[Mpls] Bullying

[Shawn]

Atherton wrote:  Since the original topic of this thread was bullying,
please
> explain how positive role models prevent bullying.  Consider, in
> your explanation, a nice middle-class mid-western high school in
> Roseville, MN which has historically had a problem with hazing.
> Were there an insufficient number of good teachers and role models?
> Did the students come from bad homes?  Or is there something
> intrinsically empowering about humiliating and forcing your will
> on others?

SMC: We learn our behaviors from those around us right?  We learn A LOT of
them as kids and carry it forward in life as we make decisions to bully or
haze or anything else negative (or positive) we do.

Peterson wrote  He does, state, however, that he has no intention of sending
his children
to Mpls. Public Schools.  Perhaps he didn't notice that you had taken Gracie
out of them as well, one of the reasons being the bullying that we are
discussing here.

SMC: To clarify, Grace was not bullied at her old school.  She dealt with a
minor physical and verbal assault.  Because she had adult role models in her
life showing her how to react when things make you angry, she chose to stand
up for herself with calm words and did not resort to returning the violence.

Peterson also wrote:   Looking forward to finding out:  Is Superman really
dead?

SMC: Nope.  I saw Superman at the Interdistrict Downtown School today.  In
fact, I saw several of them....

Shawn Marie Christenson
Central - Downtown/West


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Atherton" <athe0007 at umn.edu>
To: <mpls at mnforum.org>
Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2004 9:48 PM
Subject: RE: [Mpls] Bullying


> Kenneth J. Peterson wrote:
>
> >    You [Shawn Marie Christenson] are clearly on the right
> > side of this argument.  Mr. Atherton doesn't seem to have
> > a lot of faith or belief that positive role models exist at
> > all, and even if they did they wouldn't make a difference.
>
> You're right, I don't have a lot of faith in the influence of
> positive role models.  With a ~30% dropout rate for minority
> students we would have to assume that either: 1) there are an
> inadequate number of positive role models (that is if you assume that
> role models are the most important factor); or 2) positive role
> models are not sufficient to insure success and socially responsible
> behavior.  I believe the latter.
>
> My position is not based on the assumption that there are no
> positive role models. I'm sure that many exist. In fact, I
> cited myself as one (at least in the last ten years or so).
> I will also not argue that role models have no influence on
> social development.  I'm sure that many young people will emulate
> the management style of Bill Clinton; the honesty of George Bush
> and Paul Wellstone;  the political tactics of Phyllis Kahn;
> the personal integrity of Joe Biernat and Brian Herron; the
> socially responsible driving of Bill Janklow; and the courteous
> cultural sensitive of Arlon Lindner.  And these are just examples
> of people we have elected (and in some cases reelected) to represent
> us!
>
> > Sure, role models play a HUGE part in the growth, discipline and
> > education.  It definitely starts at home, but the presence of
> > positive role models in the school provide a comfortable environment
> > for learning and a sense of security.  After-school programs give
> > students a reason to look forward to the afternoon, give them a sense
> > of belonging, introduce them to friends that they otherwise would
> > probably not meet, teach them the benefits of teamwork and, thus,
> > how to get along in the neighborhood (keeping them out of gangs,
> > hopefully), and how to be productive citizens.
>
> Since the original topic of this thread was bullying, please
> explain how positive role models prevent bullying.  Consider, in
> your explanation, a nice middle-class mid-western high school in
> Roseville, MN which has historically had a problem with hazing.
> Were there an insufficient number of good teachers and role models?
> Did the students come from bad homes?  Or is there something
> intrinsically empowering about humiliating and forcing your will
> on others?
>
> Michael Atherton
> Prospect Park
>
>
>
>
>
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