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A teacher speaks: chalk schoolies up to experience

Michael Stuchbery

by Michael Stuchbery

02 Dec 05:35am

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Filed under: School, Schoolies Week, Teachers, Youth

30 comments

The last few weeks have seen the annual surge of stories talking about the dangers facing young adults celebrating the end of their compulsory schooling.

Students head off to Schoolies Week to get hammered

Most of the headlines have been taken up with reports on the tragic fatal electrocution of a young man in Bali. However, coming close behind have been a glut of current affairs pieces, garnished with a menacing techno soundtrack, detailing the many and varied ways Australia’s sons and daughters can either have their lives ruined or cut short during Schoolies.

Predictably, parents across the nation have made public their fear and reluctance to allow their offspring to go let off a little steam, far away from the stress that has been their constant companion for the last couple of years.

I get it, I really do.

While I don’t have kids, I’m a high school teacher. Every time I take kids past the school gates I am instantly aware of the rather large array of obstacles, pitfalls and bloody accidents waiting to befall the little darlings.

Every excursion to the museum is an installment in the Final Destination series for me. Quite aside from exterior threats, I know that even kids from very good schools - especially those from very good schools - need to be constantly watched to stop them from fighting, fornicating or setting things on fire.

I understand the fear. As I’m the legal guardian for fifty or sixty kids, six hours a day, I hope it never goes away.

However, we do really need to weigh up whether that fear is helpful when it comes to young people experiencing, what is for many, their first taste of “adult” life.

We talk a lot about young people developing resilience and we make rancorous noises about the kids of today lacking a certain ticker. We bemoan their laying in front of the widescreen tv, trying to get that killstreak in MW3.

Every so often, some well-meaning child psychologist will give them a new disorder or identify some deficiency that means they’re unable to get up, get out there and grapple with the challenges of employment, relationships and the breakneck pace of the 21st century.

Who can blame them? We box our young people in, hesitant to let them out to explore out of the fear that what we see happening to a grieving family on our television screens will happen to our own. A couple of young people meet terrible accidents in a certain locale, God forbid, and that place becomes anathema for the parents of Australia when their kids start talking about what they’re going to do at the end of the year.

What we need to realize that the world is a dangerous place, no matter where we go. Objects lying around our own homes will kill us half a dozen ways, given the opportunity. According the ABS, 25 per cent of young people will injure themselves in some way and most of those incidents will happen during their leisure time. Taking it easy can be deadly.

You don’t need to travel to a developing country, or even as near as the Gold Coast to put yourself in danger.

We also need to realize that yes, kids on Schoolies will drink, mostly to excess. They’ll take drugs. Some will have brief, messy fumblings in a hotel room bed.

Isn’t it better that we know exactly when that is going to happen, so we can focus our drug and sex education strategies accordingly? Isn’t it better to have that (incredibly awkward) discussion about sex, drugs and responsibility freshly rattling around the heads of our kids as they board the plane towards sun, surf and stubbies?

If they are, as we say, young adults, then shouldn’t we give them the benefit of the doubt, when it comes to a little partying?

The alternative is that our young people will be forced to negotiate those challenges at a later stage, with a lot less preparation. Taking something away from a young person gives it an allure and a cachet that means they’ll fall over themselves to indulge in it the minute older and wiser backs are turned. That’s when accidents, big or small are more likely to happen.

There’s a lot for parents to worry about as they send their kids off over the next month and they can be forgiven for being a little reluctant in letting them go. However, it is in the best interests of all of us to let them have that first small bite of the delights of adult life before they throw themselves in fully.

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30 comments

Show oldest | newest first

    • acotrel says:

      04:53am | 02/12/11

      When you bring up kids usibng authoritarian rule-based techniques, how do you expect them t o suddenly change to becoming risk conscious, and look at what could happen in various scenarios, the likelihood, and consequences of situations which might cause personal loss ? Setting boundaries for your kids might be necessary, however as they mature they must learn to take responsibility for their actions, and appropriately manage the risks in their lives.  They must learn about their ‘duty of care’ towards themselves and others.

      Reply

    • VVS says:

      07:38am | 02/12/11

      To quote the famous Ivan Drago: If he dies, he dies.

      You could possibly apply it to schoolies… possibly (and the training montages in Rocky IV were awesome too).

    • Anubis says:

      11:07am | 02/12/11

      acotrel - after your comments yesterday where you made it clear you would and did tell your kids to “piss off” while out shopping, and then walk away from them negates any remarks you can make relating to this article.

