and I could barely get the courage to raise my hand just to ask a question! Now, I'm a senior in high school, ready to find out what ‘college life’ is really like, and as I keep growing up, I am becoming more comfortable with using the voice I was meant to use and bringing volume. So, that leads us to the bathroom rules and what goes on behind the stalls.
These last couple of years, the school has been putting more rules and regulations in place on how we use the bathroom. Don't get me wrong; I understand we have a real infestation with the “nic fiends.” But the question is, are they taking things a little too extreme and missing the whole point? How will these rules affect students and the teacher’s relationships and ways of communicating? There is a major problem with the bathroom situation, and it does need to be taken care of, but are the tactics they use really effective, or are they making the problem worse?
When it’s passing time, I will check in with my teacher and let them know I’m going to use the restroom so they don’t mark me absent, when I am about to enter the office of “nic fiends.” All I see is one after another, security walking out after their standing and observing routine; they do this to make sure people are using the restroom with integrity and respect. This is understandable, but the part where the line needs to be drawn is when they are trying to intimidate or rush students when they just get in. There have been times when I go into the bathroom and security stands at the door or in the walkway of the restroom; I know we need to have more respect for the bathroom and the people who keep it clean for us, but does intimidation or high security ever REALLY work?
Students will keep doing what they want if they know they won’t get in hard trouble for what they do. I hate to be the one to say this, but all the standing and knocking on stalls won’t get kids scared enough to stop. The school district needs to put harsher punishments in place for getting caught for going against school rules and doing something illegal while underage.
The clicking clock on our phones for how long we can use the restroom is unrealistic. I don’t mean to use the flimsy excuse of “I am barely getting to the restroom in 8 minutes.” However, it really is hard when the closest restroom to you is locked, so you have to walk to the other side of the school just to find out that one is locked, too. I can see where people would view these as solutions, but when you limit youth who are ready to push back and use their voices, they cannot do so. There will be repercussions and rebellion, and the school will have to face it.
It’s the same as the IDs. Teachers tell us to put them on, and a good number of people listen, but the ones who can slip through the cracks and not get told to put it on show a disregard for authority. Our security guards are doing what they are asked to do, but it feels intimidating to kids who may have forgotten their ID and ignored by the kids who know nothing will happen to them if they disregard security’s requests. I hate seeing graffiti on the walls of the stalls and underclassmen getting in fights because their “opp” looked at their man. School is supposed to be a safe place where young minds are supposed to be shaped so they can go off and find out their opinions and beliefs, not a boxing UFC fighting event. We need to build a community and show our peers and teachers that we care about our future and are trying to show us how to achieve our goals.
This was not meant to point fingers at people, but students, if you hate going into the bathroom as much as I do, then do something about it. Let the student know that they should quit hitting the robo tech that is slowly frying up their brain cells that haven’t even fully developed yet. And 2nd, they are making school a more dangerous place by bringing in things that could have real consequences for their education and future. As for the teachers, don’t bash kids; lead those students on the right path and show them they have more support than they know. It could really help.
Going into a problem like this head-on doesn’t always give out the best results. We are all trying to get to the same goal: graduation. Don’t make things harder for yourself, your friends, or peers with reckless behavior. If we show them that we can be better and respectful, maybe just maybe they will let us use the restroom during the assembly. Again the system only works if you work.