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?
Asking to use deodorant per se feels like fomenting cheap consumerism and ignoring some perceived risks of using "antiperspirant" instead of deodorant.
Instead there should be a Science talk about how body odor comes from bacteria due to insufficient hygiene.
After a proper shower/bath with soap and hot water body odor does not exist.
So, deodorant smells "fresh" and it is easy to use (and carry) but other alternatives to suppress the bacteria that causes bad/strong body odor are better and should be promoted.
Perspiration is healthy, bacteria associated to perspiration is not.
Agree kids being kids play and may be it is the right age to use deodorant
My intention was to figure out if other parents address this by this age or till we notice some order.
Thank you !
As mentioned somewhere before, it is not an "age" in particular but up to the individual, their biochemistry and thought hygiene.
And also the family environment. "Smelly" parents will not notice "smelly" children.
But, back to school and within a crowded classroom, some remedies are esential.
Being school (a place to learn) learning how to wisely tame natural body odor is more important than just masking unpleasant odors.
What age do you normally get/allow children to use deodorant?
How long is a piece of string?
Some people are never going to need deodorant, even as adults. Some people need a lot more than just deodorant.
True
If anyone stinks, then they should wear deodorant (and shower, and wear clean clothes). Age is irrelevant.
Agree.
Kids are starting puberty as early as 8 now; if you have a class full of them around that age then you're bound to have a few early starters. Seems age appropriate.
Thanks !
It depends, if it's well meant, it's a good thing, I don't think any adult is willing to tell someone they smell, even if it's the hard useful truths.
Agree
High school teacher here - 10000000% it is.
Of course one should approach it in as discrete and be as respectful as they can.
I usually just try and remind them about hygiene etc. and give them a gentle nudge in the right direction. Usually they take it.
There have def been some students in the past who stunk like actual s**t. To the point that you recognise their scent if they're standing behind you.
When that happens, if they're still not addressing it, you need to get the parents involved. If it's starting to affect the others in the classroom (yourself included) it becomes an OH&S issue.
Also - legally they shouldn't be bringing sprays to school as this can cause issues with asthmatic students/teachers (of course some still do this but they shouldn't be). Roll ons though for touch ups is appropriate if the kids are at the age where they're starting to stink.
ever tell a black kid to wear deodorant?
I mean I work with a large % of students from African descent so yeah.
scientifically people of darker skin colour tend to have stronger odours, do you agree?
@Poor Ass: People you are the least related to have the strongest smells. Your own family sets the baseline for neutral.
For example, I've heard that to most people who grew up in Asia, white people smell like spoilt milk, closer to blue cheese when sweaty.
@Jolakot: Well you see white people households do smell like cheese and milk because more diary is consumed
South East Asian households smells like seasoning all the chicken powder and soy sauce smell
Our subcontinent friends smells like curry and garlic because it's full of spices in the kitchen
You should try gorgonzola haha
@Poor Ass: I should ask my Taiwanese neighbour if vegan white people smell different than normal white people.
And does a mixed white-subcontinent person smell like garlic pizza?
I will say, as a sunscreen wearer myself, that white Americans smell worse than any other group. Like a nursing home mixed with an open bottle of acetone.
@Jolakot: I assume vegan white people homes just smell like hemp
And does a mixed white-subcontinent person smell like garlic pizza?
Depends if they use a lot of spices too… Can smell it from their pores
I will say, as a sunscreen wearer myself, that white Americans smell worse than any other group. Like a nursing home mixed with an open bottle of acetone.
I'll take your word for it. I haven't stiffed an American hard enough
@Poor Ass: What an idiotic question. Maybe give yourself a sniff between the legs while you are at it. I hear most people who talk like you smell the same as their own butt.
