Kilt controversy nearly keeps johnston county teen from attending his prom

[Jack Daw]

If I understand this correctly, there was no "school admin." My understanding is that this was a dance put on by a group of parents of strong religious belief who based on those beliefs, chose to teach their children themselves rather than send them to any school.

No admin. No supervision of the education. Perhaps good or poor education. Depends on the parents in each situation.

Sad to me.

Oy, well deserved, since I reacted before reading the article.

[Tobus]

You know... it seems to me that this thread has moved a long way from a discussion of kilts (something about which we all share a passion) to a parsing of the legalities and intentions of the wording of a policy.

True, but this is the "kilts in the media" section. This was a media story of a boy who couldn't wear his kilt due to the wording of a policy. With that being the actual subject of the article, especially considering the regularity that this exact same situation comes up, why should we be steered away from discussing it? It's absolutely pertinent to kilt-wearing, not just for high school proms, but for many other situations in life.

[KentuckyCeltophile]

It is sad that this could have been a fun night for the young couple. He looks cool and kudos for him being manly enough to wear it to a formal occasion. If anything, this goes to show that we need to get the word out more. We need to march on Washington in kilts and rally for the cause!

[O'Callaghan]

When my dad was in the British Army (drafted) he said that some soldiers modified their hats to come down lower, thus dodging the hair regulations by lowering their beret rather than cutting their hair. Wouldn't help me much, as my hair is down to my waist, but the point is that in a military organisation it is generally OK to comply with the letter and not the spirit of the regulations.

The irony here is that such an approach often doesn't work with schools and religious bodies. There is nothing in the dress code prohibiting kilts, but that didn't help him.

[Geoff Withnell]

The letter of dress codes can get one in trouble as well. This exchange was actually done in light hearted banter, not seriousnessbut it really happened. I work as a consultant, and would not normally wear a kilt to work, because I want clients to be thinking about what I am saying, not what am wearing. But I was talking about kilt wearing with my boss one day, and just casually mentioned that I didn't believe the company dress code forbade kilts. He said he would look into it. The next day, he came to me and said that I was correct, that kilts were not forbidden. HOWEVER, the dress code also said that when wearing any style of skirt or dress, pantyhose or thigh high nylons were required. So I could wear a kilt, if I wore pantyhose or nylons!
Seriously, to the point of the young man in question, it seems to me that the intent of the code was for dress trousers, and it would have been wise to inquire. Given some notice, those in charge may have even been willing to concede the formality and suitability of the kilt.

When my dad was in the British Army (drafted) he said that some soldiers modified their hats to come down lower, thus dodging the hair regulations by lowering their beret rather than cutting their hair. Wouldn't help me much, as my hair is down to my waist, but the point is that in a military organisation it is generally OK to comply with the letter and not the spirit of the regulations.

The irony here is that such an approach often doesn't work with schools and religious bodies. There is nothing in the dress code prohibiting kilts, but that didn't help him.

[Father Bill]

*snip* Given some notice, those in charge may have even been willing to concede the formality and suitability of the kilt.

Aye, and therein lies the rub; the young fellow blindsided them and they did what human beings normally do - they blindly retreated to their rules.

[Celtic Mom]

I agree with Geoff. When my son's fifth grade class went to the symphony on a field trip they were told to wear "best dress." My son really wanted to wear his kilt. I contacted his teacher and the school principal to ask if it would be acceptable, and they both told me it was fine with them. I feel that giving them a chance to decide a few days ahead of time and not when there were 100 eleven-year-olds keyed up to go on a field trip and even further electrified by the fact that there was a kilt wearer in their midst helped to avoid a knee jerk reaction.

[Tobus]

Aye, and therein lies the rub; the young fellow blindsided them and they did what human beings normally do - they blindly retreated to their rules.

I'm curious why you stated it like that. "Blindly retreated to their rules." I rather tend to think that they consulted their rules, reflected upon the spirit and intent, and made a decision. Giving them a few days to think about it may or may not have made any difference, and I agree that when forced to make a "field-level decision", the answer is usually going to be no (this applies to many things in life). But it doesn't necessarily mean they did anything blindly, or without any rational thought.

[CDNSushi]

Whenever this issue comes up, I am happy that the young people involved stick up for themselves and DO make a stink. I absolutely couldn't disagree more with the line of thinking that says: "You knew their rules, so either follow them or don't go." I so, so, so disagree with that. If everyone took that line of thinking, there wouldn't be a modicum of progressive thought or improvement or change in society. It doesn't matter if it's wearing a kilt to a prom, or being allowed to sit anywhere you want on a bus. They're one and the same. Telling people to simply follow the rules because no one is forcing them to participate is such an awful cop-out. All what that does, is it simply sends the message that the rules are correct, above reproach, and that "authority" should never be questioned, no matter how correct or incorrect it may be. Why, yes. That WOULD make everyone's life a whole lot easier if they didn't have to put up with all these annoying, rebellious teenagers. But I've never been the one to sit with the sheeple, either. I think it's admirable and courageous when people (especially young people) stand up for what they think is right.

[Father Bill]

Tobus, the blind part is that they don't have time to look it over. A good and experienced adminstrator knows the rules and follows them as long as they aren't unkind or unfair to anyone, and in those cases, knows enough to bend them. To do otherwise is what I consider blind.