Wow....since I've been at my field placement, there has been at least one fight once a week, and it is not uncommon for there to be more. Unfortunately, the kids continue to fight because there aren't many consequences for their actions.

One of my clients fought another student, and they were back at school the next day.

Eventually they both got suspended, but it was a 4 day suspension instead of a 5 day suspension because one of the administrators "didn't want to do the paperwork for a 5 day long-term suspension."

Don't get me wrong....I LOVE my placement. I feel like I am learning more about the educational system and mental health than ever before....but I get frustrated when kids fight so vicously that the school police has to get involved and they are let back in school the next day. If we don't show them that there are consequences for their actions, then what happens when they get out into the "real world"? Police officers are not going to delay an arrest...Judges are not going to delay their verdict...the students will have to face their consequences.

Do I think the consequences have to be an out of school suspension? Absolutely not--there is a great program that allows students to serve their suspension in school with extra resources to complete their assignments, etc. However, I do think that students should understand that they can't just beat each other crazy without facing any consequences. Consequences are necessary in order to establish authority and to protect those who are being bullied.

What do you think? Leave a comment with your thoughts.