I think parents aren't strict enough. The schools have their hands tied to a certain extent but there's definitely room for improvement.
Alias Irrelevante
Frankly, I don't have the wherewithall to answer this question.
Felicia,
38
Lowell, MA USA
I find that my son's school seems to be just strict enough. I can't judge any others.
Tam
I think it depends on the school and the teachers.
Jane,
63
West Linn, OR USA
In some ways the strictness is good, they do not tolerate bullying, but I think that they are too strict they are killing creativity, individual style in some of kids that they cannot think for themselves (out of the box).
KarenNJ,
45
Milltown, NJ USA
I think they
are getting way too strict. For instance, my old high school will not
let kids wear
anything that shows their shoulders anymore. Which is extremely ridulous,
given that they have a swim team & a wrestling team and that it gets
really hot in the school sometimes (most of it isn't air conditioned).
Kids also can't have their backpacks in the halls, so they're supposed
to lug around heavy books in their arms. The fact is, if you ask an adult
his or her motivation
for doing or not doing something during youth, (s)he will probably not
say "The school's strict policies made up my mind for me." Kids
aren't going to avoid sex/drugs/violence/gangs just because the school
says so. And they might just do the right thing for their own reasons--I
wore tank tops (even with spaghetti straps) to school, and I didn't run
around having sex
with all the boys. I carried a backpack, and I did sneak Tylenol in it,
but I didn't have illegal drugs or guns or anything. I wore a chain wallet
and wasn't in a gang. I have no idea why the schools are so obsessive
these days, and I honestly don't know if I'll be able to back up their
ridiculous rules when my kids are in school.
Karen,
23
Ames, IA USA
I don't think it's a matter of levels of strictness. It really depends on the individual teacher. With overcrowded classrooms and parents unwilling to back up the teacher's authority chaos tends to occur.
Sarah
Lowell, MA USA
The question is too broad. I eschew both blanket damnation and unfocused optimism.
Jill,
61
Saylorsburg, PA USA
The schools are not strict enough. Students leave with an inadequate education and little respect for others and for themselves. Granted, schools cannot and should not do the job of parents, but I don't think they do their own job well because they are reluctant to be strict.
Cathie,
54
Novi, MI USA