Read the editorial below and respond to its message.
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/printDS/310928
In today's world, is school violence a symptom or a by-product of a society "gone wild?"
Does today's society celebrate incivility and disrespect?
How can schools combat this growing problem if their authority is constantly being challenged with lawsuits, etc.?
What role do parents, television, films, video games, etc. have on the behavior of young children?
Persuade me of your stance on this topic with specific references to the problems and the solutions as seen through your eyes.
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32 comments:
Violence is a by-product of society's gone wild. Schools can combat this problem by laying down the law, out front, in the beginning. If people disagree, they can transfer, but there has to be a clear set of rules of what will be tolerated and what will not. Also, they must punish those of violate these rules harshly to make an example of them and show that it will not be tolerated. For example, in the gang rape case in California, anyone involved whether directly or indirectly, must be punished. Parents play the largest role in behavior of young children because they control what they allow their children to get away with and what not. The combination of moral-lacking parents, violent video games and films that make killing look cool are sending our society in a very violent direction.
Abby Dante, pd 2
I believe that school violence is now just becoming more socially accepted. In school, you look like the bad kid, which some kids find cool. Out of school, the kids just dont have enough respect towards their parents to care. In a way we do like incivility. It is almost like a form of entertainment. Tell any high school kid that there is going to be a fight and they will be there. I dont know how schools can prevent this. I think this all starts with the parents earning their kids respect. I also believe that parents have the biggest influence on kids. How parents act is how the kids are going to be raised. Monkey see, monkey do. I however do not belieive that video games or tv play much of a role in this violence. If you are somewhat comprehensive, you are aware that you can not take a gun out of your pocket and just go balistic on people.
Chris McCormack Period 2
Incivility does seems to have more predominance in our society like the examples through the media. Everybody loves family guy and other shows that make money from dirty humor to a point where it is accepted more than it was in the past. In a way, we do celebrate and embrace it by seeing it more often. Schools can combat this by getting the students in order. Some kids are complaining that they can't get parking stickers because too many were giving out and they are put on a waiting list. To properly deal with this, the school could give out parking stickers based on GPA or another academic sign of dedication show parking is truly a "priviledge" (not my idea, but idk, it could work). Parents, television, movies, and video games all have an influence on children according to some studies (so I hear). We could tell ourselves that we are separate from it, such as a violent video game or movie, but we are still being exposed to it and it becomes more accepted in our minds. There definitely is an influence and we must keep it in check.
John Dodaro per. 2
Todays school violence is a by-product of a society gone wild. This is because of the T.V shows, and video games the children are often exposed to. Since many of these are inappropriate, incivility is celebrated in today's society because those are the most popular shows and games. The children see this violence on the T.V, and when they go to school, they imitate what they saw. I think that parents need to do a better job limiting what their children watch. This can be done by the parents blocking shows on the T.V, or not letting their child buy a violent video game. There isn't much schools can do to counter this problem, except to have more secuirity guards if they have enough money. Other than that, the responsibility lies with the parents to teach their kids good morals and make sure they aren't watching anything innapropriate.
I feel a little confused by the editorial just because the way it was written. However, I do feel that there are tons of kids that are very disrespectful even in our own school. They thinkl that being disrespectful or being a badass makes them cool; and many kids do think they are cool when they get detention for telling a teacher off. I don't feel that television is a problem as long as parents can establish that the behavior in the show is funny to watch, but it won't be tolerated in real life. Same goes for video games; Grand theft auto is shooting everyone in sight, but most kids understand that's not how society functions. As long as parents make sure that their kids understand this than tv and video games are alright. I think the fact that lawayers are brought in is slightly ridiculous unless such a need arises like an injury related problem. However, I don't understand what sympton or by-product really means so I'm just going to say that it needs to be established at home what is and is not acceptable in the real world or their kids are going to pay for it.
Chris Grenzig p.2
I think that in today’s society, school violence is a symptom of a society "gone wild". A reason that school violence is so popular is because of kid’s home lives. Some parents now a days do not watch what they say around innocent children. They do not realize or even consider that what they might say, their child might repeat in school. I don’t think that parents know how to properly monitor their kids (not all parents, but some) and pay enough attention to their kids. If a parent is not their for the kid when they need their parent then they are going to go find another source that can either channel their emotions or give them some attention. One way kids may do this is through violent video games or explicit shows and movies. Now a days parents are much more up front with their kids about sex, violence, drugs and profanity. I think if parents were to enforce a sense of punishment or fear into kids then school violence would decrease. I think today’s society celebrates incivility and disrespect because immature people think it’s funny. The schools can’t do much except keep trying to enforce punishments. Until the parents get on board there is nothing the schools can do.
