... On the other hand...
A couple of days ago, I posted about my concern regarding how school authorities seem to feel like they know better than parents how to raise children. I ended with this statement: "School districts need to quit thinking they know better how to parent than parents who are genuinely endeavoring to do so." I still believe that statement. However, there are two sides to every argument, and I think Walt Mueller voices the other side quite well.
In his book, "Engaging the Soul of Youth Culture," Walt talks about the "unique marks of an emerging generation" that's developing a post-modern world view. Here's a small quote that helps communicate what teachers and administrators have to deal with amongst students and parents that make them believe they can parent better than many parents... and those are the ones who aren't in jail or addicted to something.
The irony is that part of the cause of this post-modern world view that's causing the amoral problems (and thus character problems that create behavioral problems) are from the same college profs that are teaching our teachers, who are now seeing the futility of the world-view they were taught. Without Christ, though, they just keep turning to more empty answers.
There are a ton of excellent teachers and administrators out there, Christian and not. I've met and worked with them. They are in the trenches, struggling to teach kids while dealing with kids with fetal alcohol syndrome, clothes smelling of marijuana or meth because the parents were using that morning, or clothes not warm enough because the parents are addicted to something, so they have no money to buy warm enough clothes. I still remember my wife dealing with a kindergartner while substituting in Concrete. The kid had more behavioral problems than some of the gang kids I worked with in Moses Lake, and less than halfway through the day, he just grabbed his bag and ran out of class because he didn't want to be there anymore.
What's an school district to do in a society that insists that we treat all kids and parents equally, even though there are obviously parents who are struggling to do their job as parents, and some who are working hard to avoid doing their job. And that doesn't take into account the grandparents raising grandkids.
So, while I hold to my original statement, I try and balance that with the fact that not every parent is parenting, and many school leaders have their hands tied by rules we as a society have put on them. The answers I come back to include things like being salt and light in the community, being involved in the system as best you can (even if you're homeschooling, you can get involved), and, first and foremost, pray, diligently and always.
In his book, "Engaging the Soul of Youth Culture," Walt talks about the "unique marks of an emerging generation" that's developing a post-modern world view. Here's a small quote that helps communicate what teachers and administrators have to deal with amongst students and parents that make them believe they can parent better than many parents... and those are the ones who aren't in jail or addicted to something.
"The ever-growing moral void is manifest in behavior in every corner of our society. Our schools have been especially hard-hit by the rise of postmodern amorality. Teachers spend a growing amount of time dealing with students' behavioral problems. This has necessitated the creation and implementation of school-based "character education" programs. One of the leading proponents of character education, Thomas Lickona, is convinced that "our society is in deep moral trouble" and "schools must do what they can to contribute to the character of the young and the moral health of the nation." (Thomas Lickona, Educating for Character, New York: Bantam Books, 1991, Pg. 5).
The irony is that part of the cause of this post-modern world view that's causing the amoral problems (and thus character problems that create behavioral problems) are from the same college profs that are teaching our teachers, who are now seeing the futility of the world-view they were taught. Without Christ, though, they just keep turning to more empty answers.
There are a ton of excellent teachers and administrators out there, Christian and not. I've met and worked with them. They are in the trenches, struggling to teach kids while dealing with kids with fetal alcohol syndrome, clothes smelling of marijuana or meth because the parents were using that morning, or clothes not warm enough because the parents are addicted to something, so they have no money to buy warm enough clothes. I still remember my wife dealing with a kindergartner while substituting in Concrete. The kid had more behavioral problems than some of the gang kids I worked with in Moses Lake, and less than halfway through the day, he just grabbed his bag and ran out of class because he didn't want to be there anymore.
What's an school district to do in a society that insists that we treat all kids and parents equally, even though there are obviously parents who are struggling to do their job as parents, and some who are working hard to avoid doing their job. And that doesn't take into account the grandparents raising grandkids.
So, while I hold to my original statement, I try and balance that with the fact that not every parent is parenting, and many school leaders have their hands tied by rules we as a society have put on them. The answers I come back to include things like being salt and light in the community, being involved in the system as best you can (even if you're homeschooling, you can get involved), and, first and foremost, pray, diligently and always.
posted by Pastor Paul at
3:17 PM
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