"Perhaps these kids really believe they are not worth teaching."
This was written in reply to a gentleman who is at the end of his rope dealing with a class of reprobates.
Bullshit! These kids think nothing of the kind. Too many teachers believe that acting out is some kind of reverse psychology. That kids take every opportunity to do as they please because they feel bad about themselves.
Let me tell you a secret. These kids (who I've taught by the score) do not lack in self-esteem. In fact, they truly believe they are God's gift. Why? Because every single adult has catered to their every whim, given in at every temper tantrum, and bent over backwards to make them happy/keep them quiet.
These kids know that they can do whatever they like, whenever they like, and no one will stop them. Sure adults will threaten all kinds of horrible things, but those consequences never actually happen. Its all just empty words. So why should they care?
Combine that with a culture that punishes interest in intellectual pursuits and the short-sightedness of children in general, and what you get is a toxic disease the poor original poster has to deal with every day.
Until parents actually roll up their sleeves and do the hard work of parenting (setting boundaries, following through with threats when necessary, and placing a high value on school work) then nothing will change. Feeling sorry for all the poor delinquents certainly won't help any of them -- or us.
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