16 School Rules from the Past That Sound Absurd Now

School rules from the past often reflected broader social values, some of which now seem oppressive or absurd. From enforcing gender roles to punishing students for natural traits or simple behaviors, these policies reveal how far we’ve come in terms of inclusivity and student rights. By examining these outdated rules, we better understand the evolution of education and the importance of continued reform.

1. No Left-Handed Writing Allowed

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In the early 20th century, many schools forced left-handed students to write with their right hands. Left-handedness was associated with the devil and seen as a sign of rebellion or misbehavior. Some students were punished physically or had their left hands tied behind their backs.

2. Corporal Punishment with Paddles

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Teachers in many American schools were allowed to hit students with wooden paddles as a form of discipline. It was a standard method for enforcing obedience until it began to be banned in the 1970s and 80s. Some states in the US still technically allow it today, though it’s rarely practiced.

3. Girls Couldn’t Wear Pants

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Up until the 1970s, many schools required girls to wear skirts or dresses no matter the weather. Pants were seen as inappropriate and unfeminine, even during winter. Female students risked detention or suspension for dressing “like boys.”

4. Segregated Water Fountains and Classrooms

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Before the Civil Rights Movement, many schools in the US were racially segregated. Black and white students had separate facilities, including classrooms, cafeterias, and water fountains. This rule was enforced under Jim Crow laws and only began to end after Brown v. Board of Education in 1954.

5. Hair Length Rules for Boys

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In the 1960s and 70s, boys in public schools were often sent home or suspended for having long hair. Schools believed long hair was disruptive and a symbol of rebellion. Some cases even went to court as students fought for their right to wear their hair how they liked.

6. No Talking at Lunch

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Some schools implemented a strict “silent lunch” policy, especially in the 1800s and early 1900s. Students were expected to eat in silence, with talking seen as a distraction or a form of misbehavior. Monitors would walk between tables enforcing the rule, sometimes punishing students for whispering.

7. Duck-and-Cover Drills for Nuclear Attacks

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During the Cold War, students regularly practiced duck-and-cover drills to prepare for a possible nuclear attack. They were taught to hide under desks and cover their heads, despite how ineffective this would be in a real explosion. The drills were terrifying and normalized the threat of nuclear war.

8. Separate Playgrounds for Boys and Girls

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In the early 20th century, many schools had separate playgrounds and play times for boys and girls. The idea was to maintain propriety and avoid “distractions” between the sexes. Girls were often discouraged from playing sports or engaging in rough play.

9. Speaking Native Languages Was Forbidden

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In Native American boarding schools and other colonial schools globally, students were banned from speaking their native languages. They were punished for using their mother tongues, often with physical beatings or public humiliation. The goal was forced assimilation and erasure of culture.

10. Mandatory Military Drills

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Some high schools, especially all-boys or military schools, required students to participate in military-style drills. Marching, saluting, and uniform inspections were part of daily life. These drills were seen as a way to instill discipline and prepare boys for military service.

11. Pregnant Students Were Expelled

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Until well into the late 20th century, girls who became pregnant were often expelled or forced to attend separate schools. The idea was to avoid “corrupting” other students and uphold a school’s moral image. These rules ignored the educational needs and rights of the students involved.

12. No Zippers Allowed

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In the 1940s, some schools banned pants or skirts with zippers, claiming they were indecent or too modern. Buttons were considered more modest and appropriate for students. Zippers were thought to encourage immorality and inappropriate behavior.

13. Chewing Gum = Corporal Punishment

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In many schools throughout the mid-20th century, chewing gum was not just frowned upon; it was a serious offense. Students could be hit with a ruler, given detention, or forced to write hundreds of lines. Teachers believed gum-chewing was disrespectful and distracted from learning.

14. Girls Had to Take Home Economics, Boys Took Shop

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Gender-based class assignments were once mandatory in many schools. Girls were required to learn cooking, sewing, and household management, while boys took woodshop, mechanics, or agriculture. There was little room for crossover, reinforcing traditional gender roles from an early age.

15. No Married Teachers

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Some school systems, especially in the early 1900s, had rules that banned married women from teaching. The belief was that a married woman’s duty was to her husband and home, not to a classroom. Female teachers had to choose between a career and family life.

16. Talking Back Could Mean Expulsion

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In earlier decades, questioning a teacher’s authority or speaking out of turn could lead to immediate suspension or even expulsion. Respect was strictly defined as obedience, and students had no real voice in the classroom. This left little room for critical thinking or discussion.

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