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The Forum > Article Comments > Criticism of 'dangerous' school text ignores literature's role in learning > Comments

Criticism of 'dangerous' school text ignores literature's role in learning : Comments

By Michelle Smith, published 22/2/2011

What better place to discuss tough issues than in a class with a teacher and peers?

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Brava Michelle. When I was going through school I was depressed and on the verge of being suicidal. Yet never was my state acknowledged by the establishment, my peers, or my parents. And 'why' you may ask? Well they all believed that school and childhood where a time of innocence and joy. Never did the thought that someone could be suffering cross their minds, and never did they consider the use of this type of literature in the classroom. I believe that if I had this when I was going through school I would have at least known that I was not alone, it may have saved me an attempt or two later in life. So Bravo to the parents who criticize this stuff, by all means create another generation who have no means to cope with the harsh realities of life. The road to and through hell really is paved with good intentions, too bad it will not them who will have to travel it!
Posted by Arthur N, Tuesday, 22 February 2011 9:37:55 AM
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Excellent article!

Considering that many school students actually do have to witness or dragged into the most awful side of living, among drug use, suicide (watching someone else or feeling it themselves) sexual molestation, domestic fighting, brawls between adults and alcohol abuse:
Perhaps a text that expresses some feelings about it, or at least, takes it off the taboo list might open up some barricades between the sufferers and the non- in both awareness and empathy?

Especially considering that experts agree the best thing for a suicidal individual is to talk to others about it.

And in terms of violence- I think the benefits of depicting real violence and its consequences to children, instead of those disgusting cartoons where the mouse bashes the cat over the head with a hammer and he just pulls a funny face, grows a bump, and is perfectly fine a few moments later- are quite obvious.
Which do you think holds the more dangerous message?
Violence harms people, or violence does NOT?
Posted by King Hazza, Tuesday, 22 February 2011 9:53:29 AM
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another good reason to homeschool. As if the kids don't get enough garbage on the idiot box without 'studying' more rubbish.

'Classroom discussion and assessment tasks based on this book would invite students to think about racism and sexism, affording the opportunity to talk about these attitudes in society and informing student's ability to critique them. It would not simply infuse students with sexist attitudes.'

If a teacher wants to teach respect for fellow humans they can model it rather than teach dogma. Its a bit hard for a teenage boy not to view woman as sex objects when that is all they see on TV. If a young female teacher then clothes herself scantily while teaching the kids otherwise you have a problem. Teachers modeling love and respect is far more affective than dogmas being taught in the name of critique.

If a mother sacrificing or delaying her career for the sake of raising her children is sexist then I want that aspect of sexism taught to my daughters. If proper critque was done on Islam (as opposed to Muslim people) then kids would be terrified.

All this critique usually is a well disguised social engineering exercise. KIds today are living out what they feed on (ie Neighbours, lady ga ga and all that garbage). Why feed them more.
Posted by runner, Tuesday, 22 February 2011 11:11:46 AM
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I can remember a time when it was the parent's responsibility to raise their children, to pass on family values, and walk them through the difficulties and tough questions of life. It appears now that educators in state schools have willing assumed the role of mentor and coach rather than mum and dad.

Is the "safe setting of a classroom with a teacher and peers" really all that safe? Who ensures that the teachers worldview lines up with those of mum and dad .. or even lines up with the norms of society.

Oh that parents would stand up and teach their children values and our educators would stick to the ABCs!
Posted by Matt 548, Tuesday, 22 February 2011 12:43:27 PM
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In this the author is right. The classroom is a great forum for approaching adult concepts and confronting topics.I'm constantly amazed by the number of people who underestimate high schoolers and want to closet them away from so called dangerous ideas. It is often these same people who engage in a selective memory of their own teenage years, where anything was discussed. It is a fact that any dangerous subject that you can think of is already brought up in the school yard.It also seems to me that making books, films or music taboo merely shuts down communication between teachers or parents with their teenagers, but it doesn't change the reality of the world which teenagers have to negotiate.. , because it if they can't talk about with us, they will either internalize it or take their thoughts elsewhere, most likely where they are not going to be judged!
Posted by interuptus, Tuesday, 22 February 2011 9:21:13 PM
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Call me presumptuous but I doubt some of you, judging by your odd, ridiculous rants, have actually read the article and have no idea what you are talking about.

It is about removing the taboo of 'adult' topics, particularly suicide, in the classroom- this has nothing to do with 'values' at all.

By all means, get back to me once you've bothered to get informed, or otherwise feel free to continue your rants and conspiracies of attempts to indoctrinate our kids, and in doing so continue to look foolish.
Posted by King Hazza, Tuesday, 22 February 2011 9:40:39 PM
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runner, if you wrap children in cotton wool, then don't be surprised if they can't deal with the real world.

By all means, teach respect. Nobody is suggesting ruling that out. But does that mean that difficult topics can't be discussed at all? Do we pretend that such issues do not exist?

(And before you answer, assume that not everybody shares your religious views and we live in a free society that allows any religion but doesn't push any single one. If you suggest that teaching scripture is the answer then you also need to accept that means teaching the Koran, Talmud or teachings of Buddha are solutions too).
Posted by TurnRightThenLeft, Tuesday, 22 February 2011 11:52:49 PM
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TRTL

Do a large degree you make your own 'real world'. There is a huge difference between 'wrapping your kids in cotton wool and handing them over to social engineers who more often than not have failed in their own lives and now want our kids to see their point of view.
Posted by runner, Wednesday, 23 February 2011 12:17:57 AM
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Runner forgets that the world as moved since the last bowl movement, and yet to most that see,s clearly, humans are still in the same amount poo as ever. Just to recap for both sides, This planet will not take much more of a " its all well people " and the facts as to what one can see, just shut your eyes, its better that way.

Sorry! Just having a little rant:)

BLUE
Posted by Deep-Blue, Wednesday, 23 February 2011 1:24:50 AM
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A brilliant thread and I agree with every point you raised Michelle.

Many children live and experience action packed lives in this era which pales many fictional stories into insignificance regardless of the topics anyway.

As an avid reader growing up of both fiction and non-fiction along with doing drama privately and through school, I learned a great deal about social issues, looking at different perspectives, feeling compassion for both fictitious characters and real life people.

Some great books, plays and movies based on characters dealing with the issues you mentioned Michelle,as you would undoubtedly be aware, are able to cheer certain teenagers and children by taking their own minds off their every day difficult issues and pressures and devise positive strategies from looking on objectively at a fictional character facing adversities.

Much the same way as adults learn, enjoy and experience life via their own fictional and non-fictional outlets; literature, movies, television, plays, and so forth. Therefore I agree with you, the positives I believe, far outweigh the negatives, and parents should be reflecting upon some of the stories and plays they learned through school many years ago and the effects they played on their lives.
Posted by weareunique, Wednesday, 23 February 2011 10:17:53 PM
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Many disadvantaged students have said to me, ‘If it wasn’t for my English teacher . . ‘ they would never have been able to pull themselves out of their troubles. The main reasons they gave were
1. Personal friendship - the teachers were inspirational.
2. The love of books and reading, and the books they were introduced to.

The distinguished child psychiatrist E J Anthony said ‘The essential child is a child of hope,’ and these teachers and books gave hope to their students that they could overcome their difficulties.

Former clinical child psychologist
Posted by ozideas, Monday, 28 February 2011 3:08:30 PM
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