In the journal article, “A Tangle of Discourses: Girls Negotiating Adolescence.” by Rebecca Raby. She outlined five discourses, the storm, becoming, at risk, social problem, and pleasure consumption. One that has been the media recently that she writes about is “social problem.” She writes, “Discourses of teens as a social problem thus collect into popular concerns about delinquency, and advocacy for techniques of social control such as ‘boot camps’ and zero tolerance policies for high schools (see, for example, Ontario Provincial Government, 2001). Through such policies, a number of schools in North America have even banned activities such as hugging and touch football to prevent students from touching each other (presumably this is to avoid contact that may escalate into fighting)” ( Raby 436).
A few years ago I saw a news story on the Today Show about a school banning hugs. I found an article on the Today Show website that talks about banning hugs. The subtitle says, "Most forms of physical contact now barred from nation's halls of learning." http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/21097673/ns/today-good_news/t/schools-jumping-hug-ban-wagon/
I also found the story on Youtube for The Daily Buzz it starts at 0:36 seconds. In it the news anchors speaks about a school in Oregon. It speaks about the different hugs like, a backpack hug and congratulatory hugs and on how some of the hugs were inappropriate. The article by Raby explains this school in Oregon does not want things to escalate to something serious.
I also found the story on Youtube for The Daily Buzz it starts at 0:36 seconds. In it the news anchors speaks about a school in Oregon. It speaks about the different hugs like, a backpack hug and congratulatory hugs and on how some of the hugs were inappropriate. The article by Raby explains this school in Oregon does not want things to escalate to something serious.
Another video I found based on the “social problem” in terms of violence was on a show titled “Beyond Scared Straight” in the show they bring troubled teens to a local prison. The parents and prison inmates try to show the young teens how a life of crime will land them in jail. The article writes on schools having a no tolerance policies for violence. Most of these teens usually get in trouble outside of school.
sources
Raby, Rebecca. 5/26/2011. Journal of Youth Studies"A Tangle of Discourses :Girls Negotiated Adolescence."5.4. 435-448. 2002. Helin Library Catalog.
The focus on violence committed by teens does deserve our attention. However, it ignores the vast majority of teens that do not commit violent acts. I learned in a justice studies course that prior to Columbine, the public school system was the safest it has ever been. It makes me wonder what would be the best focus for adults and teens?
ReplyDeleteGreat connections and use of media! Next time elaborate, you mentioned the 5 discourses Raby outlined but didn't go into detail. Can't wait to hear more about what you have to say in class :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Katherine because most teens are not criminals and do not have to be scared straight. I think that troubled teens may just need someone to talk to and to talk about their problems. That may be more effective than throwing them in jail.
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