Bullying 2022
There was an interesting article in the January 13 edition of the Observer entitled Bullying jumps to pre-pandemic rates in Smithfield schools. It should not be terribly shocking that as students “returned” back to school, this behavior has resumed to pre-pandemic levels. We should not be surprised by any trajectories in any statistics gathered from both pre- and post-pandemic data points.
Most importantly, let’s refrain from using the famous “Covid” excuse.
The Covid Pandemic did not create the problems in our society. All it did was expose and accelerate the problems that we already had.
I have used that quote a hundred times since Fall 2020. In each case, people have agreed. However, instead of agreeing with it, the important question is … “What will we do about it?” Otherwise, the excuse just mutates worse than the virus itself; permeating our young people which becomes the foundation of their mindset.
A Start to the Discussion
First, I appreciate the time, effort, and diligence of the Smithfield School Department. Consider the following question …
When did our education system become responsible for the issues formed and created outside of their scope and mission?
When did our education system become responsible for the issues formed and created outside of their mission? When did our education system become responsible for the issues formed and created outside of their mission?
Some Perspective
Now the hard line. In the past, parents did not rely on educational institutions to educate, develop, and reinforce many developmental characteristics including morality, importance of an education, resilience, laws/rules, treating others, competitiveness, and respect for authority. Now, I can probably hear the thinking … things are different, times change, parents are working more, or “it’s all our fault?”
The CDC data reported that suicide rates in the U.S. increased by 35% between 1999 and 2018 with two age groups (15 – 24 and 25 – 44) that had the highest (per 100K) suicide through 2018 (Statista, CDC). The 2019 numbers have reduced a bit. However, new data from the CDC suggests that while overall suicide rate has decline overall, rates have increased slightly in all groups ages 10 to 34, although the only significant increase was a 5 percent uptick among 25- to 34-year-olds, the report said (NBC News; 1, 2).
So much research has been done on this subject. It would take 100 blog articles to articulate it appropriately … but here are additional thoughts in supplemental post if you wish to read.
Where Now?
The narrative at this point could be written easily. The goal of this post is not to admonish or chastise anyone. However, let’s agree to this.
From an informed, educated, and experienced manner … the formation of our children begins the family home. The family. I realize that there are many issues and challenges in our current time. To be frank, there were issues during my formation that were challenging, for that period; both as families and individuals. As human beings, there are always going to be excuses or rationales to distract us from implementing behaviors (like parenting) that are unpopular, unpleasant, or difficult.
- As Dr. Phil says … “So how is that working for you?”
- Another Dr. Phil-ism, “No matter how much you flatten a pancake, there are always two sides.”
- When is our time going to be focused on rewarding good, positive behavior?
- And calling out poor or destructive behavior?
- When will we recognize self-medicating behaviors?
- When will we support quality educators to do their job?
- And the concluding question that I have heard military personnel often say … “If not me, then who?”
I have seen and heard it first-hand many times. “Well, I cannot believe that (child name) could do that to my child!” But when their child shows similar (or maybe worse behavior), it’s often defending the child’s behavior and attacking the source of the criticism (often teachers and/or administration).
Conclusion
Most importantly … When will we fully support quality educators to focus on their responsibilities with the full support of parents. Yes, there could be abhorrent situations that parents should investigate and advocate for their children. My parents did. However, they never made excuses if I received a “poor” grade (that would have been anything below a B). What happened? I received a stern talk! Sometimes, there was a reduction in what I could do.
Except for those outlier type of situations (mistake, error, etc.), let the educators and administrators educate and support their authority. And support a quality education.
It is not Teacher Jane’s fault that Student Mark failed a class because he did not read the book or submit his homework. Did not plan accordingly by completing the homework with enough time to submit quality work. To allocate more time to social media, athletics or just hanging out with friends.
Ascribe the responsibility where it truly lies. Whether it is bullying or the priority to gain a quality education. To form into a contributing member of society, business and their future family.
