MAINSTREAM EDUCATION - A BREEDING GROUND FOR TROUBLE

We live in a dangerous world.  I don't like to see what we have become and I don't like to think about the consequences that our actions have on society as a whole.  Everything we do has a consequence, and those consequences are far reaching.  It is 2012.  Our families are dysfunctional and our children are out of control and labelled ADD, ADHD and bipolar.  I do not dispute the fact that some children suffer extreme mental health issues, but on the flip side, for many it it nothing more than a convenient tool used to justify totally unacceptable behaviour issues. Regardless of how good a parent you are, or how strong your moral code, it is an indisputable fact that once your child begins to integrate with other children in mainstream education, he or she will be under pressure to behave inappropriately. As parents, we have a responsibility to protect our children.  We also have a responsibility to ensure that our children are raised appropriately to become happy, well-adjusted members of society.  Economic and social pressures faced by families will often prevent parents from devoting the necessary time and energy needed to help their troubled child which will undoubtedly serve to exacerbate existing issues, and very likely create new ones.  In 2003 I removed my son from mainstream education.  He entered the state education system a happy and bright child with a trusting, confident disposition, and within four years became an unhappy, troubled boy, who totally lacked confidence and trust, not only in others - but in himself.  His behaviour deteriorated both at home and at school, and having exhausted the avenues available via the education department which actually amounted to a behavioural therapist for an hour a week - I decided to remove my son from what I believed to be the source of all his behavioural problems.  I home-educated my son for four years.  The result was a happy, well-adjusted, confident child, intelligent and sensitive to the needs of others above those of himself.  I have no doubt that had my son remained in mainstream education, he would now be diagnosed with ADHD or some similar psychiatric label and would have undoubtedly have a criminal record or at least an ASBO under his belt.  Mainstream schools ARE a breeding ground for the next generation of criminals, psychiatric patients, and bad parents.  So what can be done?  Not every parent wants to home educate their child, and for working parents this is not an option.  Children need to be disciplined. We as parents are responsible for discipline at home. When your child is at school, theoretically, the school is responsible. Do we have discipline in schools?  No.  Quite rightly, the law protects our children from corporal punishment.  We are no longer entitled to spank, slap, or cane, as this will now constitute assault or child abuse.  I never once spanked my son, though the temptation to nail him to the floor was there on several occasions, the harm that spanking can inflict - far outweighs the justification.  Reasoning with problem children is futile as quite often parents are too close to be objective and will only serve to compound the problem.  I do not believe in therapy or counselling as quite frankly a twenty minute session once a week is not enough to be effective and in the UK, this is what is offered unless you are a psychiatric in-patient.  When a child displays consistently bad behaviour he or she needs to be actively involved in a habit-changing, strict regime that will retrain his or her brain to think positively, respond differently, and to respect authority.  Coupled with life-skills training, anger management, and self esteem awareness, children can break the circle of negativity that surrounds them and move on to become happy, healthy adults.  Just as I believe that National Service should be compulsory within the UK, so I believe that Boot Camps for problem children should be an option. It has been proven that the 'soft option' doesn't work.  Boot Camps for problem children are non-military.  Children are given instruction on how to think and react in a different and more positive way.  It doesn't work for everyone as everyone is different, however for most children, it proves to be positive experience.  No child is born bad.  Children react and learn from experience.  As adults we have the capacity to move on from bad experiences.  Children don't have this capacity, so wherever they are - they stay.  Society has a great deal to answer for.  I am hoping to see change in my lifetime, but as a realist, I know it will take many years to undo the mistakes we have made in the last few decades.  Until then, peace and respect.