|
|
DOOL Discussion Group
You know, Nanny State mentality is getting on my nerves big-time. This is in the UK, but still...actually, wasn't there a post on this awhile ago?
Schools ban children making best friends
TEACHERS are banning schoolkids from having best pals — so they don't get upset by fall-outs.
Instead, the primary pupils are being encouraged to play in large groups.
Educational psychologist Gaynor Sbuttoni said the policy has been used at schools in Kingston, South West London, and Surrey.
She added: "I have noticed that teachers tell children they shouldn't have a best friend and that everyone should play together.
"They are doing it because they want to save the child the pain of splitting up from their best friend. But it is natural for some children to want a best friend. If they break up, they have to feel the pain because they're learning to deal with it."
Russell Hobby, of the National Association of Head Teachers, confirmed some schools were adopting best-friend bans.
He said: "I don't think it is widespread but it is clearly happening. It seems bizarre.
"I don't see how you can stop people from forming close friendships. We make and lose friends throughout our lives." The Campaign for Real Education, which wants more parental choice in state education, said the "ridiculous" policy was robbing children of their childhood.
Spokesman Chris McGovern added: "Children take things very seriously and if you tell them they can't have a best friend it can be seriously damaging to them. They need to learn about relationships."
The world is seriously going nuts. It bugs the hell out of me that teachers are screwing with interpersonal relationships. It truly is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. How do you learn to cope with unpleasant occurrences if life is never unpleasant when you're a kid? It's one of life's lessons. And how much would be lost by never having such a relationship if one is meant to be?
Replies: (list all replies)
THE stupidest rule I've ever heard. I thought this was going to be the story about the school in NJ that banned "hugs" yesterday. Principal came over the PA system and announced that the will be no hugging in school. No explanation. Now that was obviously a way to deal with an over-zealous hugger, adult or child, to avoid litigation.
It's a sad, sad world. Private school and Homeschooling are looking better and better every day to me. Nicky
Replies: (list all replies)
Replies: (list all replies)
The idea itself is ridiculous. Aside from the points already made in other responses to this post ... what about the fact that not every child does well in large groups? What will they do with the shy child? Force everyone to talk to him/her? Would that child even want that? Ridiculous.
I'm still friends with almost all of my closest friends from grade school, even though we live in different states. But even if early friendships don't last, you have to learn how to handle the stresses of life. Parents (and others) who try to protect kids from experiencing life will have a rude awakening when the child grows up and doesn't have the skills to handle life's ups and downs.
Besides, do they really think the kids won't establish different degrees of closeness with different peers? May as well be herding cats...
Replies: (list all replies)