I have observed this myself for many years as I teach primarily 9th and
10th grade students. I think part of the problem is that adults view
situations from the experience of our "maturity" and from remembering our
own past. In addition, we probably see life a little differently now that
we have experienced an intimate relationship and understand what gets the
libido excited.
Teens and preteens are both rather inexperienced (for the most part) and
still because of the society we live in, quite aware of at least their
potential. Unfortunatly, they are also filled with misconception: boys
often think the girls only are interested in the guys for their cars, money
etc. while girls think all guys are predators.
My experience is that young people are usually much kinder and more gentle
than most adults give them credit for, and often what we interpret from
their behaviors is in our thoughts, not theirs. Still, it is an adult
world and we must protect them from their own "errors" in judgement.
Gregg
Scott wrote:
This has gotta be one of the most complex aspects of teaching in what
would
be High School here in the US. Uneven experience, moral and physical
development and sexual awareness in students complicated by the widely
varied (and often blinkered) expectations of parents and the general
public.
Students are quite often capable of having a totally different vision of
something they produce than the interpretation likely to be placed on
it by
others, as you mention. Then comes the problem of trying to recognize
and
reward what may well be great work in a situation where the work may
not be
able to be shown. I can remember controversy over student art from all
the
way back when I was a student, myself. Requires a courageous school
administration to just go ahead and post them as they get them.
Unfortunately, also as you mention, that sometimes means some form of
professional suicide is committed. Parents rarely seem willing to
believe
that their child independently produced an image which they found
disturbing.
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