School 1960 vs. 2008
Scenario: Johnny and Mark get into a fistfight after school.
1960 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up mates.
2008 - Police are
called, SWAT team arrives and arrests Johnny and Mark. Mobiles with
video of fight confiscated as evidence. They are charged with assault,
AVOs are taken out and both are suspended even though Johnny started
it. Diversionary conferences and parent meetings conducted. Video shown
on 6 internet sites.
Scenario: Jeffrey won't sit still in class, disrupts other students.
1960 - Jeffrey is
sent to the principal's office and given a good paddling. Returns to
class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.
2008 - Jeffrey is
given huge doses of Ritalin. Counselled to death. Becomes a zombie.
Tested for ADD. School gets extra funding because Jeffrey has a
disability. Drops out of school.
Scenario: Billy breaks a window in his neighbour's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.
1960 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.
2008 - Billy's dad
is arrested for child abuse. Billy is removed to foster care and joins
a gang. Psychologist tells Billy's sister that she remembers being
abused herself and their dad goes to prison. Billy's mum has an affair
with the psychologist. Psychologist gets a promotion.
Scenario: Jack, a college student, brings cigarettes to school .
1960 - Jack shares a smoke with the school principal out on the smoking area.
2008 - Police are called and Jack is expelled from school for drug possession. His car is searched for drugs and weapons.
Scenario: Jorge fails high school English.
1960 - Jorge goes to remedial English, passes and goes to college.
2008 - Jorge's cause
is taken up by local human rights group. Newspaper articles appear
nationally explaining that making English a requirement for graduation
is racist. Civil Liberties Association files class action lawsuit
against state school system and his English teacher. English is banned
from core curriculum. Jorge is given his Y10 anyway but ends up mowing
lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.
Scenario: Tommy takes apart leftover firecrackers, puts them in a model plane paint bottle and blows up an anthill.
1960 - Ants die.
2008 - Security and
ASIO are called and Tommy is charged with domestic terrorism. Teams
investigate parents, siblings are removed from the home, computers are
confiscated, and Tommy's dad goes on a terror watch list and is never
allowed to fly again.
Scenario: Dave falls
during recess and scrapes his knee. His teacher, Mary, finds him
crying, and gives him a hug to comfort him.
1960 - Dave soon feels better and goes back to playing.
2008 - Mary is
accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces three
years in prison. Dave undergoes five years of therapy. Becomes gay.
