Tuck in your shirt! How many times have you said that? More than enough, I am sure. Its the Mysteries of Untucked Shirts that we often do not ponder upon in High School
You’ve seen them often enough. School children, particularly teenage boys, with untucked shirts.
Yes, as a teacher, you have spent much of your time in a pastoral class correcting the curse, or on lunch duties, or perhaps even as a parent for your own child.
You may have heard, or even given, endless speeches about school pride and professional appearance, and yet it still goes on unheeded for the most part, as time drifts on. Ever asked yourself why this happens?
Like a plague bacillus, the untucked shirt returns year after year, after year. Nothing ever really changes. Only if you are are in well behaved student demographic, where study is generally respected and “doing well” at school is expected, is it a lesser problem.
Ever wondered why?
I did, and spent a considerable amount of time getting to the secret heart of the matter.
Daughters of Gluttony
That dirty secret is Gluttony Addiction and today it is mostly Computer Game Addiction for teenage boys.
Study the daughters of the Seven Capital Sins as outlined by Pope St Gregory the Great
Daughters of Gluttony include:
- Unseemly Joy
- Scurrility-> Vulgar, Coarse, Abusive, “Potty Mouthed”
- Uncleanness -> Loose clothing appearance and presentation >> Untucked shirts!
- Loquaciousness -> Very chatty, talkative
- Dullness of mind as regards understanding
Sound like the general behaviour of someone you know? How did I confirm this secret?
I personally individually questioned dozens of teenage boys in the schoolyard with untucked shirts, (without correcting them on their untucked shirt in the first instance).
Conversational Approach
I used the following:
Teacher: Hi Son, I am doing a little anonymous survey of students. May I ask you a few short questions?
Student: Sure, Sir
Teacher: Do you like computer games?
Student: [Eyes light up in anticipation]: “Yes Sir!” or “You bet, Sir!” or “They’re Great!” or “I love Fortnite, Call of Duty” etc…
Teacher: Do you think you play a little too much Computer Games? Perhaps a little to addicted?
Student: [Sheepishly] “Yes Sir”. “I reckon I probably do” [or] “I guess so” [or] “Maybe” etc.
Teacher: How many hours do you think?
Student: [Slightly guilty] “Umm…maybe” or “XXX hours a day/week” etc… Usually the figure its fairly shocking by the way. If only they studied this amount of time instead.
Teacher: Do you know there is a massive correlation between untucked shirts and addiction. I have questioned nearly [xxx] students in this school alone. You are virtually telling us you have an addiction problem of some sort, not to mention any potential future girl-friend you might have one day. Many females know this sort of stuff. The Internet is full of advice these days.
Student: [Hurriedly tucking in shirt] or [could ignores you]. It’s real addiction then.
Teacher: Something to think about, I am sure. Then correct if required.
I only found one student who did not admit to computer game addiction, but admitted to hours of basketball hoop practice shooting, as his own form of personal addiction instead. Boys with shirts tucked in never admitted to any form of addiction. Computing gaming was regulated, or played occasionally.
Today, when I see an untucked shirt, I sometimes just say “Addiction”. At least I saved my vocal chords three extra words in the schoolyard. I now only need one.