Thanks for sharing your views from a teachers perspective
Wonder if kid had the stink gene
I still remember the stinky kid from grade 1 when i was 6 years old! Even then the teachers were telling us about showering hygiene and deodorant then. His name was Ricky and we used to tease him and call him Sticky Ricky. In hindsight they came from a poor family so I'm not sure what their circumstance was, but they smelled absolutely awful for a while till i guess someone stepped in.
you monster should be ashamed
Shaming people is a good thing, it's how society keeps the undesirables and those with no self respect or standards in line.
did you watch Game of Thrones?
Shame ding ding ding
Harden up princess
You must be the stinker
Some 10 year olds need deodorant, every child is different and develops at a different rate.
maybe we deodorant spray in every school as walk into boys room like with the girl stuff now
Kids are pretty oblivious. If they stink they should be given at least a little hint to use deodorant. If the point was made honestly, then the teacher was in the right.
Not sure why there needs to be a reference to public schools… i didnt think the answer would be any different. The teachers actually do parents a huge favour by reinforcing hygiene at school like washing hands after toilet, art classes, PE etc. Being mindful of your BO is just good hygiene.
IMO
I don’t think children (or even teenagers or adults) should be encouraged to use deodorant.
Open the door and the windows… put the fans on. Ie. ventilate the room of 30 kids and 1 adult properly.
Only have PE/Sport at the end of the day.
Certainly speak to the children as a class, a group, on assembly etc on hygiene and showering everyday. Children usually go from shower or bath at night to showering in the mornings as teens.
The parents of consistently smelly children and teenagers need to spoken too either by phone or in an interview at school. Ie. I wouldn’t dump on the kid as they are most likely getting heaps anyway from their peers.
Open the door and the windows… put the fans on. Ie. ventilate the room of 30 kids and 1 adult properly.
Only have PE/Sport at the end of the day.
Yeah, great ideas! We should rebuild all schools in the country to optimise cooling and airflow because so many of them are square bricks built mid last century or demountable stacked against each other. Put them all up on hills whilst we are at it so they get the most breeze.
And we should use time machines so that all the kids in the school can do PE at the same time at the very end of the day. Congratulations, you have solved the problem of school timetables which have been plaguing us since schools were invented.
Apparently you are surprised that simple things like open windows and doors and ceiling fans do wonders to provide fresh air; even in this century.
Well of course in high schools all students do do sport at the same time.
As for PE in infants/primary wouldn’t be too hard to have a different year do PE after lunch on a different day.
Why shouldn't people use deodorant?
What about the poor sods who have to catch the train with these sweaty kids at the end of the day where you can't open windows?
Why shouldn't people use deodorant?
Because ppl should be showering and keeping clean; not covering up smells.
Yes god yes they start to skink it help meet more what they want in life too.
I worked for a large multinational. Everyone in office was at least 3 years out of tertiary education. One person in particular had no concept of hygine or smell. Bad BO constantly, and would leave banana peels on desk over night/weekend, also used tissues. BO could be smelt at the start of the day, so it wasnt build up during a hot day, it was lack of cleaning + deoderant.
Very awkward to tell someone in their mid to late 20's they have hygine issues.
A teacher raising it right as it becomes an issue for most is excellent. Not sure why this was even posted? Why am I even responding?
Oh, to share that if people aren't made aware of hygine and odor early its very unfortunate. The individual likely doesn't know any better, which follows into professional life, and I'm sure personal as well.
Again, why is this even in question?
It is a question because this isn’t about smelly adults it’s about possibly smelly 8 year old children.
It is about the manner and where and how or even if the school or teacher should address the child; or just the parents.
For example if there is a child well known to their peers and teachers as being smelly then having a class discussion about deodorant could lead to more victimisation of that smelly child. (Because it’s obvious why the discussion is being had).
I used to play indoor soccer at home bush where the Sydney swifts netball women used to train and it was summer. I never forget that stench of (profanity) walking passed their court to go to mine
The purpose of schools and "teachers" it to teach/educate kids.
I believe in this instance, this is exactly what the teacher taught.
