Do you think it is reasonable for a teacher to ask 9- or 10-year-old children (public school) to bring deodorant to school? This was said multiple times to the class and not aimed at anyone.
What age do you normally get/allow children to use deodorant?
Twisting words eh?
Nothing about forcing or did you make this up in your mind? I thought the teacher only spoke about deo to the general student body. Not forcing, not a specific student or not your kid.
Sounds like what actually happened was the teacher spoke to your kid, and your kid spoke to you, now you feel 'attacked' (ie, you're not being a parent and keeping your kid clean). So now you're trying to see if it's actually the teachers fault, instead of yours.
100%
Yes general but repeated a few times - I am happy for them to use
No one yet answers me if there year 3 child goes to school with one
@treekangagaroo: Why would it be relevant what other parents/children do? There are outliers for every situation. It sounds like your child may be an outlier for whatever reason. Support them by getting them to wear deodorant. Anything that removes an aspect that other kids are likely to pick on your child for can only help them.
@treekangagaroo: I’ve not heard of children in year 3 bringing deodorant to school. I’d ask the other parents in the class what they are doing. Definitely some will put it on in the morning. If your kid is sweaty go for an antiperspirant, if it’s just odour there are some fragrance free ones that kind of neutralise odors QV makes some nice fragrance free ones both antiperspirant and deodorant. Mitchum also has some fragrance free ones and a natural one. Lavilin is also an option and does free samples https://lavilin.com.au/products/underarm-sport-deodorant-cre…. If you are concerned that the letter is about your child make sure they:
Have a shower with soap/body wash before school and gets all the important bits (some kids get a bit lazy at this age and don’t wash properly)
Has a clean clothes each day (make sure what ever laundry powder/liquid you’re using is actually removing odours, some don’t work very well)
Washes their hair with shampoo every few days
Brushes their teeth and flosses twice a day
Sometimes basic hygiene measures alone won’t work and an antibacterial or Antifungal wash may be required. Best to talk to a doctor or pharmacist if you think this is an issue.
It can also be from food eaten at home. Different cultures food and odours don’t always smell nice to others and we don’t notice our own smells as everyone in the family is eating the same food. That’s where I think a morning shower helps to an extent, and ensuring clothes aren’t kept where they are exposed to cooking odours.
You could also just ask the teacher ‘is this about my child?’ I’d also ask when they want them to apply the deodorant during the day as in before/after sport etc.
We were poor, but clean. Our clothes may have been hand me downs, but they were clean and so were we.
LOL! Makes me remember the saying: "common sense is like common decency, not all too common these days"
I once got a job because the hiring manager wanted flat out someone with common sense.
"Common sense" never was common, at least not the way that the people trotting out that tired old expression seem to think it was.
"I wanna live like common people, I wanna do whatever common people do!"
Anti~perspirants will minimise sweat and accompanying odors, there are ones with no perfume, if that is a concern.
OP, do you think it isn’t appropriate?
Would you rather the student get bullied?
I am 100% fine by year 7/high schools. I feel they need to to it bu this age but I was not sure if it was appropriate in year 3 but I may be wrong
If the kid smells bad without deodorant - yes, it is needed.
If they don't, it's not really needed.
Again, is it your kid that smells bad? If not, you can ignore it and go on with your life.
Sounds like there is at least 1 person in the class who needs it, and the best thing is for the teacher to point it out as a whole class thing as the rest will at some point too.
And as you have already said you think your own kid would forget to put it on during school, it seems a good thing that they start learning now even if they aren't the person that it was aimed at.
Since when has personal hygiene not been necessary until high school?
You said it yourself, this was taught to a group and not directed at a specific student. A teacher teaches and you get upset.
Perhaps approach the child alone and remind them of how u mentioned using deo or personal hygiene ( if u have mentioned the wider topic of personal hygiene). So as not to embarrass them, as well as send a note to the parents of how u have suggested the child to wear deo.
The earlier we stamp out bad hygiene, the better off the rest of us are .. especially on public transport
What age do you normally get/allow children to use deodorant?
Whenever they start to have BO issues from exercise (hopefully not from lack of shower). Teachers and other students shouldn't have to put up with those that have hygiene problems.
I lol'ed when I got an email from my son's school mandating deodorant use. My son said some of his classmates took it to the next level and started using cologne as well…and they're year 7 kids.
Stink + cologne. Makes me remember fart bombs if you mix it with bad perfume it makes it even more potent.
A lot of adults have shocking hygiene and dont teach their kids anything.
Deodorant doesn't just mask a bad smell. It actually acts to reduce sweat and smells occuring in the first place. Perhaps your misunderstanding of this is why you're so offended by it?
It actually acts to reduce sweat
You're thinking of antiperspirant
@DiscountForThee: I would imagine the fact the school are referring to roll on products means they are antiperspirant?
