The School Subject on the DL

Walk down a high school hallway, and it's pretty common to see couples being affectionate with each other. Public displays aside, more and more teens are experiencing violence within dating relationships—studies show one out of every four teen relationships is abusive. Now, an often overlooked aspect of teen dating is earning some much-needed attention.

Earlier this week USA Today reported Rhode Island is passing a law named after Lindsey Ann Burke, who died at 23 because of relationship abuse. This law will mandate that students be taught about relationship abuse (sexual, verbal, physical, and emotional) in grades 7 to 12.

Unfortunately, students don't always like to hear what a counselor has to say about their lives or, for that matter, their love lives. That's where a group of California students steps in with their drama Know More. In Know More, students perform skits about relationship abuse to let other students know they are not alone and give students a safe outreach to get help if they are being abused.

Should schools discuss this topic, or are they getting too personal? Are there other relationship topics schools should address?

Comments

[Byron Allgood]

I think that this is a great idea! My wife is a Social Worker that helps mis-guided teens and it seems like everyday she comes home with her heart heavy because one of her clients are showing signs of depression because of an abusive relationship. She has mentioned that when she begins to suggest coping methods and possible solutions to help, the kids react as if that is the first time that they heard of the information. Those kind of suprised reactions comes from a lack of education on abuse. Teaching today's youth about abuse in schools will help reduce abusive relationship. By hearing valuable information in class is a great way to inform kids about the differences of a healthy and unhealthy relationship.

[Loren Webb]

I think this is a fantastic idea. I think children need to hear certain things, even if they do not want to. The drama portion of this article stuck out to me. Students relate to drama and I think that is an awesome way to get their attention.

[Diana Tripi]

I am a teacher and one of the most frightening moments of my career was dealing with a girl that had been punched by her boyfriend. The boy was dealt with by the school, but the girl was ignored and embarrassed. Even her parents did not want anyone to know. I was advised to mind my own business. I hope she is safe and happy somewhere.I think that if we can screen children for eye problems, ear problems, scoliosis and dental problems, we can spend some time on abuse issues.

[Shanna Scott]

I think this is a great idea! I think a better place to discuss this topic would be in Family Life class. Because of the demands on SOL's there is very little time in the school day to have assemblies, so I am quite sure a Family Life teacher can discuss this topic.

[Traci]

I think this is an exceptional idea that can be, and should be, taught along with every other "real life" issue in the classrooms. That's why so many of us went into teaching is to make a difference, and realistically - you won't make too much of a difference with English, math, French, Global studies, etc. You need to make a difference with the real stuff - the stuff that really matters. Sadly, kids don't hear it enough from home what a healthy relationship is and should be and even what their self-esteem should be at so it is up to teachers to be secondary parents - as much as it is not in our job description, we do it because we care. That is why we are teachers. I want to and will take on all real issues because those are the "teachable moments" I've always wanted to have. I would HATE to have my student going through something horrible and have myself ignore it because it's "not my business" or "getting too personal." I would hate for my students to think I don't care, because I do. This is the first step to show them how much we care.

[Dr. Marybeth Peebles]

Educators are mandated to report suspicions of child abuse, and relationship abuse certainly falls under that category for early to late teens. This issue is one that may be addressed during the Advisor-Advisee time in the middle school or during teacher-student conferences at the high school level. The California group's presentation of Know More would be a good topic for a school-wide (or grade-wide) assembly program.