It's Much Easier To Be Bad Than Good

Nothing dominates my working life more than the struggle to survive in a world of angry, defiant, playful, bored kids. The ninth-grade-only building that I work in has its special challenges. Bump into a teacher in the copy room any morning and the rudeness and obstreperousness of students is almost certain to be the topic of discussion. Thus, when I saw Police in the Hallways: Discipline in an Urban High School by Kathleen Nolan I was compelled to check it out. The urban school portrayed in this book is in the South Bronx, one of the toughest urban neighborhoods in the world. What made this place a good subject of study was the crime fighting initiative begun by New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg. The Mayor decided to apply the “broken window” philosophy of crime suppression made popular by his predecessor, Rudy Giuliani, to schools. The idea is for cops to tackle the small crimes that make city living unpleasant—graffiti, panhandling, pick pockets—as a way of preventing more serious violations. In a school context this meant that the city would put lots of police and “safety agents” (cops without guns) in the tough high schools. Combined with metal detectors, and strict rules (no hats, no hall wandering) the intent was to quell even the smallest outbreak of disorder. Nirvana for law and order folks. From Ms. Nolan’s description the plan didn’t work out as you might expect. Kids were not intimidated by so many guns and badges. They still smoked dope in the hidden recesses of the school. They still shot craps in the large cafeteria. And they still defied authority. That’s when Nolan described “oppositional behavior”. Let’s say you’re a bored teenager. You’re indignant at the unfairness of the system. You’re growing up, trying to establish an identity. And remember that high school is a scary place. Being safe is a preoccupation of most high school kids. A rational way to accomplish all these things is to oppose authority. Whether you are a good student or a bad one there are advantages to joining the side of “the opposition”. Come to class wearing a hat when hats are forbidden is a clear signal to everyone that you are tough. I don’t think I ever realized before that when I tried to enforce school rules I was playing a part in a kind of stage drama where I am the foil for a child who is trying to establish his or her status as a member of the resistance. And it also never occurred to me that the more rules I try to enforce the more opportunities I provide to play out this drama. Listen to one kid who was interviewed by Ms. Nolan: “Some students do not cooperate with authority because of the way they are approached…From my point of view us students are put under peer pressure by peers. Some of us would like to follow rules but can’t take the fact that others are watching you….It’s more easier to be bad than good and everyone should know that.” Nolan says this is all about “the winning back of identity or dignity.” “Students’ {disruptive} actions,” says Nolan, “could reward them…with a renewed sense of autonomy or control over themselves in a repressive setting {that’s me}.” Yes, I see it now. Yet, as excited as I am to understand a bit more of what happens in my classroom, the reality is that none of this suggests a way I can change things. I must still fight the good fight against the bullies and thugs. Perhaps, though, this little addition to my self-awareness will pay off next year. I hope so.