Has High School Become Worse for Today's Students?

Is high school worse now for students than it used to be? The answer isn't a blanket 'yes' or 'no,' but rather it varies depending on several factors, including the school, the staff, and the individual's personal experiences. To explore this question in more depth, let's consider some key points that contribute to the perception that today's high school experience might be worse.

The Decline in Teacher and Student Behavior

Over the years, the priorities and behaviors of both teachers and students have changed significantly. Teachers are now faced with seeing negative behaviors escalate at younger and younger ages, and these behaviors are increasingly complex and severe. This shift is evident in the growing prevalence of issues such as:

Weapons and drugs: Students as young as first graders are being found with guns, knives, and drugs, indicating a concerning maturation of problematic behaviors at an alarmingly young age. Sexual behaviors: Adolescents are engaging in increasingly shocking and mature sexual behaviors that shock even adults.

Given these trends, it's reasonable to hypothesize that by the time students reach high school, they are either 'cured' of their early behaviors or have become more adept at managing them. This factor, coupled with the increasing complexity of disciplinary measures, further complicates the challenges faced by educators.

The Complexities of Student Discipline

The ability to discipline students has become more convoluted. A prime example of this is the handling of a 13-year-old student who attacked a new student at school without provocation. This aggressive incident resulted in a one-day suspension, during which the same student returned to school with a large knife, threatening to complete the assault. The school initially considered a suspended expulsion but ultimately chose to transfer the student to another school within the district. This case underscores the challenges faced when dealing with severe student behavior.

It's important to note that this situation occurred in one of the 'most affluent' districts in the county, highlighting the widespread nature of these problems, not just limited to underprivileged areas.

The Impact of the Pandemic

Another significant factor affecting today's high school environment is the impact of the pandemic. Since the onset of COVID, many students have returned to school with a notable lack of enthusiasm and engagement. Teachers often describe these students as "feral," displaying behaviors that are both inappropriate and challenging to manage. These include:

Rough-housing: Students engage in physical play that can escalate to a level that could be classified as sexual assault. Lack of respect for personal space: Students lack the proper boundary awareness, touching or invading the personal space of others inappropriately. Anxiety and defiance: Students show a complete lack of respect for authority, following explicit directions, or adhering to school policies.

These behaviors, coupled with their tendency to disregard consequences and continue inappropriate actions, such as leaving school without permission or disrespecting the school’s rules, reflect a serious decline in ethical behavior and discipline.

Parental Influence and Society's Role

The decline in high school's environment can also be attributed to several external factors, including:

Video Games: Interactive media, particularly video games, can contribute to a lack of focus and concern for real-world responsibilities. Television, movies, and the internet: Exposure to mature content can desensitize students to appropriate behavior and expectations. Lack of parental supervision: Students may be spending significant time unsupervised, leading to a lack of appropriate guidance and role modeling. Consequences and legal limitations: Young people are more likely to exhibit problematic behavior if they believe they will not face serious consequences before reaching the age of 18.

While not every student exhibits these behaviors, a growing number do. For instance, the number of students displaying such behaviors suggests a shift from one out of every 300 to one out of every 50, indicating a significant rise in problematic student behavior.

Conclusion

The perception that high school is worse now than it was in the past is not without basis. Changes in student behavior, the complexity of discipline, the impact of the pandemic, and external factors like media and societal norms have all contributed to this shift. While individual experiences vary, the overall trend indicates a concerning evolution in high school environments.

Keywords: high school, student behavior, teacher discipline, ethical decline, youth maturity