Emotional Help for Teens
January 3rd, 2007 by phyllis
I find it hard to ignore the behavior problems, bullying, and general disruptions that are occurring in our schools across America. But, today on the Oprah show, I saw something that gave me hope.
It was inspiring to watch, as one school in Detroit brought about a transformation in communication and connectedness to 64 high school students. The program started with some amazing statistics.
• 160,000 students last year missed school because of bullying
• 61% of students who have been bullied do not tell their parents
• 67% of teen moms do not receive their high school diplomas
The biggest problems facing our teens today are feelings of separation, isolation and loneliness. These feelings often translate into making hurtful comments about a fellow student’s race, physical appearance, gender, and even physical violence. Kids and their teachers are afraid to be at school in some instances.
The show revealed how a program call Challenge Day created by Rich and Yvonne Dutra-St. John could bring about a true experience of love and connection to a diverse group of students. Many of them had been hurt by others in the group or had experienced being the target of discrimination or just felt so alone and alienated that they could not share what is really going on in their lives.
As I watched the seminar unfold, it was clear that these teens were carrying a lot of stress and baggage into their school experience. The program founders were masterful in setting up games and processes where students began to experience that they were more alike than different. I saw teens reveal personal things about themselves, openly cry and apologize for past behaviors. Even the school counselor expressed sorrow that teachers sometimes do not see the teens as who they are and apologized for any interactions that diminished any student.
Some of the kids were present on the Oprah show to respond to questions about their experience. Clearly, Challenge Day made a difference.
I wonder about this generation of children many of whom spent their childhoods in day care because both parents worked. Many had guilty, indulgent parents who showered them with material things to make up for not spending time with them. More and more the staff at our schools are faced with so many issues that school has become a disciplinarian instead of a teacher. I think there is so much emphasis on the academics so that kids will pass all the testing that is done that emotional education has been basically ignored.
What do you think?