During the freezing winter months, the walk to and from school can feel like a long journey. The sharp wind piercing through thin layers of a sweater, and blowing winds of snowflakes make it even more uncomfortable. Wearing a coat or a hat would be a fantastic thing now.
Unfortunately, many students feel that wearing a coat is embarrassing.
“I hardly ever see students wearing anything warm, even when the temperature drops below 10 degrees,” freshman Rainie Lim said. “I think it’s either because they find it embarrassing to carry a jacket, or it just feels like a hassle.”
While students may relate to both reasons, embarrassment clearly plays a significant role. Those who drive don’t want to waste any extra time getting their jacket from their locker when they could be rushing out to their car.
In general, many students feel awkward wearing a coat when no one else around them does. Society has normalized this feeling of embarrassment, creating insecurities about even the most ordinary aspects of life, such as wearing a coat for warmth.
“It’s only a small thought; seeing all the other students without coats can make you feel like the odd one out,” sophomore Jasleen Nahal said. “It shouldn’t be embarrassing, but for some reason, a lot of students feel that way.”
The majority of teens tend to follow the crowd. When they see someone normalize a behavior, whether doing something or not doing something, it can trigger a domino effect of every other student also incorporating that behavior. In this case, the discomfort of wearing a coat in school is more prevalent than ever.
Even if the coat does not match your perfectly planned outfits, there is a solution: you can always take off your coat when you enter the building. Keeping yourself comfortable and warm in the chilling winter months, should not be embarrassing or a hassle. Doing what makes you feel comfortable, should outweigh the feeling of wanting to fit in.
“Students should not care what others think of them when it comes to something so ridiculous as wearing a jacket, ” sophomore Kenzie Decraene said. “Everyone takes everything too personally now, which I believe is the root of this seemingly small issue. Moving away from the worry of what people think can resolve this entire problem.”
