What was not allowed to do in the Soviet school and what was the reason for such strict prohibitions?

School time is the warmest, most pleasant memories. First friendship, first love, new knowledge. The school teaches not only the basics of algebra and physics, but also the social adaptation of a new generation. Norms of behavior in society, education, good manners, respect for other people’s labor – all this was instilled in us in the Soviet school. But the education system in the USSR was full of bans. I’m looking at my grandson and I remember. what not to do in school us.



The current generation simply does not know the prohibitions. There is no school uniform, everyone can express themselves in school as they want. And this self-expression begins not in the period of transition, but in the first grade. It was much simpler for us – the same notebooks, shape and modesty. Even those whose parents earned above-average wages or had other privileges did not differ much from the general population. And to buy something else was difficult, in stores sold the same type of product.



School administration and teachers strictly monitored the appearance of students. The boys could not have short pants or unkempt appearance. If the student came in a torn jacket or a stale shirt, he immediately read out at the meeting. It was not allowed to wear sweaters, even under a jacket. Therefore, in winter, you had to freeze in a thin shirt sitting at the window. The girls were even stricter. The length of the skirt should be strictly to the middle of the knee. What tricks did not go girls, especially in high school, to shorten the skirt unnoticed by teachers.



And girls were not allowed to come to school with their hair down. Yeah, the hair had to be tight in the braid. This rule also applies to high school. Some girls in the 10th grade had short haircuts and were also criticized by teachers for doing so. No makeup, painted nails or massive jewelry. Everyone who came with lipstick or eyelashes, went immediately to the bathroom. If the girls pierced the ears, the earrings should be the simplest and most imperceptible. Rings, watches, chains were strictly forbidden even in graduation classes.



The first classes in primary school were devoted to the formulation of correct handwriting. Yes, we all wrote calligraphically. And now it's all too expensive to see. Write with a pencil until the letters began to take on a decent look. Now I already know that calligraphic handwriting helps build neural connections in the brain. Therefore, our generation thinks more logically and can solve any life situation. If my grandson's phone is taken away, he'll be completely confused and panicked.



For some reason left-handed people were not accepted in the Soviet Union. Retraining a left-handed child began in kindergarten. In school, it was forbidden to hold a pencil in your left hand. There was a left-handed boy in my class. It was very difficult for him to overcome himself and write with his right hand. When the teacher could not see, he would put a pencil in his left hand and write to her. But one day the teacher saw his trick and simply tied his left hand to the desk so that he could not move it. People who are naturally left-handed are considered more creative. How many talents were destroyed by the Soviet spelling system.



We all learned a little something and somehow. When we finished school, we all knew who we wanted to be. They were older and more independent. Perhaps it was school bans that helped us find extraordinary ways to overcome them. And this skill is very useful in adult life.