Yes. SPOIL. As in create rotten little fuckers. Not "Here Johnny, here's your toy fire engine for Christmas"...
So a teacher is assaulted by a bratty snot-nosed little pillock and can, for obvious reasons, not even defend himself. He is forced to skulk away from the altercation like a whipped dog, thereby affirming his lack of influence or authority. I was a laaitie once, I can completely understand the impulse to resort to violence as a form of expression. We are ill-equipped to deal with so many situations at that awkward age. Our instinct is to try and elevate ourselves socially by making attempts at alpha-dog style domination. Wrong! I may have thought about how cool it would have been, but knowing that I'd get moered for stepping out of line by my elders and betters was sufficient deterrent. I have, as a direct result, received an enviable education and have made a relative success of myself without having to resort to crime or being a complete dick. Imagine the tables were turned and it was the teacher who acted so inappropriately. Immediate suspension and I'd guarantee some sort of charge resulting in a prison sentence. But, hey, at least little Casper wasn't harmed, eh...
Corporal punishment was never meant to be seen as the sole means through which to instill discipline. It was merely the ultimate in a series of escalating punishments and formed part of a grounded and productive regime of child rearing (hahaha! I said "child rearing"). Unfortunately, as the fabric of our society has gradually unravelled, the basics have all but disappeared. Kids are no longer nurtured to the same extent at home. Teachers are woefully underpaid and couldn't give a rat's arse any longer. Leaving us with a crop of young people, disillusioned and lacking the life skills to pass on to the next generation. Vicious circle, when you consider that some of these go on to become the educators of your special little miracles. And parents themselves. Unfortunately, the bullet is through the church...
So much for "Children should be seen and not heard". Whilst I agree that slogans such as these are possibly a little archaic, they do allude to a set of values that are sorely lacking in today's society. Without any recognised form of social hierarchy, and the absolute dissolution of negative consequence for bad behaviour, what chance do we have? Or am I just an old fart who's stuck in the same "my days were better than anyone else's days" rut? Perhaps education via unfiltered media such as Twitter IS the way forward. Perhaps cretinous behaviour should be actively encouraged. Lord Of The Flies, ladies and gentlemen, Lord Of The Flies. Eventually mob rule will sort our dissidents. It's got to be better than healthy respect and a chance at a fulfilling career and future, no?
Fuck it. Too much negativity. I'm going to image google Amber Rayne and hope for the best.
And you know what? It's not all doom and gloom. At least we have Neal. And his charming, witty upliftment of humanity.
NGDG: Getting to, into and away in your car from a parking lot without being spotted by a guard after money is about the most Jason Bourne feeling a law-abiding man can have.
Spread The Love. Six Of The Best IS Love.
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