It has taken 8 months and one encounter with a student on the weekend to figure out the OTHER rules of the Dress Code at SFLS
Here is a smattering of photos of my (female) students - can you guess?
I didn't recognize Fransiska last Saturday when she called my name. Then, when she spoke again "Mary, what are you doing here?" I realized who she was. "I live here- this is where I shop" I said. It was because her super-long hair was loose and hanging around her face. It took me the weekend to figure it out. Then, on Monday I asked "Does the school make you tie your hair back?" "YES- and we think it's stupid" If a female student has hair shorter than her shoulders, she can wear it "loose". All others have to tie it back. No earrings, no nail polish, no make-up.
Like a good Sociologist, I always "triangulate". So, I kept asking in different classes and got the same answer: "Because school officials think we will concentrate on our looks, rather than on school"
I told them there are often MANY reasons and this is probably one. I told them it was for the MALE STUDENTS - so they don't get distracted from school.
My students also told me that in traditional Chinese culture, a "modest" unmarried woman always tied her hair back. Once she is married, she can wear it loose.
Wow- sometimes my eyes don't see.
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