Can cosmetics really make children happy?
Should children be allowed to wear makeup to school? Some parents agree that makeup should be barred, some disagree, some teachers agree, some disagree. The discussions go around in circles. It leaves the recurring question, what really is the problem with teenagers wearing makeup to school?
One main outstanding argument often brought up by school boards is that everyone should look equal. However, this basis fails to have any relevant implications regarding makeup. Makeup is cheap and affordable to any teen wishing to buy it and could be compared to judging people on how they like to wear their own hair. Makeup is not in the same league as privileged children wearing expensive clothes or shoes to school or a basis on which teens are regularly; bullied on. Therefore, I fail to see how a teenager’s personal choice could offend other classmates personally, as is argued when it is related to the uniform rule.
The school uniform rule hugely deals with keeping pupils looking equal. Even from far away, people see children’s uniforms not the makeup on their faces. So, the argument that makeup could somehow make some pupils act in a superior manner to others fails to include any evidence.
Understandably, if makeup was affecting pupils’ performance in class it would be a useful school rule to implement. But in my experience as a high school student, girls did not apply makeup during lessons. If this was a problem for some schools, perhaps they could compromise with pupils and they could allow them to wear it to school but not apply it in school so as not to distract them. Another possible issue with makeup would be it making pupils late for school in the morning. This would have a direct effect on some pupils learning if they were missing class to put their face on. However, on the flip side, several non-makeup wearers are late daily so would stopping teenagers wearing stop late coming issues? It’s doubtful.
Abigail Proverbs, 17, wears makeup to school everyday.
She said: “Sometimes it does (make me late), if I have a breakout, because it takes me ages to cover it. Or if it’s Friday and we’re going out straight after school I have to do my eyeshadow and fake lashes to last me all night.”
Despite head teachers and parents broadcasting the negatives of wearing makeup to school, some think that the practice it is not credited enough. For teenagers struggling with self-esteem issues, makeup really can greatly improve their confidence and therefore enjoyment of their experience at school.
Proverbs said: “I feel like it gives me more confidence because I feel ugly without it and I’m scared people will stare at my spots if I don’t wear it. All of my friends wear it as well so they would say I was weird if I didn’t.”
Many teens say they were bullied for acne or facial insecurities so use this to excuse them wearing it. However, surely this should not be the sole argument they debate their freedom to wear makeup on, as bullying can take any form so should be addressed by authoritative figures in the school to single out bullies. Christine Cunniffee, Head Teacher, said: “If there’s an issue with bullying, that has to be addressed separately.” Covering acne or colouring in their lips or whatever current trend is going around, truly does make teenagers happy. If we can allow this when it doesn’t affect their learning, then why deprive a pupil of a self-confidence boost?
Proverbs said: “Some of the girls that don’t wear makeup get embarrassed when the boys say things to them about their skin and some girls who wear fake tan and lots of makeup get called orange and people say they look like clowns.”
Another debated issue is age. Makeup does not have age guidelines. Common sense really comes into play here. Of course cosmetics should not be used on a child’s sensitive skin, but when children transform into teenagers, their whole body is changing so why not let them experiment with their own face?
Proverbs said: “Ever since I started wearing it like a year ago I can’t stop, and I think I’ll be wearing it forever.”
Many teachers telling pupils not to wear makeup are wearing it themselves in the professional school environment, which demonstrates hypocrisy and a weakly structured argument to its full extent. If adult insist on not allowing children freedom to their face, compromise should at least be made, and ‘natural’ makeup allowed. Cunnifee said: “You can wear a light covering as long as it’s very natural.”
Of course, no one wants to see schools suffer due to makeup. But cosmetics truly do not have the power to damage reputation. In photographs and websites and even children commuting to school, makeup can hardly be seen in comparison to a full body covered in matching uniform which showcases the school well.
Jenna Ward, Mum, said: “It’s about making her feel good about herself, being body positive.”
The best resolution to all of this perhaps could be to let parents decide. This banishes the issue of drawing creating guidelines and rules regarding ‘natural’ makeup. It also would give teenagers the chance to express themselves and fight their corner to the people who know them best, their parents. At the end of the day, whether wearing makeup or not, they will be free to do as they wish in the years following high school. Would it be so bad to allow them this little bit of freedom on their own face a few years early?
By Roslyn McBride
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