A LETTER writer criticized the Rome High policy of not allowing students to wear body-piercing items other than pierced earrings in school, (Rome News-Tribune, Oct. 26.) It was alleged that this policy conflicts with state law that allows a minor to have a body piercing done if a parent or legal guardian is present.

I am sure that the author of that letter, a body-piercing shop owner, would love to pierce every lip, tongue, nipple, eyebrow, etc., in Rome before the fad goes away, thereby rejoicing all the way to the bank. I am equally sure of the failure to realize that a permissive law that merely allows a body piercing shop to pierce a minor with parental presence is not a legal mandate, express or implied, for a school district to allow the minor to display body-piercings in school.

The reason for such a ban is obvious to anyone who has ever worked in a classroom: students who display body-piercings would become the subject of merriment, teasing, ridicule or bullying. With ever-increasing curriculum demands, it is hard enough for teachers to keep students on task; requiring them to put up with yet another eye-wrenching diversion that detracts from learning is plainly foolish.

Not permitting display of body-piercings is much the same as a school’s banning clothing adorned with violent or suggestive language or symbols, forbidding students to walk around with pants hitched down below the buttocks, or disallowing cell phone use in class. All of these are distractions from learning.

Notably, many businesses forbid their employees from wearing non-earring body- piercings because such items are disgusting and offensive to many of their customers, who are likely to take their business elsewhere. In businesses where working with moving machinery is involved, dangling or exposed body-piercings (or jewelry) can be a safety hazard.

Ironically, the author of the letter called the Rome High School rules “prehistoric.” Really? In fact, body piercing has its origins in primitive prehistoric cultures, and this makes one wonder just how low mankind has sunk in the 21st century.