Wednesday, June 20, 2007
[...]
This policy is not only draconian, it's counterproductive.
Dr. Arnold L. Stolberg, a professor of psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University, describes it this way: "All life is shades of gray. And by having absolute rules, you keep people from making wise decisions. They can't make any decisions at all."
Under the Kilmer policy, "the dilemma is we don't teach children to make wise decisions around physical contact and learn what's appropriate and what's not. It really keeps all parties from learning how to make wise decisions. It's overkill."
But for some educators, bans on touching and cheering are perfectly authoritarian solutions. Perhaps we should replace those DRUG-FREE ZONE signs outside the schoolyard with posted warnings that overt displays of emotion could result in fines or jail time.
Given the carnage from Columbine to Virginia Tech, we can't blame educators for being skittish. But order is no safeguard when inexplicably bad things happen. And when fear and overreaction rule -- inside and outside the schoolhouse -- poor policy is a result.
So graduates, as you march out into the world, do not forget those you leave behind.
Regain control of the boundaries of your personal space. Don't let administrative fiat rob you and your loved ones of the joy of accomplishment. And reward the trust of school officials by behaving responsibly.
[Read the whole article here.]
Va. School's No-Contact Rule Is a Touchy Subject
Monday, June 18, 2007; Page B01
Fairfax County middle school student Hal Beaulieu hopped up from his lunch table one day a few months ago, sat next to his girlfriend and slipped his arm around her shoulder. That landed him a trip to the school office.
Among his crimes: hugging.
All touching -- not only fighting or inappropriate touching -- is against the rules at Kilmer Middle School in Vienna. Hand-holding, handshakes and high-fives? Banned. The rule has been conveyed to students this way: "NO PHYSICAL CONTACT!!!!!"
[Read the whole article here]
COMMENT:
A school in Virginia has set an unheard-of no-contact rule for students.
Any contact, hugging and even shaking hands is now forbidden.
This is simply wrong education. No wait... it is nazism, power abuse, disrespect of individual rights of expression.
Even supposing, by hypothesis, that a few people were disturbing others with their expansive behaviour and touches or with childish games, that does not justify a drastic, and frankly unhuman, measure like that set by the middle school in Virginia.
What's next? Forbidding to speak too because perhaps a few people utter prophanities?
Will they do the same in the "adult world"? Will they forbid driving because some people get a speed limit ticket? Ha ha.
Where the heck were those dull teachers educated? Is that what they think education is about?
Sunday, June 17, 2007
- Gore Vidal
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Obsessive-compulsive disorder linked to piety
Patients with OCD get caught in a vicious mental cycle that can take over and cripple their everyday lives. For instance, a sufferer may become convinced that everything around them is dirty, and in extreme cases spend up to eight hours a day cleaning in a bid to banish the thought.
The causes of the disorder, which affects at least five million Americans and a million Britons, are still obscure. But genes, upbringing, head injuries and emotional trauma have all been implicated.
Now Claudio Sica at the University of Parma in Italy and his team have found that committed Catholics are more likely to show symptoms of OCD.
Intrusive mental images
The researchers compared people, such as nuns and priests who worked in the church, with committed lay Catholics and others with virtually no religious involvement. Each subject was asked to document mild OCD symptoms, such as intrusive mental images or worries. The more devout Catholics reported more severe symptoms.
[...]
But the study cannot say for certain that religious devotion early in life causes OCD symptoms. It is equally likely that people with those character traits feel more drawn to a religious lifestyle and devote themselves to God.
Journal reference: Behaviour Research and Therapy (vol 40, p 813)
Monday, June 11, 2007
