preview

Should Students Be Allowed to Chew Gum in School?

Good Essays

Should Students Be Allowed to Chew Gum in School?
An increasing number of students today are showing more signs of anxiety, stress, and ADHD. A solution to the issue is allowing children to chew gum while in the classroom. Evidence shows that the process of chewing gum increases the blood flow to the brain and heart as well as increases saliva in the mouth, which gives the individual certain advantages. Students should be allowed to chew gum while in the classroom because they demonstrate increased memory and alertness, higher test scores and concentration, as well as decreased stress and anxiety (Pooley, Smith). Most people believe that the process of chewing gum can be distracting not only to the chewer, but to the surrounding persons. …show more content…

Evidence suggests that the process of chewing gum also increases the blood flow to the brain by twenty-five percent, thus improving reaction times and attention spans. The process of chewing gum activates the Eustachian tube in their ears, which dulls background noises and allows individuals to focus more easily and react quickly in difficult situations. The United States Military even encourages its soldiers to chew gum because it increases their concentration. Another reason students should be allowed to chew gum in school is because it helps them stay awake. When they chew gum, their metabolism increases by twenty percent, which helps the students stay awake and more alert. (Pooley, Smith). Because chewing gum increases concentration and attention, students who chew gum during school exhibit a higher academic performance. Middle school students from Houston, Texas were studied by researchers from Baylor College of Medicine. The students were divided into two groups: one chewed gum while doing homework and taking tests and one did not. The results revealed that the students who did chew gum had a three percent increase on their math tests while children who did not chew gum did not. Craig Johnston, Ph.D. of Baylor College of Medicine stated,

Get Access