If a doctor saw someone get hit by a car, would you expect her to go help the victim? Me too. And so, as a teacher, I scold kids, even if they aren't my students. It's my duty.
If we want our children to be happy, safe, well-rounded people, adults must be supportive of and responsible to/for all young ones. But sometimes I wonder if I am going too far. I take charge of kids over whom I have no dominion. And I think it is going to get me in trouble someday.
The first time someone pointed this habit out to me was at a youth basketball tournement. It was in Sauk Centre, two hours away from where I live and work. A couple young, unsupervised kids were throwing a bouncy ball against a window. Of course, I asked them to stop and put the ball away, because they could break the window. It seemed like the normal reaction. If a kids was doing that at my school, I would have reacted that way. But PV acted like I was a crazy person.
The second time this happened was in our neighborhood. PV and I were walking with our baby when he was a few months old. Some boys (brothers, I think, around 8 and 10) walked past us. PV said hi, which offended them (we are strangers, after all). But after we had walked past, I noticed rocks flying in our general direction. I turned around and scolded the boys, telling them they needed to go home NOW. As we walked away, PV again acted like I was a crazy person. I still say I did the right thing.
Then yesterday, I saw two boys (maybe around 5th grade) beating up a chubby boy with glasses near my school (not our students). I broke it up and proceded to yell at the two boys. Seriously, I was scary. Those of you who know me would not have recognized me. I feel strongly that I did the right thing, and I don't think anyone would argue against me--there was a kid getting beat up, after all! But I can imagine some parents being upset. Who I am to intervene? Who am I to yell at their kids? If the boys had said, "You're not the boss of us! We don't have to listen to you!" what could I have said? But still.
I plan to continue doing what I think is right, even if I don't have jurisdiction, because that is what people should do. But I am fully expecting to get an earful one of these days.
30.10.07
23.10.07
Trick or Treat!
For those of you who know me, you may have heard this tirade before. I apologize for any repetition.
Most people have an idea of what age people should be to go trick or treating. Little kids are fine. 10 year olds are okay. High schoolers? They are too old.
I disagree. Why should teenagers be left out of the fun experiences of life, like trick or treating? Halloween is a really exciting time for kids, and it only comes once a year. For many teens, participating in the festivities is a way to hang onto childhood just a bit longer. Life may be full of romance problems, chores, arguing with parents, peer pressure, understanding sexuality, getting a job, and feeling numerous conflicting emotions. But on one day, you can dress up like a ninja, giggle with your friends, and eat a bunch of free candy. How great is that?
And what would be the alternative? I know I am bordering on 'old,' but I doubt the world has changed super-drastically since I was a teenager. And I remember what we were doing when we weren't trick or treating. Believe me, its much better for society as a whole to have teens begging candy rather than getting wasted and egging houses.
As a high school teacher, I see that the world treats teens poorly. They are displaced. They don't fit into the adult world, nor are they children. As if they don't have enough stress, they have to face the fact that they don't quite belong. The last thing they need to hear is a snide comment like "Aren't you a little old for this?" Maybe they are. But they don't need to be told. Just give them candy, wish them a happy day, and let them remain innocent and youthful one day longer.
Most people have an idea of what age people should be to go trick or treating. Little kids are fine. 10 year olds are okay. High schoolers? They are too old.
I disagree. Why should teenagers be left out of the fun experiences of life, like trick or treating? Halloween is a really exciting time for kids, and it only comes once a year. For many teens, participating in the festivities is a way to hang onto childhood just a bit longer. Life may be full of romance problems, chores, arguing with parents, peer pressure, understanding sexuality, getting a job, and feeling numerous conflicting emotions. But on one day, you can dress up like a ninja, giggle with your friends, and eat a bunch of free candy. How great is that?
And what would be the alternative? I know I am bordering on 'old,' but I doubt the world has changed super-drastically since I was a teenager. And I remember what we were doing when we weren't trick or treating. Believe me, its much better for society as a whole to have teens begging candy rather than getting wasted and egging houses.
As a high school teacher, I see that the world treats teens poorly. They are displaced. They don't fit into the adult world, nor are they children. As if they don't have enough stress, they have to face the fact that they don't quite belong. The last thing they need to hear is a snide comment like "Aren't you a little old for this?" Maybe they are. But they don't need to be told. Just give them candy, wish them a happy day, and let them remain innocent and youthful one day longer.
9.10.07
Fatherhood and Masculinity
(this is Pacifist Viking)
This week's Time magazine has an article by Lisa Takeuchi Cullen and Lev Grossman called "Fatherhood 2.0," discussing stay-at-home dads, changing expectations of modern fatherhood, and how definitions of masculinity are being changed. Read it if you are so inclined, but two things struck me while reading this article.
First, it feels like an article that was written 20 years ago, today! If you're a father, you're going feel like the article describes the life you take for granted as if it's something new.
Second, I'm just exhausted by by rigid social perceptions and expectations of gender roles. I feel consciously aware of such business, and I actively attempt to analyze and move beyond these stereotypes, but more and more I'm required to recognize that for most, conventional definitions of feminine and masculine behavior are still quite strong.
This week's Time magazine has an article by Lisa Takeuchi Cullen and Lev Grossman called "Fatherhood 2.0," discussing stay-at-home dads, changing expectations of modern fatherhood, and how definitions of masculinity are being changed. Read it if you are so inclined, but two things struck me while reading this article.
First, it feels like an article that was written 20 years ago, today! If you're a father, you're going feel like the article describes the life you take for granted as if it's something new.
Second, I'm just exhausted by by rigid social perceptions and expectations of gender roles. I feel consciously aware of such business, and I actively attempt to analyze and move beyond these stereotypes, but more and more I'm required to recognize that for most, conventional definitions of feminine and masculine behavior are still quite strong.
4.10.07
Pampers
I learned something interesting this week. If you use Pampers, you can join an online thing and earn points toward toys and books. If you are going to buy diapers anyway, why not buys some that give something back? Also, the last two bags of diapers I bought came with coupons for 1.50$ off. I'm sold.
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