Pubdate: Thu, 07 Jun 2007
Source: Boulder Weekly (CO)
Copyright: 2007 Boulder Weekly
Contact:  http://www.boulderweekly.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/57
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n665/a15.html
Author: Paul McClain
Note: Titled by newshawk

SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECY

I hope Mr. Psychologist knows that if any wrong things come from his 
comments, like students getting STDs, pregnant or drug-related health 
issues, he can potentially be sued. This is a society where young 
people do take to heart what is told to them, and it is also a 
society that is sue-happy. If anything whatsoever goes wrong with his 
advice, he can be sued. He must realize that this is a real 
consequence when giving information out to school-aged children.

Also, the psychologist no doubt has learned that people will amount 
and do what is expected of them (self-fulfilling prophecy). If they 
are told they will fail, they usually will. If they are told they 
will have sex, they will. Students will rise to the level of 
expectations you set before them (I say this as a teacher and as a 
parent). Finally, he may not know this, but as an educator you must 
try to keep your own opinions on issues out of the classroom (or gym 
in this case). I try not to sway my students one way or another, but 
rather let them figure things out on their own.

Children are smart enough if given proper tools to discern things at 
appropriate times. Mr. Psychologist needs to think about these things 
before trying to impose his views on children - they are children, 
after all, and not old enough to vote, go to war or drink legally 
(and some not old enough to drive legally, either). I do hope 
repercussions are made for this doctor of sex and drugs.

Paul McClain/via Internet
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake