In a society driven by schedules and deadlines, the issue of chronic tardiness has many implications, influencing not only individuals’ daily lives but also shaping this aspect of our culture as a collective. As we navigate this issue, it becomes necessary to take apart the origin, consequences, and potential solutions for chronic lateness.
Mrs. Jenny, who works in the attendance office dives into the patterns of tardiness, admits there is a recurring group of individuals who consistently struggle with punctuality: “Usually, kids that are late often are the same group of kids,”, shedding light on the habitual nature of tardiness that seems to afflict a specific part of our population. The reasons surrounding why certain individuals fall into this pattern prompt a deeper look into the reasons behind chronic lateness.
The habit of being tardy is often cultivated in the years when individuals are learning to navigate a structured schedule. Talking to Mr. Lay, geology teacher at Coronado, he expands on why starting punctual habits young can have lifelong effects. “When I was younger just starting college, I chose the 8 am classes because I wanted to have more time at the end of the day, for some reason even though I would wake up at 6 am for high school I was never on time to class. It was always something that came up that deterred me from getting there and I would justify it. I did not change those habits until I got a job and to pay bills I had to get up”. The habits that go along with being tardy form when you are impressionable when your life is starting to become scheduled. This exemplifies the chronology of the issue, emphasizing the critical role of childhood in shaping one’s relationship with time. Parents, inadvertently or otherwise, become staples of their children’s attitudes toward punctuality, setting the example for a lifelong struggle or success with time management.
Beyond its obvious roots, chronic tardiness radiates through various aspects of life, affecting relationships, career options, and personal development. Being late could be because of many things like procrastination and waiting till the last minute to get ready etc. Excuses are linked to bad habits and poor time management. The consequences extend beyond the individual by straining relationships with teachers, friends, and colleagues, as reliance on consistently late individuals is not something people do often.
Workplaces, recognizing the prevalence of tardiness, adapt their practices, with employers scrutinizing candidates’ attendance records. When employers check your background, they might call your former boss just to see how your attendance was, this reflects the impact of tardiness on professional opportunities. As adults, they either accommodate their habits with lenient careers or change their routines to set themselves up for success. The consequences of tardiness persist, leaving a mark nonetheless on your personal and professional lives, from when you are young to when you adult.
Breaking free from the cycle of chronic tardiness is not only a personal triumph but a societal need. The challenge lies in fostering a cultural shift towards valuing and respecting time; to change these habits of tardiness and pass your newly found insights of time management onto the children.
