I have been thinking about this idea for the last week or so. I’m not sure if it would work, but it seems to me that we need to give our kids the right tools for life. For example, in the later grades in elementary school or in junior high, there could be lesson plans designed to address relationship violence. The questions of how to deal with it, where to go, how to help a friend who is in a dangerous situation, etc., could be discussed.
The one memory that particularly sticks in my mind was when I was 16. It was my first relationship and I was completely over the moon. I also didn’t know how to deal with it and my boyfriend’s extremely short temper was starting to worry me. I tried to be a “better” girlfriend but it did not work. Looking back, I feel foolish, but at the time, I really did not know what to do.
Lessons could also be designed for children in the younger grades on anti-violence along with anti-bullying in general. Anti-bullying programs have been started in many schools in the Lower Mainland and in schools around the world. As was pointed out in a previous post, domestic violence affects children and we may not necessarily know which child in any given classroom has to go home to fear and pain.
By giving children the tools (in an age-appropriate way, of course), we would be able to help them and hopefully help their families. Children take their cues from the adults in their lives and may not necessarily know what is hurtful and wrong.
Naturally, there are some concerns with this potential innovation. Teachers are already over-worked — they may not have time to administer these lessons. Also, how do we teach children about this topic without scaring them? Would we have to ask parents to sign consent forms for this program? If we do, the program would not be able to reach the children who need it the most. For example, anti-homophobia programs have met with resistance in schools and the children who would most benefit from these lessons are not getting them.
