Previously
we wrote that Escanaba, Michigan principal Mike Smajda was horrified to learn
that one of his first-grade pupils had watched "The
Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and that the boy and his friend kicked a classmate
sending her bleeding to the hospital.
Smajda said he can't prove the R-rated slasher movie provoked the child. But
the incident reinforced his commitment to an anti-violence program at his school.
The program challenged students to do without TV and all other screen entertainment
for 10 days, then afterwards to limit themselves to just seven hours a week of
non-violent programs. Administrators and teachers say short-term results were
amazing, observing less aggressive behaviour and, in some cases, better standardized
test scores.
Smajda announced the TV turnoff during an assembly of the town of 13,000 where
lounging in front of the tube rivals snowmobiling and ice fishing as a means
of coping with long, bitter winters.
Smajda said about 90 percent of the 400-plus students took part.
"It was so boring at first, I was miserable," said 9-year-old Sydney
Hardin, who nevertheless stuck with the program as did sisters Sara, 13, and
Emily, 5.
They found other things to do such as reading, playing outside with friends,
building snowmen, tubing, sledding and other outdoor winter sports. As other
schools got involved, the community pitched in. Youth groups extended their hours
and the town library organized card games and knitting classes.
We wrote previously about Stanford University’s study. Dr. Thomas Robinson,
the research team leader said, "I can't speculate on every individual violent
act, but we do know that exposure to violent content does cause more aggressive
behaviour overall and that reducing screen time does reduce aggression overall.”
Escanaba observers tracked aggressive playground incidents of shoving, hitting,
obscene gestures and name calling immediately before and after the program. The
totals dropped at every school but one. Overall average decline was 52 percent.
Educators also compared scores of fourth-graders who took standardized tests
during the turnoff with scores of fourth-graders tested before the turnoff. Math
and writing scores made double-digit leaps.
"I don't know of any other school district that has gone to such an extent
to change violent behaviour," said Lt. Col. David Grossman, (www.killology.com)
author of Preventing School Violence and RCMP seminar presenter to which RCW
was privy.
Smajda plans to continue the program at his school, but says its success will
depend more on what happens at home. "We're trying to educate parents to
monitor what their kids are watching," he said. "Many of them don't
have a clue."
Do we have “A Clue” what our children watch and for how long? Are
we interested in giving this plan an opportunity in our schools? Remember, we’ve
already had several incidents of violent school behaviour warranting RCMP intervention.
Brainstorm the idea with your school’s PAC then do likewise with the school
staff. Go to the meetings with our columns and do additional research prepared
to answer questions.
If you have questions or suggestions regarding our column, go to www.ruralcrimewatch.com and
follow the links.
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