If you are the teacher, yes. As a former teacher, I would have frequent lessons on personal hygiene. I never finger pointed any particular student. If BO could be smelt, we were having a class talk that day. Absolutely nothing wrong with reminders in the hopes the kids develop good routines about it while young. I even use to keep roll-ons in a "toiletries tub" that they could help themselves to. Also used to receive free toothpaste & toothbrush kits through Colgate that I would put in there, as I was teaching in a lower socio-economic area and do understand that poor hygiene can be the result of poor financial upbringing.
Prepubescent armpits don't stink.
Oh sweet summer child…
Probably not a phrase you'd want to use among actual children while doing your best Hannibal Lecter impression.
yeh look man, it's called personal hygiene. Sensitive parents please relax
Kids are at school to learn. Part of this learning is about personal hygiene. Do you have any concerns when the dentist makes their annual trip to the classroom, because it might make the kids who don't brush their teeth enough feel bad?
Your stink brings tears to my eyes.
Now wait a minute, Moe. sniff Oh yeah.
I wish I was taught this at school.
I found out the hard way that I was the smelly kid and that I needed better hygiene
once told it was ok but there was a lot of kids talking about me behind my back….not good
What's the concern? Using deodorant before turning 18 will turn them into ______ ?
This is a good teacher going 110% at their job as an educator. The number of people on public transport here with BO is so not funny. It's revolting especially during peak hours where you have no where to go.
Is using deodorant a shameful thing? If not why are you so concern about it? I think the teacher is a great one not just imparting books knowledge but also important life etiquette lessons.
I know a few neckbeards who take my train that probably missed out on this advice growing up.
no, it's toxic crap.. as long as they shower daily then they shouldn't need it.
It is.
Some kids freaking REEK & their parents are too lazy/inept to teach them basic hygiene.
If it not your kid specifically, do you really want your kid distracted all day sitting in a classroom full of BO?
Clearly there's at least one stinky kid in the class!
Maybe if all schools did this then the below wouldn't have been necessary.
As the supervisor of a Calibration laboratory in NSW I would mention at our weekly team meeting each year with "as we enter summer please take extra care regarding personal hygiene" due to our small enclosed rooms" .
Realistically only one of the team needed this guidance, but it was the only way to broach the issue without offending anyone.
It's been scientifically proven that young people are going through puberty at a younger age. Particularly in developed countries.
So lessons about hygiene that used to be taught in high school should now be taught in primary.
Relent and consent to event to prevent scent
Not public school teacher ….. only private school teacher
Give that teacher a star for teaching kids about personal hygiene.. Take a ride in the bus when school are closing and you'd know how much of a difference it can make…
One of my coworkers really needs this life advice tbh….
I think it's reasonable for anyone of any age to be reminded of their obligations in terms of hygiene in a publically shared space.
This sortve thing happens often in places like gyms.
Sounds like the teacher handled it well and didn't single anyone out.
Probably because they are doing activities where they may need a freshen up. Always sports, dancing, playing during breaks. And we live in an age where instructions are spoon fed. Remember some of the kids in the class maybe be older, or a bit more physically advanced. Or perhaps even have a different diet. Some poor kid in the class may live in a stinky home or have stinky parents and it's lingering on them.
Human body is disgusting. How much we try to conceal, that's the reality.
I think that's what should be taught to children, and that's the reason you have to cover up. It's not anybody's fault.
Human body is amazing! Your body can conseal excrement for hours as long as you are alive and at 36C you are a perfect walking home for bacteria but you body is able to regulate them to a safe level to avoid infection.
As long as you take care of yourself spend a bit of time on personal hygiene, wash your apparels regularly, you don't need deodorant.
