Paradigm Shift – What are we teaching?
|
We want them to be responsible,
so we take away all responsibility We want them to be positive and constructive, so we degrade them and make them useless We want them to be non-violent, so we put them where there is violence all around them We want them to be kind and loving people, so we subject them to hatred and cruelty We want them to quit being the tough guy, so we put them where the tough guy is respected We want them to quit hanging around losers, so we put all the “losers” under one roof We want them to quit exploiting us, so we put them where they exploit each other We want them to take control of their lives, so we make them totally dependent Dennis Challen, 1986. “Making It Right: A Common Sense Approach to Criminal Justice” |
We want them to be responsible,
so we show them how they are responsible for the consequences of their choices We want them to be positive and constructive, so we model, reinforce and reward positive and constructive attitudes We want them to be non-violent, so we help them use practical, non-violent options to solve their problems We want them to be kind and loving people, so we encourage their kindness and reinforce the love they already have for family and friends We want them to quit being the tough guy, so we show how respect and tolerance are fundamental to society We want them to quit hanging around losers, so we help them become winners We want them to quit exploiting us, so we remain beyond exploitation We want them to take control of their lives, so we show them how they can Sam Halstead, 1999. “Educational Discipline using the Principles of Restorative Justice” |