School 1960 Vs School 2007

23 Jan 2008

I have shamelessly pinched this from the message board on eb@y, but I thought it was very true, even though its meant to be tongue in cheek.
Scenario: Johnny and Mark get into a fistfight after school.
1960 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up mates.
2007 - Police are called, Armed Response Unit arrives and arrests Johnny and Mark. Mobiles with video of fight confiscated as evidence. They are charged with assault, ASBOs are taken out and both are suspended even though Johnny started it. Diversionary conferences and parent meetings conducted. Video shown on 6 internet sites.
Scenario: Jeffrey won't sit still in class, disrupts other students.
1960 - Jeffrey is sent to the principal's office and given 6 of the best. Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.
2007 - Jeffrey is given huge doses of Ritalin. Counselled to death. Becomes a zombie. Tested for ADD. School gets extra funding because Jeffrey has a disability. Drops out of school.
Scenario: Billy breaks a window in his neighbour's car and his Dad gives him the slipper.
1960 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.
2007 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy is removed to foster care and joins a gang. Psychologist tells Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mum has an affair with the psychologist. Psychologist gets a promotion.
Scenario: Mark, a college student, brings cigarettes to school .
1960 - Mark shares a smoke with the school principal out on the smoking area.
2007 - Police are called and Mark is expelled from School for drug possession. His car is searched for drugs and weapons.
Scenario: Mohammed fails high school English.
1960 - Mohammed studies harder, improves his English, retakes his exam, passes and goes to college.
2007 - Mohammed's cause is taken up by local human rights group. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that making English a requirement for graduation is racist. Civil Liberties Association files a lawsuit against state school system and his English teacher. English is banned from core curriculum. Mohammed is given his qualification anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.
Scenario: Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers, puts them in a model plane paint bottle and blows up an anthill.
1960 - Ants die.
2007 - MI5 and police are called and Johnny is charged with carrying out acts of terrorism. Teams investigate parents, siblings are removed from the home, computers are confiscated, and Johnny's dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.
Scenario: Johnny falls during break and scrapes his knee. His teacher, Mary, finds him crying, and gives him a hug to comfort him.
1960 - Johnny soon feels better and goes back to playing.
2007 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces three years in prison. Johnny undergoes five years of therapy. Becomes gay.
What are other members thoughts on this? I know there are some teachers among our ranks, so would be interested in hearing what they think biggrin

I say bring on the tardis to take us all back!!! lol

23 Jan 2008

: school versus school :notes:

23 Jan 2008

Just about spot on Bone. I was that school boy in the 60s and most of those things happened to me, including the use of homemade explosives for which I was caned.
However picture this scenario.
Two boys talking in class, not disruptively but talking non the less and not paying attention. Both boys ordered to stand out front facing the class, teacher opens classroom door and steps into the corridor comes running back in with arm outstreached his hand forming a fist and chins both boys at the run.
Yes it is true, I personally didn't do/say anything about it but would love to meet that teacher again. I doubt he would be up for a repeat performance.

23 Jan 2008

Quote by Bonedigger
Scenario: Jeffrey won't sit still in class, disrupts other students.
1960 - Jeffrey is sent to the principal's office and given 6 of the best. Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.
2007 - Jeffrey is given huge doses of Ritalin. Counselled to death. Becomes a zombie. Tested for ADD. School gets extra funding because Jeffrey has a disability. Drops out of school.

This is the one that rings bells for me. So much easier to label a child with a trendy new 'disorder' than admit that you can't make them behave, hmm?
I'm not for one minute suggesting that there are no children with medically acknowledged conditions - but there are far more parents who lack basic parenting skills and let their children down. Then someone gives them a label and drugs rolleyes

I've been told by an eight year old child today that 'I'll tell my mum that you're ragging children about.' This child is, her parents think, an absolute angel and has only ever been a problem for me. My take on it? I'm putting in the boundaries she's not been used to and she's rebelling. They're going to change schools. But I had a witness to what she said and I requested the opportunity to tell her parents that this kind of accusation is not dragged the child home kicking and screaming today. Angel, yep!
Children are way too aware of what can hurt professionals who are involved with them.

23 Jan 2008

FB wrote

Children are way too aware of what can hurt professionals who are involved with them.

Aren't they just? And they do it with parents too- they can manipulate any situation, and theres no comeback when it's found they're lying.
When a 14y/o can walk out of a meeting at school telling everybody to "F**k off," and there are no sanctions which can be used, it's a pretty screwed up time we're living in. evil

23 Jan 2008

Quote by winchwench
FB wrote
Children are way too aware of what can hurt professionals who are involved with them.

Aren't they just? And they do it with parents too- they can manipulate any situation, and theres no comeback when it's found they're lying.
When a 14y/o can walk out of a meeting at school telling everybody to "F**k off," and there are no sanctions which can be used, it's a pretty screwed up time we're living in. evil

if as an adult you said that you would be arrested before you got to your car........

23 Jan 2008

Quote by winchwench
When a 14y/o can walk out of a meeting at school telling everybody to "F**k off," and there are no sanctions which can be used, it's a pretty screwed up time we're living in.

