Opus 2015-165: In Loco Parentis

Recently as I was reading an article on Power Line Blog, I came across the Latin phrase, “in loco parentis”.  It is one I quote to students at school when they tell me I am not their father.  I use it after I tell them, “And I am thankful for that.”  The term is supposed to mean that teachers are serving in the place of the parents since the parents are not there.  In theory it gives us the authority to deal with many issues that would otherwise be none of our business.

I have always used it as a concept that gives me the right to make the student sit up and fly right.  As I read it today I had another thought:  The parents are obviously basket cases or the kid would not be acting this way.  If I am taking the place of the parent, and enforce the standards of the parent, my response would be to cuss them out, turn the TV up louder and/or get another beer.  This would certainly avoid a lot of confusion and make my life easier.

Several problems emerge immediately.  First and second and third, I don’t cuss or watch TV and I don’t drink.  This seriously cuts down on my options.  I try humor but many students don’t have the mental wattage to understand anything that does not include a four letter word.  I would try reason but that requires them to listen and respond.  Experience has told me that is a cul-de-sac. 

I meet a good number of parents that are on the same team with me.  Usually their children are not the ones I phone home about or kick out of class.  Occasionally they have a bad day.  Everyone does, but antisocial ignorance is not their forte.

So in a sense, I do not want to be a replacement parent for these future voters.

homo unius libri