Gum Should Be Allowed in School
Chewing gum can have positive mental effects, making it a good habit even at school. For many people who like to eat gum, they report feelings of being at ease and enhanced clarity in doing their tasks. Clearly, gum may produce benefits among students as well although the school should also address the importance of teaching students the right way of disposing it. Gum should be authorized in school as it can boost academic performance through improving concentration and relaxation, and to avoid messiness, students should receive education in proper disposal and reasonable punishment when caught littering.
Gum should be allowed in school because it can help students concentrate, especially those who have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Chewing something for a long time may induce a meditative effect. It can be compared to praying a memorized chant that one says over and over again wherein the impact is improved concentration. The same goes for students who chew gum; they can focus better on their lessons and activities. Focus, in turn, can enhance academic performance. Furthermore, for students who have ADHD or are particularly active, chewing a gum gives them something to do. The positive impact is that they can concentrate more on their teachers as well as the lessons and activities. Chewing gum helps improve learning by eliminating other possible self-initiated distractions.
Students should also be permitted to eat gum in school as it can help them relax which can boost class participation rate and calmness. Chewing gum can be soothing, particularly if students are preparing to answer questions or recite in school. Subsequently, they will have less “stage fright” when speaking or performing in front of the class. Gum can also make them calm down if they are anxious of their fellow classmates, such as those who are annoying or noisy. In other words, gum can increase the peacefulness of students and improve not only their academic participation but also their ability to interact well with their fellow classmates. Chewing gum can be good for academic and social outcomes in school.
Gum would not be messy if students are taught how to properly dispose them and those who litter will be punished by cleaning all gum stuck in different parts of the class. Some teachers believe that gum must be banned in school as they tend to be put under chairs and tables. Moreover, it is truly disgusting when a person steps on gum and it gets stuck on shoes and spread along the floors. However, this usually happens because students are not allowed to eat gum. They are hurrying up to hide their gum so they stick it under their chairs and tables. The opposite will happen if gum is authorized in school and students are taught about its correct disposal. Teachers should educate students to put used gum in paper or tissue and to throw it in garbage cans immediately to avoid scenarios where people step on gum on floors or touch gums under furniture. In addition, the right sanction for violators is fundamental to prevent and stop the improper throwing of gums. The suggested punishment is to require students to clean the incorrectly discarded gum themselves, in the whole class or where he/she last put it, like the hallway, in order for them to realize how revolting it is to throw gum anywhere. Students understand that they are responsible for each gum they throw away.
Gum should not be seen as disturbing and untidy as it can yield positive effects on student behaviors. Chewing gum may boost concentration and calmness that are essential to academic participation and individual grades. Nevertheless, teachers should train students about their used gum’s proper disposal to avoid it being stuck anywhere apart from punishing violators appropriately. Gum can produce benefits for student learning and school relationships; hence, it is essential to allow it in school.