    • Jeremy says:

      05:23am | 02/12/11

      Parents these days really have no idea how hard they make it teenagers these days with there inconsistent, nonsensical rule making/breaking. Not many will learn to ‘take responsibility’ or ‘grow up’, when they so clearly have very little trust put in them. They are told that teenage years are the greatest (they’re not), but get in trouble for enjoying it the way the statement is meant, and told the world is before them… Just don’t touch it.

      Reply

    • mick says:

      06:05am | 02/12/11

      You have no idea Jeremy.  Half a century ago parents actually said ‘No’ when their children wanted to wander the streets at night -  it was not a right.  Schoolies was a drink at the pub with your classmates during daylight hours.  And self restraint and conduct was expected of all children.

      Your lament has no basis in history and you do what most children do today, whinge about your self perceived hard lot and your apparent lack of freedoms.  Since gen y children have demanded all the freedom of adults and to be financially sponsored by their parents. 

      So sorry to inform you that adulthood is more than physical development.  It is about responsibility and this is where young adults mostly fall way short.  Yes they want all the goodies but they do not want the baggage which comes with being an adult.

      Teenage years are indeed some of the best years of one’s life.  Because you are on the other side of life and demanding it all you think otherwise but you’ll agree in 40 years time after you grow up.

    • acotrel says:

      06:58am | 02/12/11

      @mick
      Are you one of the few who didn’t rebel against authority? It is not rocket science to get your kids thinking sensibly, but you cannot do it if you are regularly pissed !  It depends on their interaction with yourself , and how does that happen while we are all working unpaid overtime and studying to get ahead ?

    • Damocles says:

      07:18am | 02/12/11

      Well said mick! Couldn’t agree more. “Young adults” want it all without the personal responsibility that goes with it. So, suck it up young people, welcome to the real world where hopefully you’ll learn that with all your actions come consequences and life isn’t fair, get used to it.

    • John Smythe says:

      10:17am | 02/12/11

      Aco, way to miss the point completely.

    • Cookie Monster says:

      11:29am | 02/12/11

      WTF is acotrel going on about now ? Sounds like he’s the one that is regularly pissed - Friday drinks must have started early.

    • Mahhrat says:

      06:46am | 02/12/11

      The problem isn’t the kids; they’re just the result.

      Let me ask a question:  What happens when we see our leadership (Politicians, company CEOs, church leaders, and the judiciary) very clearly and blatantly avoiding responsibility?

      We follow, and accept no responsibility ourselves.

      The OP is right: there’s now a “condition” for every bad or unwanted behaviour.  Perhaps that is clinically accurate, but that shouldn’t absolve responsibility, just clarify it.

      I see this problem every day.  Leadership absolves themselves of responsibility, thus so does everyone else.

      Remember - if we don’t lead ourselves, eventually someone will simply take over.

      Reply

    • acotrel says:

      08:11am | 02/12/11

      @Mahrat
      ‘Let me ask a question:  What happens when we see our leadership (Politicians, company CEOs, church leaders, and the judiciary) very clearly and blatantly avoiding responsibility?’

      There is no question.  Everybody who’s been around a while knows that the system runs on bullshit.  That’s why we end up reasonably happy - we simply learn to live with it !  We can’t help it if the kids get smart and learn to play the game !  All anyone can do is dig their heels in and set an example for their own kids, communicate with them and lead by example in all things - especially if you work for the public service -  if you want to buck the system all you have to do is ACHIEVE ! (But realise when you do that, you could become a target.)

    • Jolanda says:

      07:08am | 02/12/11

      I personally think that half the problem is that there is a tendency by many adults to expect children to behave in a certain way in certain situations - for instance - Schoolies.  We all know that children like to please so if we expect them to muck up and misbehave then they will often do us proud. 

      Better we let them go with an understand that we expect them to show respect, restraint and to behave. 

      Generally kids believe that it doesn’t actually pay to be good because nobody is going to believe them anyway.  Unfortunately given the lack of respect that is given to young people, that is often true.

      What I often tell my kids when we talk about actions that are not appropriate is   “How is it going to look on the front page of the newspaper?”;  if you think “Not Good” then your answer is don’t do it.

      Education – Keeping them Honest
      http://jolandachallita.typepad.com/

      Reply

    • Jeremy says:

      07:58am | 02/12/11

      @Mick: Thanks for being so politely insulting. I’ve worked since I was 14. I left home at 16. I drink too much. Now in my mid-twenties I’m a Jr. Project Executive   for a pharma company. I’ve always supported myself and my habits, good and bad. There are many people in my age group and younger just like me. And just like in any generation there are people that mess it up, I can see them to and they reflect badly upon me to people like you.
      You’re apparently an adult and you’re still ‘whinging’ about how hard you had it. I love being a working adult far more than the crappy downtrodden teen years. That’s not whinging, it’s my own truth.

