If we teat them like animals then they will act like animals.
Let me start by saying that when I was young I was a goody two shoes. I never even got a detention. EVER. So when I got called to work in In School Suspension (ISS) today, I had NO clue as to what to expect. I was led down to a windowless room with five studens, some of whom I recognized from previous jobs. All were sitting silently (a requirement, as I later learned) and working on various assignments. I was told that they got three bathroom breaks during the day ( 10 minutes each. Including lunch) and that if anyone gave me any trouble that I was to immediately call the office, after which, "Well, hamburger looks pretty good after what they do to these guys." These are twelve, thirteen, and fourteen year old KIDS. How bad could they be?
I read over the list of offenses...disruptive behavior (ok), truancy (ok), willful disobedience (ok), dangerous action ("put student into trash." Note to self: which kid is that?), and profanity/obscenity (wha? I've heard these teachers in the lounge. They must have said something pretty offensive to get ISS for their MOUTH). O-k. Sounded like a dangerous group. But as I gazed out over the prisoners, they looked like a bunch of kids, some more sullen than others. If you enter a Jr. High or Middle School now, you'll find that the staff and the students regard eachother as enemies. This attitude began while I was in Jr. High (a while ago), and I really don't understand it. Yes, they have the hormones and the urges of an adult, as well as the yearning to command total control over their life, but mentally, they are still children. These guys will respond just like any other person; if you treat them with respect, then they will rise to the challenge and behave in a more mature manner. If you treat them like dangerous prisoners bent on destruction, they will sink to that level....and you'll have your hands full "controlling" them. Let's see how respect goes over.
I may have learned a life lesson today.....I'm handing my kids over to my mother to raise through Jr. High if I ever have them.