The Impact of a Struggling Economy on Our Youth
While so many families are desperately trying to manage dwindling purchasing power and deteriorating home values, schools and school leaders should do their part to mitigate the potentially negative effects that economic strain and uncertainty can have on our youth. Surely, we've all taken note of the amount of violence and other disruptive behaviors being played out in schools across the country. What is disturbing about these reports is that students seem to be increasingly violent in their attacks against schoolmates and are not simply inflicting physical force on others but are actually using weapons in the process. How we interpret and respond to the complex and unspoken needs of so many obviously troubled youth is our immediate and most urgent task in schools. The first step is to acknowledge that many of the students invloved in incidents often find themselves on the margins academically and feel ignored by the adults in their lives - parents and teachers.
As educators, we can fill the gaps in their out-of-school time with after school activities and weekend enrichment programs. As school budgets increasingly eliminate these kinds of expenditures, communities of faith, private companies, entreprenuers, and foundations must intervene to share in the financial responsibility. I am almost certain that the expense associated with operating after school and weekend programs pales in comparison to what it would cost all of us if we failed to properly address the needs of students who are at risk of succumbing to negative behaviors. We need more partners from the social service, law enforcement, health, and medical professions to help facilitate school cultures that are conducive to high academic achievement, safe schools, and secure learning environments. If we combine our resources and talents, we can assist families as they manage so many economic and domestic uncertainties while also making sure that students everywhere arrive for classes able and ready to learn.
As educators, we can fill the gaps in their out-of-school time with after school activities and weekend enrichment programs. As school budgets increasingly eliminate these kinds of expenditures, communities of faith, private companies, entreprenuers, and foundations must intervene to share in the financial responsibility. I am almost certain that the expense associated with operating after school and weekend programs pales in comparison to what it would cost all of us if we failed to properly address the needs of students who are at risk of succumbing to negative behaviors. We need more partners from the social service, law enforcement, health, and medical professions to help facilitate school cultures that are conducive to high academic achievement, safe schools, and secure learning environments. If we combine our resources and talents, we can assist families as they manage so many economic and domestic uncertainties while also making sure that students everywhere arrive for classes able and ready to learn.
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