      Reply

    • Scotty P says:

      08:56am | 02/12/11

      My complaint about schoolies is the amount of money spent babysitting them when they are supposed to be celebrating becoming adults, adults do not need over $2 million spent codling them. Not to mention the public places/beaches that are suddenly off-limits to the tax paying members of the community that actually pay for them.
      Also the fact that the State Government spends millions promoting the Gold Coast as an international holiday destination then labels anyone over 18 that visits it as a tool and a trouble maker. I would hate to know how many overseas visitors leave with a sour taste in their mouths from their unexpected encounter with our Schoolies Week.
      They should shelve Schoolies Week and send all the evil spawn to bali.

      Reply

    • hot tub political machine says:

      08:58am | 02/12/11

      Parents across the nation aren’t watching the current affairs coverage because they are concerned about kids safety. If they were concerned about their safety they would be doing something reasonable like checking the police website for tips. Adults watch current affairs “programming” about teens for the obvious reason……to perve.

      I realise I’d be treading the line on moderation but here but I think its worth naming and shaming current affairs shows for their annual participation in the media’s corporate paedophilia week a.k.a. schoolies.

      Reply

    • duncan says:

      09:25am | 02/12/11

      Jellously,bitterness,self righetous

      These are the words what decribe most people who are aginst schoolies

      Don’t lie to yourselves if you could be 18 again you would love to be drunk partying and having sex with 18 year olds

      These teens are only partying for a week and when they are older they will look back on their youth and smile

      Most people are just jelly cause they missed out when they were young

      INB4 tyical ” if you have sex you will get an std” comments

      Reply

    • cayal says:

      10:38am | 02/12/11

      You’re the only one here who sounds like he is missing out.

      The rest of us have grown up. Perhaps you should too Pinnochio.

    • Anubis says:

      11:14am | 02/12/11

      @ Duncan - maybe you should consider postponing schoolies for yourself. Reading through your post shows that your schooling is incomplete.

      Jellously = Jealousy
      righetous = Righteous
      aginst = against
      cause = either ‘cause OR because

      Maybe another year where you concentrate on Grammar and spelling may help

    • marley says:

      12:58pm | 02/12/11

      @duncan - I’m not lying to myself when I say I wouldn’t ever again want to be drunk or have sex with 18 year olds.  Drunkenness gives me a bloody great hangover, and 18 years olds are terrible at sex.  But don’t worry, you’ll improve.

    • Wynston Cruso says:

      02:56pm | 02/12/11

      haha you beat me to it marley, well said. I don’t know anyone over 25 who’d have sex with an 18 year old who doesn’t know what they’re doing. Similar to the having sex with a virgin would be awesome myth. I for one would hate to be 18 again, why would I want to make myself more naive, stupider, unable to hold down alcohol and terrible at sex? You’ll also find that a lot of us have been there and done that duncan, and we’re far from the made up words you’ve used in your post.

    • subotic says:

      10:14am | 02/12/11

      Ah go on, let the little buggers have a shot at Life ®

      It’s all about the “Crash and Burn” realisation – I bleed, therefore I am.

      Sure, sometimes we get hurt, we hurt ourselves, and we hurt others. All about growing up, experiencing all the world has to offer, both good and bad.

      And hey, if we lose a few at schoolies, chances are they’ll be the ones most likely to have gotten that Darwin Award somewhere along the way in life anyway, right?

      Reply

    • amy says:

      11:07am | 02/12/11

      blah blah blah schoolies…..blah blah blah kids thease days

      in the end things change and life goes on…..and I dont care what young people do

      Reply

    • jade (the other one) says:

      12:05pm | 02/12/11

      I hate that anyone who is against Schoolies seems to be tarred immediately with a wowser brush. While I personally don’t agree with the free-for-all criminal behaviour that seems to go on (I refer here to public drinking and underage drinking), I feel that this is not as relevant an issue as the fact that the Gold Coast residents have to suffer significant indignities each year.

      I am sick and tired of my male friends who are Gold Coast residents being accused of being rapists, or toolies looking for a fight, because we do what we do every OTHER WEEKEND. I am sick of having to help friends clean yards of used prohylactics, faeces, vomit and urine during these two weeks of the year.

