Students Of Today

As someone who will be in the field of Psychology, I can't help but think about the psychology of these students. I think the problem is not disciplinary actions but care itself. You yourself mentioned they have no respect for themselves. This jumps at me. Without care for themselves, how can they care for anything? This problem starts from home and the economy. With a competitive and destructive economy, adults are constantly looking for ways to make money. Some businesses take advantage and force them into working overtime and would lose their job if they did not do the unfair work. This causes at home problems including neglectful and short tempered parents, not to mention anxiety. Neglect makes a child want attention. Of course, they need it. If they can't find positive attention, they fall back into negative attention. By experience, I know when I accomplish something large, I most likely will not get recognition from my parents. At least, they won't show it. However the slightest wrong-doing, I get their attention. Aggression with parents leads to aggression with kids. The kids follow in their parents' footsteps and are more explosive. They may get into more fights, they may argue everything, and they may try to trick you. They themselves become short tempered. Now anxiety is typically genetic, but being in an environment of anxiety can trigger it on children, even if it is not evident and the child is not their biological child. Anxiety can make kids act out in different ways as there are also different types of anxiety. The child may become quiet and unresponsive, they may become distracted, they may be hyper, and they may become aggressive. This being considered, I would say rather than focusing solely on discipline, to ask about home life, social life, and maybe even work life. Try talking to their parents on a more personal basis and if they are having financial issues, bring up the topic of financials and make them aware schools have extra savings for families that cannot afford much. Also remember that even after the personal issues have improved, it will take time for the child to get better. Recovery takes time and even character itself takes time. (think about the character cycle on how acting on virtues increases the likelihood of acting on virtues in the future) Reference: past research for articles, mental health certifications, mental health conferences Possible Bias: I am a 17 year old student

I won't be around when they are running the world, thank goodness.

I have heard that some students have no respect for their teachers, I do know that if one of my children even talked back to a teacher they would have suffered the consequences which would probably have meant stay in your room after school and no sports on the weekend.

You are way ON the mark. As you point out, respect is the main issue. When I was at school we were in awe of our teachers and would no more disrespect them than fly to the moon.

Yes that is right we never did anything wrong to our teachers.We were speechless infront of them but nowadays students are loudy and disrespectful with teachers.

You're right on the mark. Unfortunately, if you discipline students, you might wind up with legal action on your hands, or false accusations (racism, sexism, etc.), so many teachers and administrators are running scared.

It's a millenial thing as they say. The lost youth.

I think the students bad classroom behavior stems from a lack of moral values learned first in the home and then reinforced in schools. Can't the worst offenders be punished in any way? Also, aren't there any kind of alternative schools?

Respect comes from the parents. However over the years parental rights have been eroded in favour of brattish children. If you could get the parents on board to discipline and support you there could be a change. It is ridiculous that you can not remove disruptive children. I think some teachers are Saintly. I could not do that job for all the tea in China. I admire you!

It is the difference between old and new generation students.

Too many times there are no consequences, or the parents go to the other extreme. You can't fail a child (hold them back) everyone makes the team, whether they have talent, ability or just plain grit. What goals can they strive for?

I think there should be more/better/different discipline in the home with children being taught respect for those in authority.

It is a lot of work to be a teacher and to deal with so many difficult behaviours. The whole school has to work together; that's what I find as a substitute.