@BartholemewH: You're probably right, good call. Just pointing out that deodorant does "just mask a bad smell", it's the antiperspirant which stops the sweating
why does it matter that its a public school? only private school teachers should tell kids to wear deodorant?
I was just putting some context. Things may be different in private- I don't know
It usually discussed when private school kids are getting a manicure.
God yes. Kids are stinky little buggers, and some parents don't properly bathe them. Teachers shouldn't be forced to deal with basic stuff like hygeine.
It is basic but it is one of the most important thing
I think teachers should have a say as kids spend a lot of time with them. A lot of parents teach good hygiene but we can't go to every child and teach them or expect them to be hygienic. May be teachers should talk about cleanliness first is what I though was the best approach
Happy for every one to have their own views
but we can't go to every child and teach them or expect them to be hygienic.
uhhh. if they're YOUR child then yes, it is most certainly your responsibility as the parent.
Teachers shouldn't have to teach basic hygiene. Kids can be extremely gross and so many parents just throw their kids at the school system and expect them to essentially raise their kids.
My kid is in year 6. I'm constantly telling him he smells and to go shower and put on deorderant. Hah
Thanks . Fair enough
That teacher did those kids a favour.
I know people in their 30s and 40s who never use deodorant, despite needing it. Using deodorant doesn't just benefit others, it benefits yourself. In my opinion, having bad BO can affect people's relationships, and their ability to attract a partner. Unfortunately, some people have worse BO than others.
Agree
Worked with a guy once where his manager ended up having to figure out how to tell him he needed to shower and use deodorant.
He was a mid 30's software engineer from Pakistan and had never used it in his life.
It was super gross.
This is normal.
Because many parents no longer teach or discipline their kids at home, the school needs to have to go to the trouble of mentioning basic hygeine.
People smell, go figure.
Back in the dark ages, churches had to burn insence because the peasants smelled so much.
Because many parents no longer teach or discipline their kids at home, the school needs to have to go to the trouble of mentioning basic hygeine
Parents want to be "BFF" with their kids not knowing it actually makes it tough on the general public. Everyone thinks their kids are angels. I go out of my way to ask if my kids have caused any trouble during the day and whether I need to give them a talking to. Better start small when they are small than trying to straighten a big tree when it is bent.
That's an excellent analogy btw lol.
My kids are not angels. Do you want them?Delivery is free within 300km.
Cost of living must be getting bad if people are cutting down on showers.
Some cultures it is hard to know they have odors because they are so used to it. I for one have desensitized nose because as a kid worked too much with tradies in the family and did too much painting without PPE.
No one is cutting down on showers :) I think they all come from reasonable families and I
Question was more of should you ask year 3 children to come to school with roll on's and if it was an appropriate age to do so ?
Would you send your children to school by this age with Deo ? I am just trying to understand what the general perception is
Only a joke. Don't get too rolled up in it.
:)
no need to make a stink about it
Small classroom with 20+ kids, it can get really smelly, so yes
Thanks . Agree
He'll yes, kids shouldn't also need to be told by teachers to brush their teeth due to smelly breathe but they are. This happened in my sons class when he was in yr 3
Fair enough
Does your kid stank or are you the teacher?
Neither. I would like to know if an average 9 year old goes to school with deo or roll on ?
So it’s your kid as you don’t believe in deodorant for that age child
Was it easier to answer the question if you could ?
No it was not my kid I am just asking what age normally people ask their children . Do you do it by 9 years or as an when you notice smell ?
I need not ask in a group to know what I believe (I already know it) and I am not expecting any one to agree with me - My questions were simple and trying to see where everyone stand
Is it appropriate and do children start to use it by this age ? If they are stinky 100% now
Whats an average? Kids will reach puberty at different times.
Your kid probably stinks or you don't believe in deodorant (or understand deodorant from your past replies).
my 10 year old has just started wearing deodorant. I noticed he was starting to get a little smelly on hot days and sat him down and gave him a talk about it a month ago or so. Provided him with his own deodorant ( he's just using what his dad uses which is a fairly neutral smelling spray on.) I remind him every morning to use the deodorant too, so I guess that being said I am forcing him to use it.
When your child starts to smell a little, it's time for deodorant and honestly if parents aren't willing to take responsibility for it then the teachers need to step in and say something.
Thanks spot on
Just a thought
The body odour could be coming from the shirt the child is wearing especially if it is a hand me down! Some clothing holds the smell of B O even after washing!
Unless child in in early puberty it shouldn’t be necessary to use underarm deodorant just shower frequently!
Thanks !
sounds like one kid doesn't pass the smell test
Or may be teacher is teaching them good hygiene as other have pointed out.
I can only assume like you
I don't see a problem with that. The teacher had to ask multiple times shows THE kid (or the parent) doesn't really get it.
I understand why the teacher may be doing this and I might do the same if some one stinks.