I know. But I work in a school in a decent area and so when I'm told to fuck off they have the courtesy to say, "Fuck off, Miss!". wink

23 Jan 2008

Well yes, whilst rather over stated, the points are all basic truths. Very sad for our modern society, but some aspects have improved, for example, plastic rubbish bags, when I was a boy you didn't go near dustbins (galvanised steel) because they were unhygenic as very few people washed them out as you were supposed to.
Plim confused

23 Jan 2008

Quote by winchwench
FB wrote
Children are way too aware of what can hurt professionals who are involved with them.

Aren't they just? And they do it with parents too- they can manipulate any situation, and theres no comeback when it's found they're lying.
When a 14y/o can walk out of a meeting at school telling everybody to "F**k off," and there are no sanctions which can be used, it's a pretty screwed up time we're living in. evil

Between the 60's and the current day you have many things that have happened to make this situation as bad as it is now. You have the vast majority of parents who don't give a damn what their kids do. Schools that cannot show any discipline at all. The police who's hands are tied, the liberal do gooders who protect the children at all times, and don't the kids know it. But the most indicitive thing of all is the Childrens act. Any person who wonders what has gone wrong should read that, and then have a cry!! :shock:
Until we get a situation where PARENTS are responsible for their kids actions, then things will only get worse. Most of it does stem from bad parenting and governments that have not got the balls to do something about it. Yes I do think morals and standards were better in the 60's than they are now.

24 Jan 2008

We made "bolt bombs" out of swan vesta heads, a nut & two bolts, seriously powerful! Stupid yes & a weeks detention was what I got; imagine what would happen now!!
Not saying the detention worked particulary but never had the urge to do it since.

24 Jan 2008

It wasn't me.............. rolleyes

24 Jan 2008

Markz
You went to school? lol

24 Jan 2008

Quote by Sarah
Markz
You went to school?

yes I went to many but they kept telling me to leave. I don't think they understood that putting potatoes up teachers exhausts was funny.......... rolleyes

25 Jan 2008

Good thread.
I only left school in 1995 and yes there were a few kids who were 'challenging' including myself. I used to be the pupil answering back to the teachers and winding them up in class. I didn't have the best upbringing in the world, which I do attribute to my behaviour in school at that time.
But, I left school with all my GCSE above C grade which was not expected from me. Even had 2 A's !!! WTF that was all about I don't know.
I am now a mother of 4 children, own my own house and am senior youth worker for 2 youth clubs in very deprived areas. I see what teenagers are like today and even the trouble I used to get into at school, I had respect for the teachers and 1 or 2 would scare the s*** out of me when they caught me. Kids today know too many of their rights through 10 Extending Entitlements. And yes the youth service is to blame for ensuring that every young person we work with know these rights. The problem - no emphasis on the responsibilities and consequences that go with these rights. With these entitlements and the Children Act, we have no way of going back to the 60's, 70's and 80's. To some extent, even the 90's, kids were not as bad as they are now. It is towards the end of the 90's issues began.
Another problem - ASBO's. Kids today see it as a badge of honour and it is 'cool' to have one. My answer is get rid of the ASBO and bring in community service or something along those lines with consequences of non participating............God I could go forever, but I will stop now.
Oh to be a mother, housewife and f****** youth worker !!!!!
Mich xxxx

25 Jan 2008

Quote by mickandmich
Good thread.
I only left school in 1995 and yes there were a few kids who were 'challenging' including myself. I used to be the pupil answering back to the teachers and winding them up in class. I didn't have the best upbringing in the world, which I do attribute to my behaviour in school at that time.
But, I left school with all my GCSE above C grade which was not expected from me. Even had 2 A's !!! WTF that was all about I don't know.
I am now a mother of 4 children, own my own house and am senior youth worker for 2 youth clubs in very deprived areas. I see what teenagers are like today and even the trouble I used to get into at school, I had respect for the teachers and 1 or 2 would scare the s*** out of me when they caught me. Kids today know too many of their rights through 10 Extending Entitlements. And yes the youth service is to blame for ensuring that every young person we work with know these rights. The problem - no emphasis on the responsibilities and consequences that go with these rights. With these entitlements and the Children Act, we have no way of going back to the 60's, 70's and 80's. To some extent, even the 90's, kids were not as bad as they are now. It is towards the end of the 90's issues began.
Another problem - ASBO's. Kids today see it as a badge of honour and it is 'cool' to have one. My answer is get rid of the ASBO and bring in community service or something along those lines with consequences of non participating............God I could go forever, but I will stop now.
Oh to be a mother, housewife and f****** youth worker !!!!!
Mich xxxx

Bring back national service is one way of dealing with them!! I sat and watched Ross Kemp the other night about Afganistan, and saw some very young guys going out there to fight.I do NOT agree with the situation out there but...those kids made me proud to be British.
Not all kids are rotten, not by a long way but, some are just downright nasty compared to when I was a kid. How the teachers and police cope baffles me, but god help them if they lay a finger on the little loves...sacked and shamed they would be, which in itself is a crime!! evil