I smelt bad and the teachers always hinted to the whole class that everyone should be wearing it. I had no idea what it was or meant at the time so I never acted upon it. I’d say, if the teacher was more direct or told my parents, I would’ve survived high school much much easier. I never realised until later that they really directed at me
Why does it matter if it's a public school?
my son hit puberty at a young age so he had arm pit hairs, mustache and the rest long before any of his class mates. He was constantly teased about it. So we talked to him about it and encouraged him to use deodorant. Luckily he had thick skin because kids that dont understand can be mean.
Even considering Ozbargin's fickle users, I am surprised at the animosity and down-voting the OP has received in posting what is an unoffensive and acceptable question to ask.
Answering the OP: I am around primary school kids frequently and I had never experienced a primary school student with BO bad enough that it was offensive or needed calling out. In saying that, I think it is ok for teachers to educate about basic hygiene as it has a real and tangible effect on other students and staff in a school environment.
Like pretty much every single other similar thread on the internet, OP never had any interest in actually hearing what other people think.
OP was looking to have the OzBargain mob validate their existing views, as demonstrated by the fact that OP immediately dived into arguing with anyone who had a contrary position, as if their actual position wasn't already clear from the fact that they were asking the question in the first place.
OP got almost exactly the response they were looking for, except that it wasn't some anonymous teacher who ended up bearing the brunt of OP's confected outrage.
If you're holding a loaded gun, make sure you're not standing in front of it before you pull the trigger.
A life lesson, your child learnt it early. Consider that a blessing.
"The number of people on public transport here with BO is so not funny."
That's interesting because in the 25 years I travelled a lot on Sydney trains the number of sufficiently stinky to bother me people I could count on my fingers. Probably on one hand.
Overpowering perfume bothered me more.
Can you imagine if these 34 person who said NO spent time together inside a HOTEL room and 1 person who said YES will come inside. LOL
High chance they live in a single room with 34 people already lol
96.09% voted yes. Faith in common sense restored.
A note home to parents saying your child's personal hygiene may impact their friendship circle, can you please help the may have been more appropriate.
it should be acceptable to ask adults on shopping centers to wear deodorant.. some people omg
Those 1000+ folks who voted yes, wonder how they would vote if there was a 40% chance of ending up with a black eye or broken nose. haha
I can’t stand BO, I would risk the black eye
If it was my kid, i'll do what the school says, then i'll feed him beans beans and more beans. Lets see what the school says after that.
Yes and yes! the kids will thank you later.
personal hygiene should start as early as possible, say no finger poking into poo, no scratching arse with fingers etc.
Sigh again this related topic is out….
You smell what you eat,
not discriminating but a scientific fact. Everyone smells when they sweat but there are those majority that smells exceptionally bad due to spices, garlic, etc.
Its obvious personal hygiene is related … If you don't shower or clean your sweat often you are going to smell but don't confused it with people with very bad Bo. Sigh here is an Example
1) I know he or she stinks when I get close to him/her.
2) I know the area or room stinks when I get close to him/her
3) having a work place eating area with fragrance only! I still find this funny when nobody seats at the no fragrance area…. What a waste of space.
Its a….. mental type of torture. I know as I have a dog's nose so please put on a deodorant or carry a few when you go to the gym, work, uni, school and etc.
The problem is simple but many wish to ignore due to the most obvious you stink and you know it. Even in the animal kingdom, the most ferocious animal the lion and the grizzly bear always stays away from the skunk.
So asking teenagers discreetly as a whole by a teacher to put on deodorant is fine as it's impacting the class and other students however for a minor it has to be thru the parents.
all deodorants smell like deodoranted ass, it's the phycology playing the tricks you smell better, you want to maintain personal hygiene, take showers everyday, teachers should teach kids that at school instead of recommending them use worse coverups.
as long as its lynx africa
Very important and make sure it is anti perspirant roll on.
Smelly people are the pits - it's disgusting.
Kids should be washing daily as well.
Let me summarize this based on the poll result and the comments…
OP: Will still believe to "NO" result, that it is inappropriate. Lol
@rumblytangara: yep