CHILDREN INHERITED A CORRUPT SOCIETY

Many changes have taken place in the schools throughout the United States.
Many things that once were, no longer exist. Technology has had its
negatives as well as its positive effects on our children. Before the
advent of television and many other modern inventions, families were a more
unified entity in our society. Because of the decline in the American
family, the school, like all other institutions, has suffered a decline in
its effectiveness.

The distribution of drugs has had its negative effects on the children in
our schools. Children of drug-addicted parents cause problems in the
classroom and in the community. Also, many children are used to selling
drugs on the streets and in many cases, they themselves have become drug
addicts.

Teachers live in constant fear of what may happen in their classrooms. Can
learning take place under these conditions?

No longer can Americans boast about the beautiful relationship which once
existed between the home and the school. Parents have lost the leadership
role which they once had and, in many instances, children are "on their
own" in decision-making. There is one thing that needs to be considered -
the number of single parents who have children out of wedlock and are not
sufficiently equipped to raise a family.

Let us take a look at the statement, "A child speaks what he hears, and he
mimics what he sees." A child carries to the classroom the profane language
he hears and the indecent behavior which he sees at home.

The teacher has been instructed not to tolerate such behavior. She sends
the child to the office for improper behavior; he is punished for something
for which he is not totally responsible. Do you not agree that many
problems in the school can be attributed to home environment?

The news media have published many reports about children who bring weapons
to school. In most instances the reports have been accurate. Can you
imagine having to teach under such pressure? The pressure is worsened
because of the privacy law - it is illegal to search a child because this
act invades his privacy.

Children in today's schools are criticized because of what they do and what
they say. Are we justified in making such judgment? If everything were
scrutinized, we would agree that our youngsters have inherited a corrupt
society which produces the alcohol, the tobacco, the drugs and the weapons
which have caused the problems in our schools.

This is a look at some of the problems which presently exist in our
American schools. It is my prayer that our churches and community groups
will assume the leadership in solving these problems.

Mae Dorsey

Lafayette