Gary North

April 1, 2010

This article on school violence was written by a U. S. Government arbitrator. He writes:

Violence, bullying and conflict seem to be a way of life in our schools. Our children seem to lack the social skills needed to handle and manage these issues.

Let's take a look at bullying, for example; a pervasive issue in our schools. Recent statistics around bullying are frightening:

• 8 percent of students miss one day of school per month;

• 43 percent of students fear harassment in school bathrooms;

• 80 percent of the time, arguments with a bully result in physical altercations;

• 30 percent of students have heard another student threaten to kill someone;

• 20 percent of students know of other students who bring guns to school;

• Every 7 minutes a child is bullied, increasing violence on school grounds;

• 282,000 students are physically attacked in schools each month; and

• Most of the violence actually occurs on school grounds.

Analyzing this data produces frightening repercussions. Our children are losing the battle!

All too true. He admits that nothing is working to stop this.

Traditional methods of dealing with these issues have failed miserably. Suspension, expulsion and other traditional methods of discipline have no impact because they do not address the fundamental issues of values, attitudes and beliefs. We tell young people to "STOP IT," but we don't give them alternatives or replacements for managing anger, communicating effectively and managing conflict in productive and peaceful ways.

So, what does he recommend?

These programs focus on the development of social skills that help young people cope with the issues they face. Some of these issues include:

• Listening

• Communication

• Negotiation

• Anger Management

• Character development

• Mediation.

The development of these comprehensive programs has proven to be effective in reducing violence, bullying, suspension and expulsions.

I believe that teaching young people the values associated with managing conflict, we address other issues that may be lacking. We should teach children the values of compassion, forgiveness and the humility associated with the art of apologizing for behavior that negatively affects others.

And while we are at it, we should teach pigs to fly.

The problem is with the tax-funded schools. This is where the violence is occurring. Nothing has been done. Nothing will be done.

Pull your children out.