Adolescent years can be some of the toughest developmental years people can go through. Everyone knows what it is like feeling awkward in high school. Some, more than others. I feel like there should be an mandatory tolerance class in high school. I feel as though a class that talks about issues such as cultures, stereotypes, sexual preference, and teasing could help many more students feel at ease with themselves and other people. It would be a great ice breaker to social barriers, and make students open their minds. I feel as though the class should be taken as an introductory course to make students feel more welcome and comfortable in their skin.
Tolerance class would identify with the ethical theory of utilitarianism. The majority of students would benefit from the class because they are seeing that there is a world outside of their own. Many students will find peace with themselves and each other. The results of the class could end up with less violence, less adolescent depression, and more open-minded and culturally accepting teens.
As per a report, around 20% teens will tend to undergo through a phase of depression prior to adulthood. Normally, depression occurs due to lack of understanding of the view points or due to the filling of guilt in oneself (http://www.knowtheteens.com/). A tolerance class could minimize, perhaps alleviate teen depression by making the students happy with themselves and not feel guilty about not being perfect, since no one is. Teens in whom depression is not treated are more 10 times more prone to engage in antisocial activities such as consuming alcohol, drug abuse, and illicit physical relationships… Over 95% teens with depression will withdraw from friends, family, and career opportunities.
I feel the class could solve this problem with learning tolerance of themselves and other people at the early pivotal pre-adult stage. Making people feel more accepted will lead to a greater confidence and will build a brighter future in career choices and secure socialization.
Suicide is the third leading cause of 15-24 year olds (http://www.save.org). In a Youth Risk survey 8.5% of students in grades 9-12 reported a suicide attempt in the past year (http://www.teachervision.fen.com). And many of the suicide attempts have to do with feeling unaccepted and insecure. I feel like a Tolerance class can affect the suicide rates by making young people feel more accepted and that there is nothing wrong with who they are. If the class would start with cultural acceptance, then maybe there would not be so many racial barriers in the United States. Every culture would be able to identify with other cultures and know how to respect certain customs. It could also melt many stereotypes younger people may attach to other cultures. Many people fear what they do not know, and judge based on fear. I feel like the class could properly teach students how much more similar they are than different from each other which could make for a friendlier atmosphere. It could also decrease teasing since the class would open students’ eyes to behaviors that are appropriate.
The class itself could make everyone see through everyone’s eyes. The class could make students more open to communication which can help them in their future as adults. Students will be able to walk in each other’s shoes and realize the boundaries with teasing and the effects that it causes. Looking at the utilitarianism theory, seems like the class would be fair and produce a better outcome from the future of students. I do not see where the class could be wrong. Ignorance is not bliss, and exposure to people’s differences can only open minds. In most people’s lives, high school is a very pivotal stage. Everyone wants to feel accepted by other’s in their own skin, and I think the class is a huge step in the right direction. Teen suicides mostly happen out of depression or low self esteem… both of which are caused by teasing and heckling. From a deontology stand point, the class is necessary for that reason. Again, looking at the “Golden Rule” theory, no one wants to hurt or feel pain from judgment and rejection, and the class can remind students of the “Golden Rule” they may have seemed to forgot. No one is flawless, and focusing on other people’s imperfections only seems to make you more weary about your own. The class could build character in the virtue ethic. For instance, they are learning to accept themselves along with others which can disengage social boundaries and make students find the “Golden Mean” of acceptance and tolerance.
As far as relativism, I feel as though people of certain backgrounds may see it wrong to accept certain lifestyles. For instance, a student raised from a Christian background may not find it right to become friends with someone who is homosexual. Maybe an athlete does not want to have to tolerate an inactive, over weight student because of their differences. My argument to this is everyone wants to be treated with respect. No one is the same, and we all should embrace the fact we have differences, but also have the same quality. We are all flawed human beings, and the class is not asking people to change their own culture, but just embrace everyone’s differences as you would like your own to be. With the theory of emotivism, some students may argue they should not have to take a class on acceptance because they are forced to accept other students they do not want to associate with. I think it is a bad argument and it opens up the door to prejudices among students. And as far as ethical egoism, that is almost inevitable. Everyone is going to do what makes them happy… but teasing makes no one happy. This class will bring teasing to a minimum because it will help students embrace each other and respect each other’s differences.
A mandatory tolerance class could be nothing but positive for high school students. It would lead to a far more relaxed atmosphere, diverse friendships, and self acceptance. It could minimize the social distractions of school and make it easier to focus more on learning that judging.
References:
Suicide Awareness (2011) Suicide Facts. Retrieved from http://www.save.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewpage&page_id=705d5df4-055b-f1ec-3f66462866fcb4e6
Gay Life (2011) Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Youth Suicide Statistics. Retrieved from “http://gaylife.about.com/od/gayteens/a/gaysuicide.htm”
Know the Teens (2011) Teen mental health : Statistics of depression and suicide. Retrieved from “http://www.knowtheteens.com/teen-mental-health-statistics-of-depression-and-suicide.html”
Mosser, K (2010). Introduction to Ethics and Social Responsibility. San Diego, Bridge point Education, Inc Retrieved from “https://content.ashford.edu”
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