Kevin Schlakman
Period 2
It's no lie that today's modern day society is more uncensored than in the "olden days." The first thing to turn to when looking for a cause, would be our media. After all, it has been proven that media plays a large role on how we live our lives. The clothes we wear, food we eat, cars we drive...they've all been advertised in one way or another. The media that was present during both time periods has changed severely from how we once knew it. Decades ago, family oriented shows promoted a lifestyle of kindness and serenity. I Love Lucy, the Honeymooners, the Dick Van Dyke Show. All were programs that families sat down over tv dinners and watched on a nightly basis. Now a days that is anything but the case! We have our realisitic horror films, action packed movies, fighting mobster series on HBO, you name it. All of these forms of media have one thing in common...an unchanging sense of violence, and crude behavior. Above all else, the shows not only promote these behaviors but they also enforce them! In between our tv programs are commercials filled with you guessed it, more violence!! Commercials for the newest deadly video game, or a toy gun, or action figures equipped with the latest most life like weapons, or a news broadcast speaking of the latest basketball star or r&b sensation beating their significant others. The repitition of these issues persuades the children of our generation that this behavior is not only acceptable, but it's actually favorable. Cable television has gone from married couples sleeping in seperate beds, to more than risque scenes. Topics that were once "taboo" have become the center of today's community's discussion. Drinking, drugs, sex, violence, crude language...they're seen everywhere; on television, in movies, in commercials, magazine ads, even posters on bus stops. The advertisement district needs to take a blame for this. There is no pointing the finger elsewhere in this situation. Blame the parents?! Well where do you think they're getting their change in behavior from?! Nope. This problem rests solely on the shoulders of the Media. If you're tough enough to send out these "positive enforcers" than you should be tough enough to stand up and realize how your actions and products have tainted an entire generation. The schools can only punish their students so much. We need to nip this problem in the bud and re-evaluate what our nation and generation has been taking in as "acceptable behavior."
Nicole S
Pd. 2
I believe it all starts at home. A child must be taught at a young age how to act and treat others. This way they grow up with the correct morals.
Television and video games factor in to a child's behavior as well. When your watching a football game, the big hit is always the play that gets the most "Ooos" and "Ahhs." Video games have been getting progressively worse over the years. A game like Grand Theft Auto gives you the freedom to kill and do anything you want in a landscape that looks like NYC.
For some, watching this makes them feel that violence is an accepted part of society. Which based upon television and movies today that may be correct. But it all falls back on your upbringing. If you were taught the right way, you will understand that this is all just entertainment.
Bryan Martin Per.2
I think that violence in schools is becoming more and more accepted. Schools can stop this by strictly enforcing its policies and having a zero tolerance policy.I also belive that media has no influence whatsoever in kids behavior. Parents need to teach thier kids respect and right from wrong when they are young. There is no excuse to do violence just because you saw it in a game or movie.
School violence plays a large role in a society "gone wild". A school is where children grow up, and once you grow up a certain way it's hard to change. In our school for instance, being caught smoking or fighting results in a couple lunch detentions or ISS, which if you ask me does nothing. In order for schools to participate in making a change, they need to get their act together and create one list of rules and laws that cannot be changed, overseen, or apply to certain people. It's not just schools that need to get their act together though, it's parents and the media. Children are sponges and soak in whatever they see. T.V and games do not help when it comes to showing the perfect persona a child should soak in. I feel our society has as many problems as it does now because of the upbringing it contains and the ways of life it allows. If something isn't done I feel I'll give up all hope in seeing a better future for all of us.
Michele M. period 8
Violence and incivility are like breathing now a days. You can go down a hall without hearing yelling, hurtful rumors, sights of kids beating the crap out of each other etc. But how can we teach these kids that these actions are socailly unexeptable when our favorite shows portray these characters as the cool and popular role models who kids look up to and want to immitate. We can't go up to T.V producers and tell them to change there shows. It's up to the schools and parents to really enforce non violent behavior and make severe consiquences to those who don't follow.
I firmly believe that the media is much to blame for the way today's society works. Video games, music videos, television shows, and movies all are to blame for the way we are. But we really cannot blame them. It is all about money. A video game like Grand Theft Auto is very violent, with cursing, killing, blood, and sex, but the makers of the game know that that is what people want. Controversy creates cash, and nobody will want to buy something that is about little-miss-goody-two-shoes, we want violence and sex.
