Dark Secret About Education Part II

In my previous article called the Dark Secret AboutTo this end, our juvenile court system with high
Education, I used four of my five steps (from arecidivism rates and antiquated laws, (encouraging the
coaching process I call successful living )to focus onreunification of abused and neglected children with
the need to reform our educational system. Thisparents who are damaged mentally, emotionally, and
article will complete my discussion.socially), all need more reassessment and renovation.
Believe in Positive Power.The courts must hold families accountable for child
We can revitalize the whole educational system byabuse, neglect, and criminal behavior.
more study of an emphasis on ethics, logic,We should hold the educational and juvenile court
philosophy, religions, the arts, sciences, and a greatersystem accountable for providing the necessary
awareness of the power of positive thinking. Ourtreatment and support services necessary to salvage
educators could start by teaching young people, Thechildren, who are damaged by the bad decisions and
Five Steps To Successful Living.self-destructive behaviors of their parents.
Above all else, young people should be given moreI believe parenting is not a right, it is a privilege. I
opportunity to creatively discuss, and becomethink our culture should protect the rights of children
involved in solving current social problems. We needto be safe from harmful parents as much as the legal
more programs like the Olympics of the Mind, forsystems protects the rights of all adults.
example.If necessary, pass a new constitutional amendment
Our country can benefit from inspired adults whoto guarantee our children legal protection from
sponsor projects that provide rewards to our youthdamaged parents who sexually, physically, or
for trying to resolve our great social challenges: theemotional abuse them.
environment, crime, racism, violence, substanceWe can't afford to wait any longer for improvements
abuse, obesity, poverty, incarceration, rehabilitation,in the educational system. Our dark secret says,"
and even terrorism.Leave it alone; somebody else can fix it."
We also need to believe that our educational systemWe need to face the social problems of today, not
can and will involve parents once again in adeny them, or believe we are too busy to resolve
collaborative effort to educate our young people, andthem. We can act now to do something positive
model acceptable social behaviors.about these problems.
Parents may have to be held responsible for keepingLet us begin by expressing our feelings, both
their kids in school, and for teaching appropriate socialnegative and positive about our educational crisis. We
values, preventative healthcare and positive mentalcan start using positive thinking to develop a
attitudes.meaningful plan of action.
Parents who leave their children alone all day toThe only thing that can try to hold us back or our
watch television, or let them wander the streetscountry back is the dark secret of fear. The negative
unsupervised, or abuse, or neglect them, could beside whispers in our ears: "Nothing better can be
held accountable by our society.done at this time." But the only power fear has is the
They might be encouraged to pay for the socialinfluence we give it by avoidance, denial, despair,
treatment programs necessary to make up for theanger, depression, guilt, and shame.
deficiency in their parenting skills.