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 - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake