Sledgehammer not Needed to Swat a Bumblebee
This is the third in a series of
Woodshed articles. It seems
we are producing a generation of youngsters who don’t respect much of
anything. They don’t respect the rights of others, themselves or
authority figures. It’s difficult dealing with them when they already
know everything and fear nothing. This attitude is learned somewhere
other than school. It’s the result of not being held accountable, not
having appropriate behaviors to model and being sheltered from the
consequence of poor choices.
Basic personalities are engrained in children by the
time they reach five years of age.
Some go to kindergarten the first day and demonstrate aggression
and the inability to follow simple directions. Many of these attitudes
won’t change, thus they are destined for a lackluster school career.
Getting older, they become even more difficult to manage. In the
meantime, teachers and support staff are limited with fewer options in
changing behavior while dealing with enabling parents, who don’t know
they don’t know.
Ask anyone who’s been in education for a number of
years this question: “Are children, as a group, better behaved today
than they were 25 years ago?” Without
a doubt, the answer is obvious.
Every kid is different and unique.
They respond differently in similar situations. How they respond
and how they act in school is directly related to their roots, their
upbringing and the foundation they’ve been given in the home. Kids are
eager to please when given encouragement, amazingly respectful when
given respect and remarkably responsible when held accountable. Children
going to school lacking these qualities have become a dilemma.
Years ago, most parents gave children swats on the
bottom and verbal reprimands when they needed to be corrected and/or
encouraged to make better choices. Today, more parents elect to use
other measures…and many are effective. They become effective
because they are good communicators, give encouragement, hold children
accountable and treat them respectfully. Fear of disappointment
motivates these children. The fear of a spanking and the fear of
disappointment in a child’s mind can cause behavior to change. Fear,
although seen as a negative, can be a positive.
Corporal punishment can be a “big negative” when used
inappropriately and too
frequently. When used timely and appropriately, just the thought can
motivate youngsters to alter their behavior. This option in schools
faded into oblivion 25 years ago because some individuals got carried
away and used it indiscriminately and too frequently.
They didn’t understand you don’t need a sledgehammer to swat a
bumblebee. Out of
frustration and in the attempt of a “quick fix,” poor judgment was used.
This poor judgment would have far reaching ramifications and gave fuel
to those who opposed the concept. To be continued.