      Many people suggest that it is no different to any other weekend down the Gold Coast. As someone who spends many, many Saturday nights partying down the Gold Coast, I can assure you that it is nothing like a regular weekend. The filth and disrespect needs to end.

      I personally would like to see the suburbs of Brisbane invaded by the Gold Coast school leavers, and just one weekend of what Gold Coast residents have to endure for two straight weeks, and see all the Brisbane parents and hipsters say, “Oh you’re all just wowsers seeking to stop them having fun.” We hear enough angsty dribble from these communities every time a music festival is held at Doomben or RNA.

      But it seems as long as its not in your backyard, allowing children to damage property, and defile someone’s living space is A-OK.

      Reply

    • jade (the other one) says:

      12:06pm | 02/12/11

      I hate that anyone who is against Schoolies seems to be tarred immediately with a wowser brush. While I personally don’t agree with the free-for-all criminal behaviour that seems to go on (I refer here to public drinking and underage drinking), I feel that this is not as relevant an issue as the fact that the Gold Coast residents have to suffer significant indignities each year.

      I am sick and tired of my male friends who are Gold Coast residents being accused of being rapists, or toolies looking for a fight, because we do what we do every OTHER WEEKEND. I am sick of having to help friends clean yards of used prohylactics, faeces, vomit and urine during these two weeks of the year.

      Many people suggest that it is no different to any other weekend down the Gold Coast. As someone who spends many, many Saturday nights partying down the Gold Coast, I can assure you that it is nothing like a regular weekend. The filth and disrespect needs to end.

      I personally would like to see the suburbs of Brisbane invaded by the Gold Coast school leavers, and just one weekend of what Gold Coast residents have to endure for two straight weeks, and see all the Brisbane parents and hipsters say, “Oh you’re all just wowsers seeking to stop them having fun.” We hear enough angsty dribble from these communities every time a music festival is held at Doomben or RNA.

      But it seems as long as its not in your backyard, allowing children to damage property, and defile someone’s living space is A-OK.

      Reply

    • jade (the other one) says:

      12:06pm | 02/12/11

      I hate that anyone who is against Schoolies seems to be tarred immediately with a wowser brush. While I personally don’t agree with the free-for-all criminal behaviour that seems to go on (I refer here to public drinking and underage drinking), I feel that this is not as relevant an issue as the fact that the Gold Coast residents have to suffer significant indignities each year.

      I am sick and tired of my male friends who are Gold Coast residents being accused of being rapists, or toolies looking for a fight, because we do what we do every OTHER WEEKEND. I am sick of having to help friends clean yards of used prohylactics, faeces, vomit and urine during these two weeks of the year.

      Many people suggest that it is no different to any other weekend down the Gold Coast. As someone who spends many, many Saturday nights partying down the Gold Coast, I can assure you that it is nothing like a regular weekend. The filth and disrespect needs to end.

      I personally would like to see the suburbs of Brisbane invaded by the Gold Coast school leavers, and just one weekend of what Gold Coast residents have to endure for two straight weeks, and see all the Brisbane parents and hipsters say, “Oh you’re all just wowsers seeking to stop them having fun.” We hear enough angsty dribble from these communities every time a music festival is held at Doomben or RNA.

      But it seems as long as its not in your backyard, allowing children to damage property, and defile someone’s living space is A-OK.

      Reply

    • St. Michael says:

      12:07am | 04/12/11

      Hey jade, I hate the Punch blog software too, but y’need to stop clicking “Submit” three times. wink wink

    • Sam says:

      01:16pm | 02/12/11

      I was agreeing with you up until you made this backhanded comment
      .......“I know that even kids from very good schools - especially those from very good schools…................”

      Nice little side swipe at private schools, did you really need this to make your point? Is it even relevant in the context of this story? I think not, but nice little underhanded try anyway.
      Pity because after that I lost interest in whatever else you had to say

      Reply

    • Zopo says:

      02:17pm | 02/12/11

      How can our kids be expected to be responsible when they have no one to look up to. Our politicians lie and dont seem to be unable to set a good example of what we want to represent in society, celebrity and advertising has no boundaries, there is no respect for rules or etiquette towards one another, if someone bumps you for eg or you ask someone to move 9 times out of ten you will get a dirty look, our society I think has gotten more aggressive in recent times. Sometimes we need to swallow our pride and help each other instead of worrying about looking bad or having our ego’s hurt.

      Unless we as adults can do this who do our kids have to look up to??

      Reply

    • marley says:

      06:07pm | 02/12/11

      Umm, maybe their parents?

 
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