I wanted to ask how other parents deal with their children and by what age - From some I hear when they notice the order other might just do it by certain age and all I'm after is trying to figure out what is the best option.
He or she doesn't smell yet but I think sooner they will based on what I hear and know
As parents we didn't have to do anything with our kids. None of my boys smells in primary school. The elder boy learnt to use deodorant from year 7 for sports.
nothing like coating your kid in chemicals from a young age, usually proper bathing,showering would prevent the need for such things, also ventilation goes a long way, at that age a small number may not be wiping properly and in that case deodorant wont be helping at all
lol
also, there's natural deodorants if you're so against chemicals
My initial thinking was same as I didn't equate smelling nice to good hygiene. In fact it might hide bad hygiene practice.
Not saying some one shouldn't smell nice but I though at primary schools teachers should be addressing cleanliness first before getting some one to smell nice as the next step.But not a lot of people see it that way unfortunately
There are a comments and up-votes who assumed I or my kid was smelling and so I was moaning . People are all jumping to judge others here before thinking
People are cruel and will look for any excuse to bring someone else down. Welcome to the Human Race!! Enjoy.
OzPileOn.
so glad i had a change of heart mid way through my BEd(Sec) many years ago. not sure i could put up with dealing with these kind of dramas. kudos to those who teach and manage to stay sane.
The parents would drive my insane. I would probably be arrested for punching a parent. The way some of the entitled parents I see acting the way they do to teachers is absolutely mind boggling
for sure.
again i can only assume the people still teaching are doing it as it's their passion..because surely to god it aint for the money.
It's also appropriate to shower.
100%
With our massive immigration policies, this is quite a useful tip for a lot of children / families from countries where deodorants arent really known about or used much . They dont know any better and this is better than them finding out years later in a bad situation.
True that but it’s also what they eat. I smell it at work everyday and it’s disgusting.
While what you eat definitely can have an impact , it only has an impact when the person sweats etc, and hence Deodorant , especially anti perspirant will stop this issue. I think a lot of people from poorer countries, only know about "perfume" , cologne and not about deodorant itself. So they may think they are doing the right thing by putting on some cologne, it doesnt really help with the sweat odours that can occur.
Oh damn I did not know that, thanks. There are a lot of things they think they are doing right but they just have no idea, driving and maintaining a house/garden is just 2 examples.
Or who don't shower more than once a week 🤮
Stinkypits detected 👆
Ah nobro
OP now the votes have sent a clear message. How do you feel?
I do not feel anything specific- The question was just to understand what other do
My aim was not to take the results and show the teacher to say you are wrong .
Thanks for your time
Most people raise thier kids with good hygiene in Australia.
Lol, the OP is so hysterically defensive about people insisting that those who smell bad should wear deodorant.
It's kind of hinting at the OP having some really funky (pun intended) views on bodily hygiene which they're incredibly resistant to change.
I notice this kind of attitude amongst people of certain cultural backgrounds who for the life of them don't seem to understand how offensively repulsive and inconsiderate it is towards others when you have bad body odour constantly, especially in close proximity (such as in a workplace or educational setting).
It's quite ironic because those same cultures will raise their eyebrows at common Western hygiene practices like using toilet paper instead of bidets for example (which is a fair complaint), but they'll also see nothing wrong with smelling like a blend of garlic and onions that have been left out in the sun for days on end.
I am not being defensive at all unless there is personal remarks and assumptions made by people. I don't like any one to judge me and you simply have no idea who I'm
Nothing is cultural and I do use deo like any other person. Question was specific to kids and trying to figure out what other did about it and how.
Kids is one thing but man if there is 1 benefit of wfh is not have to smell other’s BO. I understand you don’t notice your personal BO but some are just strongly awful and reeks the whole floor.
Yes i know the feeling of it as I am from the same world :)
"Stinky dirty child because parents don't teach child about personal hygiene"
OP is offended that's the teacher is offended by his dirty child
Your name gives out your attitude . Thanks for your comment though
Your mind is more stinker Haha
The human nose is very good at filtering out bad smells, you would likely not even be able to tell if your child or any family member smelt bad unless it was very strong. Not saying it's your kid, but pubescent children can go from fine in the morning to strong BO by lunch time - We were all rocking deodorant the second we started high school, and some before.
Don't take it personally :)
Happy to hear every ones views. By the looks of it 90% of 9 year old goes to school with deo. I never expected such a high number but that's good to know.
Thank you !
This is going to be hugely skewed by student population. e.g. in some East Asian countries you ask this question and the response is going to be "what is deodorant?"
This ^
it's true Asians that carry the stink gene are very low
@Poor Ass: But every once in a while, one will have that gene turned on and because they've never been introduced to the concept of deodorant, it's baaaad.
treekangagaroo on 26/03/2024 - 09:17 Comment score below threshold.