Opus 2015-143: Poisoned

I had a student take another dose of poison recently.  He is still functioning but his system is weaker.

After meetings with his mother, he had been working to get in a couple of late assignments.  Then one day he announced that he was not going to be finishing them.  To my raised eyebrows and questioning look he informed me that his mother said he did not need to do them.  After a moments thought I said something to the effect, “Did this happen after she was told you would be promoted to high school no matter how many classes you failed?”  He nodded his head.

To his credit, he was not bragging and celebrating.  I think he knew in his heart that this was not good for him in the long run, but let’s be real here.  Who can really blame a child when he sees that the short term results will be the same if he works hard or he kicks back, and chooses to take the easy way?  What would I do if I was told that I would be paid whether I showed up for work or not? 

My understanding is that there are some poisons that kill you slowly.  They are relatively harmless until they reach a critical concentration.  It is a constant theme in murder mysteries.  So who is responsible for poisoning this young man?  Who is teaching him all the bad habits that will make success impossible?  The end result will not show up for years.  It is possible that he will get the antidote.

If parents were doing it right this would not be an issue.  If the school district really had standards and the will to enforce them, it would not be an issue.  If society would condemn such behavior, it would not be a problem.  Whom do I blame most?  The student.  We as individuals are responsible for the decisions we make.  We may not have perfect options.  We may be lacking in so many areas.  Still, it is what we do that makes for success or not.  Some will make it in life no matter what is thrown at them.  Some will crash and burn no matter what advantages they have.  Ultimately it comes down to you and me being responsible.

homo unius libri