When I was that age, things were settled with fist, mostly a glorified wrestling match. Teacher seen it, they would break it up and send us on our way. QUOTE]
Not in my school. A fight on school grounds got us a quick trip to the Vice Principal's Office, a phone call to our parents, and sent home for the day. I know from personal experience. However, one enlightened teacher would referee a boxing match. If two guys had a conflict, they could put on gloves, step into the ring, and have a couple minutes of boxing. The referee made sure no one was hurt. End of conflict.
Today, I feel that the news media inspires copy cat crimes. The video game and the entertainment industry de-sensitizes children to violence.
I graduated from High School in 1962. All through out my Jr High and High School years boys had their fights and even a few of the girls. The Jr High School I went to had a service station across the street and the owner was a very nice guy. The kids would go hang out after school and he was always patient with us. It got to be a place for boys who wanted to fight to go. if he caught them fighting he would buy them both a soda and make theme shake hands then he'd sit them down and talk to them. Made sure they were "ok" before they left. Sometimes when a boy was having more than one or two fights a year he'd call their parents and they would all talk things out. This was a great guy and a friend to all the kids. The parents seems to appreciate his intervention and friendliness with the kids. I guess a guy like that today would be suspect and persecuted and a predator. Too bad.
In High school it was the parking lot or one of the Home Economics building (a group of 4 old houses that were bought by the school district and converted to home ec cottages) if a teacher caught the fight the combatants were pulled aside and talked to. Occasionally parents were called but not always. It just depended upon the boys attitudes once the fight was stopped.
and remember too that in those days it was "you hit me first." "No I ain't throwin' the first punch." and the first punch was usually in the arm. No one ever dreamed of using a weapon, not ever.
I guess I had my share of fights but no more than the average. No teacher nor Mr. X at the gas station ever over reacted or wanted to call the police or get ridiculous about it. They used common sense and patience in talking to us. It was never a problem, just part of the right of passage of a boy growing up in America in the '50s.
But one of the reasons this could have been like this is as stated above. The world was not as crowded. It was a kinder gentler time and we as a nation and a people still had some measure of innocence. With violence escalating in every aspect of life on the planet earth these days people are becoming desensitized and kids are growing up with violence being a bigger and bigger part of life in games and for real.
It's all so sad but what can we do? What ever the answer is I believe it has to start with education or re education and it is going to take a long time. Perhaps two or more generations and that is if it starts tomorrow. The longer this trend goes the less likely it can ever be turned around. Is it already too late? I hope not.