We have a choice though, to buy into all of this. Most people know morals and ethics, what is right and wrong. They are taught at an early age, and it all does start at home. If the parents aren't teaching in thier household, the kids aren't learning what they need to know in order to have respect and civility in the real world.
Now more than ever society has gone wild and violence is becoming more socially accepted. In schools the problems grow bigger each day. The rules in school are to help others and to have respect. If the school that are so rude and disagree should no longer attend that school. The ones with the violent name calling and actions should be punished. I believe it all goes back to the parents in the end. If a child is not brought up right,invisible to parents or get whatever they want, it comes out. For example, if a child is invisble to his or her parents in school they would do anything to get attend and act out. Also if a student is completely spoiled him or her might think they can do whatever theyd like just because that is what they are use to at home. Violence is also from video games, t.v shows and movies. If the daily things we watch involve violence and sexually things we think that is today in the everyday world. It's not. The parents again can prevent that from blocking t.v shows and not allowing certain video games in the house. Violence can be stop, the society needs more direction.
Period 8
jackie saggese
I think in today's world school violence is definitelya by-product of a society gone wild. Respect and disrespect for that matter starts at home at a young age where children learn what they can and cannot do. If a child does something wrong and the parent doesn't correct it then what is wrong simply seems right to the child. As far as video games go I think that children of a very young and fraigle age should not be allowed to play violent ones. As their mind is growing it teaches them that killing and harming is good as opposed to bad. But if they child was older there shouldn't be a major impact on the way that he or she thinks. T.V. is simply the same thing. Obviously your not going to let a two year old watch a rated R movie but as the child in question gets older they should have a sense of whats right and wrong and should realize that a movie is not reality.
Today's society doesn't celebrate incivility and disrespect so much as tolerate it, at least in the real world. Disrespect may be funny on TV but once you've been rude to your boss or to a client one too many times, you'll be fired or lose their business. However, children today are being exposed to the media far more than ever before. Children in school for half the day probably interact more with the TV and computer more than they do with their parents. Television provides entertainment, exaggerations of real situations, not guidelines for how to live. Parents need to make sure their kids know the difference between reality and virtual reality. If they don't, the next generation IS going to celebrate and expect incivility and disrespect from each other.
Stephanie Chocko
Period 8
I believe that school violence is a symptom of an unruley society. In today's society people let to many things get out of hand. Parents let children do more and more thinking letting children think rules don't apply to themselves. This allows for kids to believe they can do what ever they want and turn themselves in too savages with a lack of respect for authority. The parents only worsen the situation by backing up their kids because they think their child is the best and should never be punished. This therefore diminishes the authority and control schools have over their students because schools feel they will be accussed by the parents every time. However, I do not believe that the media is harming the behavior of young children but rather parents showing the difference in reality.
Ryan Montvydas
School violence is definately a by-product of society gone wild. The behavior of kids is getting out of hand and that is because of how society portrays things to them. It can all start at home, with parents not being strict enough with rules and punishments if they break those rules. Lately, parents seem to let their children get away with anything that they do. Media also plays a huge role in creating a perception that certain things are ok. Most of the television shows and video games out there today all include some sort of violence or drugs which sends a message to the kids. It is these messages that are causing society to "go wild."
Matt Scicchitano- Period. 8
The way children and young adults act today is a direct result of the day to day environment in which they've grown up in. The media has a large impact on the younger generations as they tend to do as they see. It is up to the parents to censor their children and teach them right from wrong. Teenagers are more aware of what is right and wrong but act upon other stresses from inside and outside the home. It is important that they talk to their parents or an adult so destructive decisions in the future can be avoided. As for violence in schools, there should be a Zero Tolerence Policy enforced in every district. If you are caught doing something or witnessed something happen the school should take immediate action. If the schools allow problems to slip through the cracks than the students will take advantage, causing more problems for the schools. It is not the schools responsiblility to raise the children in the community, that is the job of the individual parents. Therefore if a child does something wrong in school the school should not have to combat any action taken against them.
I think that violence has become more socially acceptable as it occurs more often in life. Even in video games, this is sending the message to little kids that violence is acceptable or common. This is what make our society turn "wild". I beleive that when a kid is brought up to have a strong character with good morals, they will not follow the path of violence. However, when someone is not brought up with character, it is harder to instill in them how much violence is dangerous and wrong. I think that we need to think about the image we are sending to the kids as a society, when we are familiarizing them with violence.
