Talking about drugs, alcohol, and tobacco is always a heated topic. Everyone has their own insight, their own experiences, and their own "my friend" story to back up their beliefs. So how should we, as Builders of Community, view and discuss these issues?
We live in a relativistic world, without a doubt. No one truth can be sized up against another, and everyone has to be tolerant. The problem with this mindset and our schools is that it causes a lot of headache for teachers, administrators, parents, and students when there is no absolute truth that can be taught. If a teacher tells students that drugs are bad for their health, but "I mean, maybe they will be fine for you," there are going to be problems. Do we honestly think that students are going to take anything seriously if there is no permanence behind what we say? How are we supposed to teach students about what is true, good, and beautiful when, apparently, there is no such thing? People need to start coming together and realizing how harmful relativism is to our children.
When I tell my students the truth that drinking underage is bad, I need to be able to count on my fellow teachers and parents to follow through. "A house divided against itself cannot stand." We are Builders of a house, of something bigger than a house, a community! How can we allow ourselves to be divided on such crucial things like drugs, alcohol, and tobacco? Can we not see that these mixed messages are tearing youth apart? Do we want to keep our students safe and give them the opportunity to grow and thrive? We need to start seeing the forest, not just the trees, and we must work together if we truly want what is best for students.
ED460 Personal and Social Well Being is a course taken by college students in education during their student teaching semester. Topics covered include: poverty, child abuse, bullying, drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, counselors' role in school, adolescents and choices, and the use of technology.
Ruth, you bring up a wonderful point about relativism. It has the potential to be so destructive in our society. Whether it fits with a given person's idea of reality or not, there are certain activities in this world that are harmful to mind and body, not to mention spirit. Teachers need to stop trying to be so "tolerant" of behaviors that can cause damage to our students. Teachers are supposed to make a positive impact on their students. We need to provide a strong and united front that does not in any way support harmful behaviors such as substance abuse. Thanks for bringing up such an important point!
ReplyDeleteAmen, Ruth! I agree that relativism is dangerous for students, especially regarding risky behaviors. All people, even youth, need stability and the Truth. I think it all boils down to a need for a better understanding of the nature of the human person. If we fully embrace with our hearts that we are created and loved by God, then teachings about the risks of harmful activities will stick better, at least I hope so.
ReplyDeleteInteresting points that you bring up, but i feel that it can never be a reality. Although I think all teachers and hopefully parents have students best interest at heart, we will likely never all agree on how things should be handled. I am not saying that as a teacher or a parent I think that underage drinking, or using tobacco is OK, but we have to realize that not everyone will share our opinion, or viewpoint. Instead, I think that having my own conviction, and not being wishy-washy on my own viewpoint, and standing behind it will be more helpful. I do agree, that if everyone had a child's best interest at heart than they would serve a better chance at a successful future, but we must remember, just because a fellow teacher or parent does not share our viewpoint, does not mean that they do not have the child's interest at heart. They simply may have different reasoning, or come from a different place.
ReplyDeleteWithout reading your blog, Ruth, I wrote a very similar one, except instead of using the term relativism, which is completely viable, I said that people are having trouble taking off their individualism helmets. I agree that these things are turning our society into such a relativistic and impersonal place to be. It's very disheartening. I'll need to take some more time to think about it to come up with some practical and realistic things we could do to change it, though. Great thoughts on your part!
ReplyDeleteRuth, great post. I totally agree. I think relativism is a destroyer of society that has been at work for years. We focus so much these days on what is and isn't politically correct, and not hurting feelings, and accepting everyone's beliefs as equal that we have forgotten something very important.
ReplyDeleteThere is truth, and it must be shared. If that means being politically incorrect, hurting feelings, or pointing out that someone's beliefs are wrong... than we have the need to do so. All teachers should agree with this.
For instance, if a student is a narcissist and bullies others because of it, do we as a teacher say, "Well, Billy, because you believe that you are the only person that matters in this world, your actions are acceptable."?
No. Obviously.