Most kids that get mohawks cut them down when they get out of college. Most people that get tattoos get them somewhere that's covered when they wear a suit and tie (Mike Tyson is an idiot, and it shows.) If piercings are a problem getting a job, it'd have to be facial piercings, and those are the holes that close up the quickest; regardless, I know several people who have successfully interviewed for serious jobs with two of the three (I don't know anyone who's ever interviewed with a mohawk, but my roommate sports one to his cubicle job every once in a while.) And nineteen times out of twenty, these are correctable or coverable youthful expressions and don't go on to ruin someone's life.

 

In the interest of full disclosure, I have no piercings, tattoos or mohawks. I used to have a very full head of curly hair and a set of choppers, but those are gone. Now, I have a discreet set that are the same 1/8 height as my hair, and a small chin beard. The biggest reason is that I was required to look professional for work, but that's just my dad. The trend is away from that, and as my generation gets older and more prominently placed in the business world, these attitudes will continue to recede.

 

It used to be that if you interviewed with a beard or hair longer than what my Mother calls a Kennedy cut, you'd have the same problems. That's because the standard of the generation before was influenced by heavy percentages of military service. But even the standards that military service produces aren't 1950's crew cut- most of the young soldiers and sailors I know have tattoos and are pretty proud of them.

You have made some valid points here an are entitled to your opinion, no problem. I was just expressing mine and I will/would stick with mine.

Very good point Oldrambler. My job required doing interviews and hiring new employees and I faced this issue on many occassions. The people that were above me on the ladder made sure I knew that appearance did matter. It was also a part of the interview process to explain the company policy on dress code with emphasis on facial hair & piercings and hair length. To the executives in our company appearance does make a difference.

:thumb: I have done the same and have always thought along those same lines and always will. All the younger crowd I am sure doesn't believe this but I can assure anyone that these are the facts in most if not all places of employment.

I would certainly call it the norm, but it isn't the norm it was 10 years ago. The technology boom produced a lot of alternatives to standard business models, and some of those ideas are starting to spread out to more traditional corporations. Many companies are now more concerned with employees being happy, healthy and comfortable, because that equals productive; it also means attracting more talent, and as someone else mentioned, these kids that get the mohawks and piercings can be pretty intelligent and capable people.

Let kids be kids. Lord knows they will have to grow up soon enough.

I would certainly call it the norm, but it isn't the norm it was 10 years ago. The technology boom produced a lot of alternatives to standard business models, and some of those ideas are starting to spread out to more traditional corporations. Many companies are now more concerned with employees being happy, healthy and comfortable, because that equals productive; it also means attracting more talent, and as someone else mentioned, these kids that get the mohawks and piercings can be pretty intelligent and capable people.

I worked for a major corporation and I can guarantee you that the ideas have not spread into their flow of business. The top executives in the company and the stockholders are very much concerned about the appearance of the employees they hire. As someone else mentioned earlier if two individuals are up for the same promotion or job hire with the same qualifications and one is professional in his appearance and the other is not, it is a sure bet that the clean cut interview will be the new man. This is discussed on a daily basis in our meetings and is stressed as a requirement in doing our interviews. Most major corporations want someone who will stand out from the crowd because of their abilities and talents not because they look like Clarabell The Clown. Also long hair, beards, and piercings can be considered a job hazard in some crafts.

I worked for a major corporation and I can guarantee you that the ideas have not spread into their flow of business. The top executives in the company and the stockholders are very much concerned about the appearance of the employees they hire. As someone else mentioned earlier if two individuals are up for the same promotion or job hire with the same qualifications and one is professional in his appearance and the other is not, it is a sure bet that the clean cut interview will be the new man. This is discussed on a daily basis in our meetings and is stressed as a requirement in doing our interviews. Most major corporations want someone who will stand out from the crowd because of their abilities and talents not because they look like Clarabell The Clown. Also long hair, beards, and piercings can be considered a job hazard in some crafts.

:thumb: :thumb: and I have had the extreme displeasure of working beside some of these clowns/punks. I can assure you they don't last long, their attitude usually (not always) matches their appearance. I will say that usually by the time they get into the "real" world some of them grow up and ditch their childish appearance and lose the "I know it all" attitude. JMO

Though I agree, in part, that the purpose of the "clean shaven" look that a coach could require might be to to prepare them for how they will need to look at job interviews, the corporate world, etc., I do not believe that this is the main reason.

 

I feel that the real issue in question is respect. As a teacher, I see this as a huge problem. Yes, I know that kids have always wanted to "buck the system" and be defiant, but it is so much more pronounced today than it was 10 years ago. However a coach does it, he (or she) needs to be in control of the team and demand respect of his (her) players - not only respect for themselves but for the rest of the team, the school staff and administration, etc.

 

The problem with the "let kids be kids" approach is that so many are already beyond that point (of just being a kid) and are making very adult (and many times poor) decisions. Kids bring guns to school, they sell/buy drugs at school, the come to school drunk or high. And in some cases, they are not totally to blame. Many of them come from a one parent household, where the other parent may be gone altogether (sometimes in prison) or even be a negative influence on this kids life. This is especially true for male students. Their coach may be the only male role model they have in their life. I have personally seen coaches take that role and make a significant difference in young mens' lives.

 

This is the reality of the world we live in today. If you do not coach or do not teach, take a minute to think about the kids on the team that you follow. How many of them come from less than ideal households? What kind of example is the coach settng for them? One way or the other, he must teach them respect and the ability to adhere to rules that are bigger than their own desires. This is necessary to make them productive citizens as adults.

Never a problem for me as a coach.

 

The girls always had their underarms and legs cleanly shaven.:lol: :lol: :D

Though I agree, in part, that the purpose of the "clean shaven" look that a coach could require might be to to prepare them for how they will need to look at job interviews, the corporate world, etc., I do not believe that this is the main reason.

 

I feel that the real issue in question is respect. As a teacher, I see this as a huge problem. Yes, I know that kids have always wanted to "buck the system" and be defiant, but it is so much more pronounced today than it was 10 years ago. However a coach does it, he (or she) needs to be in control of the team and demand respect of his (her) players - not only respect for themselves but for the rest of the team, the school staff and administration, etc.

 

The problem with the "let kids be kids" approach is that so many are already beyond that point (of just being a kid) and are making very adult (and many times poor) decisions. Kids bring guns to school, they sell/buy drugs at school, the come to school drunk or high. And in some cases, they are not totally to blame. Many of them come from a one parent household, where the other parent may be gone altogether (sometimes in prison) or even be a negative influence on this kids life. This is especially true for male students. Their coach may be the only male role model they have in their life. I have personally seen coaches take that role and make a significant difference in young mens' lives.

 

This is the reality of the world we live in today. If you do not coach or do not teach, take a minute to think about the kids on the team that you follow. How many of them come from less than ideal households? What kind of example is the coach settng for them? One way or the other, he must teach them respect and the ability to adhere to rules that are bigger than their own desires. This is necessary to make them productive citizens as adults.

:thumb: Very good post.

The freshman Ram team played a team before Christmas that came in with shirts and ties and docker pants. They looked good and they played good. We looked like little drifters walking around. Different shoes and hair all over the place. As for our Varsity team same thing. We have long hair, too much hair, fro's, etc. Hair on the face in just places where they cant actually grow a beard or at least clip one the right way. I dont think they make them cut their hair until baseball. However, the coaches look good.