I think the media has a huge effect on how younger children are growing up these days. Years ago when our parents were growing up, there were always television shows that had kids who always did the right things. Shows like “The Brady Bunch” and “Leave it to Beaver” are examples of how older shows represent the ideal family. Granted, everyone knows that no family can always be perfect like that, nor should any family should be, however families like those sent good examples of how children should have respect for not only their family, but for everyone else including their selves. Theses days a lot of the television shows focused more on problems occur. Shows like “Degrassi” show how there are different types of families, that don’t always include a mom and a dad; however they are show about every single problem that can occur in life. They show kids what happens when you drink too much, when you take drugs, what happens when you bully people, and many other situations. You can most likely think of any problem in the world, and it would be on this show. These shows are teaching children about all these dangers; however it may be too soon for children to learn about this stuff. The producers may think that they are helping; however I don’t believe a 12 year old girl should be learning about all these dangers in the world. You also get many television shows on MTV where instead of actually hearing people all you here is words being beeped out because they are showing some reality show where people lose their tempers in a heartbeat. Overall I believe that television media changed so much, and not for the good. I also believe the things that children are learning these days from television media aren’t things they should be learning yet. By monitoring what children watch, I think children will grow up more innocent and will have more respect to adults. I don’t think they will talk back to their parents with attitude like kids do these days, and I believe that they will be a lot more polite if parents limit the amount of television they are allow to watch, and the shows that they do watch.
Jackie Loveland
Period 8
Todays society in general is not to blame. Incivility and disrespect is only celebrated by specific parts of society, through jokes or television shows, or t-shirts and commercial logos.
Schools can combat this by implementing assemblies and perhaps elective classes on character education. Speakers often do the trick however, sometimes workshops are more effective, because students are given the opportunity to interact with one another. I'm not sure, but I don't think that under the law, there is anything wrong with that. Parents, television, films, video games, etc. all play a major role in the attitude/behavior of young children. it starts when they first form role models from media characters. When a young child admires someone (real or fictional) they want to be just like that person. If you want to be just like your mom or dad, for example, you may pick up some of their best qualities, but you may pick up their cursing habits. Hopefully however, if they brought you up correctly, you will be able to realize when to do as they do and when to do as they say.
The most important factor in a child's behaivor is the brain structure and very early life experiences that truly create a person. The largest part of someone's personality in due to the brain structure that is determined by genetics. The only impact that experiences can have on a person are one at early age.(Birth-6 or 7). At this time it is important for the parents to instill and sence of morals and behavior. But once that is present in the child he can be exposed to all violence and prefanity in the world and they will not be effected by it aslong as they already had the sence of right and wrong before hand. Telling children that they can't see something will only make them want it more and think that it is more important then it really is once they do see it, which they will. Also one how is is will to commit a violent act was already capible of it before they saw a violent film or game. In other words they already had something wrong with them and even if a film or game gave them an idea for how to commit this act they were going to do something one way or another.
Indeed school is a by-product of a society gone wild. It is a crime in itself that voilence in school has become something that no one sees as a danger for the future. From physical to mental and verbal abuse, voilence is very prominent in school. I believe that both administrators and parents need to join together in order to prevent voilence, because students spend so much time in both school and at home; violence can come for both of those areas. Yet, if parents and teachers band together, a majority of violence can be eliminated. Video games and television play a large impact because kids learn they need to fight in order to get what they want, but to them that means physical violence; when really it should just be persistance and determination.
School violence is a by-product of society going wild. In today’s society if you wear a hat, baggy pants and a tee shirt you are considered one of the bad kids. I feel that the school does not even know what type of student you are and just judges you based on appearance. I believe that the way a child is raised from day one is how they act in school. For example, the parents who teach their children manners and correct behaviors, nine out of the ten times that student displays the correct behaviors during school, to their teachers and also to their elders. Now a day, parents just work and tend to never be home. This is a possible reason that today student’s morals and behaviors are much different from the older days. In the older days the mom was usually home, and if you did not behave the correct way it would be a disgrace to your family. Over the years that trend has faded. Another factor of parents not being home are children being allowed to do as they wish. If they want to go home and watch TV or play video games, that is what they do and there is no one there to stop them. This is another factor that leads to the "gone wild" society. The "gone wild" society has many contributing factors, and I feel that parents and violent video games and the media are the main issue.
I feel that school violence does not reflect a society gone wild at all. School is not the center of the universe when it comes to the world and doesnt even make up half of the world. Yeah, schools have kids that run their mouths and act like big shots all the time, but thats not their fault, it's their parents. When you grow up, you take the example of your parents. From there, parents reinforce there teachings through the things they let their children watch. As their child matures though, I feel that it is the childs choice whether to act like a jerk or a sweetheart. The violence is not based on the tv shows we watch, but the way we take them in whether it be negative or the way it should be, pure comedy that should be only laughed at and not mimiced.
It is evident that violence is an effect of a society gone wild. In todays society we deal with with disrespectful children in school, and as the probelm grows its only getting worse. I think it all goes back to parents. If a kid isn't raised correctly it shows up when the child acts out. Schools dont have the resources to deal with these outbursts in children. You are ment to learn in school, administraion shouldn't have to deal with the lack parental supervision during school hours. Also Violent television shows, movies, and video games all effect a child too. And parents are the only one that can filter what is good and bad and have the ability to prevent their children from watching these violent programs.
Lauren Graff pd 2
Violence is a by-product of societys gone wild. Schools can combat this problem by actually enforcing their school rules and immediately taking action when someone violates them. If students who attend the school do not respect the rules, then they do not deserve to to a member of the schoools community. However,not giving your students any privileges or rights does not work either. If you are going to take away certain things it is important to compromise with your students and give them other things to look foward too. Parents also play a large role in their childs character if they dont enforce "good behavior" then their child wont demonstrate it. The media, parents, and violent video games all play a role in majority of todays problems in society.
In today's schools, it is seen as "cool" to get in trouble and show how it doesn't affect you. This idea of resisting athority may be influenced by society and everything we see around us. In order to correct this problems schools need to become stricter with their punishments; for example, students will be willing to face a day of ISS rather than a harsher consiquence that may affect their future. Also, punishments should be the same for everyone, just because there is a repeating offender of the rule, doesn't mean they should get away with it because punishment has never worked before. Punishments should start light and get heavier. Also, even though kids play violent video games and watch violent programs, I feel that after a certain age, kids know what is real from what is not and can make the distiction between bringing vionlence into the real world rather than leaving it in the game.
Julianne Russo per 8
The portrayal of schools have definitely undergone immense transformations. Back in the "old days" attitude, name calling and irrespectful behavior were not tolerated. Children and adults didn't even think to take part in any of these actions because it was merely wrong of them to show actions like that in society. They didn't have the influence of the media or magazines like we have today. These sources of influence have definitely participated in how our society's "gone wild." Whereas school violence was not at all prevalent back in the days it is now something that is uncontrollable and if it isn't present there is thought to be something wrong. It's almost as if society enjoys the incivility and disrespect because instead of trying to fix the problem and alleviate some of its causes, we still engage in it and celebrate it. The media is so influential and this is where the majority of our problems arise. Even though parents are a big culprit of how their children act, it's also the tv shows that they watch, the music that they listen to and even the magazines that they read. Schools need to take an action even though they fear lawsuits. They need to hold forums that are mandated for parents. Parents need to attend these and be willing to change their attitudes so that their children will begin to model them and change their behaviors. Parents are just as important as the media because they are who their children see every day and if they do something wrong their children automatically assume that it's ok to do something like that. Parents in most cases want their children to emulate them and become good people, but they won't if they constantly allow them to do bad things. If parents fail to rise to the occasion and help society by controlling their kids, then there is merely no hope for the betterment of society because the children are the "future."
Gabriella Sehne, Period 8
Violence is everywhere. Take a look at the video games your brother has hiding in your closet. Or the images that you see on television involving the war, this is sending a message that violence is okay. The media sends so many negative messages to the world and it kind of shows kids (younger kids) that violence is okay in the world. I just think that society needs to get a grip on what actually is acceptable.
violence is the by- product of society going wild. there has been violence through out all of the world history. schools can prevent this by paying attention to what the kids are doing and saying in the hallway. most of the time i could walk through the hallway when the bell rings and not see a single security guard, they all sit in commons and talk. during the period is when they bother you and tell you to go to class when your not even doing anything wrong they are focusing on the wrong things in school. they should listen to kids talk more and not just like stupid little convos like the ones where you see kids crying or if they look scared. schools need to do something about violence because it is just getting worse through the years.
Violence in school can be seen as a problem but the truth is that i feel that it really isnt a big issue because for this year alone there hasnt been a fight in school. schools have been taking care of school violence very well by stoping fights befor they start and increasing the punishment which makes the kids more affraid to fight in school and you can try to blame it on tv but it is really how the kid is raised if the kids parents baby him there is less of a chance that he will be knocking some kids head in. if you come froma rough family then you have more of a chance to be the school bully or fight people. but for school violence its a thing in the past i think.
Bobby Mikulewich Pd. 2
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