What hope have the children got?

I find that more and more the parents I talk to regarding their children's behaviour or lack of effort want to put the blame on me, or the school, or on other children, in fact anyone other than themselves or their child.



Parents who take a phone call and are pleased that you care enough to call are few and far between but they do exist. Some are genuinely horrified at their child's behaviour and take the time to talk to you, discussing issues at home or things I need to know but nevertheless not making excuses.



I know I'm not the first teacher to despair at the generation of people they are charged with educating but just at the moment I am worried.

A lack of work ethic, a sense of entitlement without any effort or committment, an attitude of 'if it doesn't suit what I want to do then I just won't do it' is becoming far too common. It must be coming from somewhere because it's definitely not from the teachers or the school.

One parent even said to me, "that's what teachers are for, it's not my job to make them work at school", then went on to complain that their child had failed a subject.

It's not all doom and gloom, there are some amazing kids who have a willingness to learn and when challenged find strength inside themselves to go the extra mile. But that used to be the norm, now it's the minority. Even children from hardworking families are caught up in the "I'll be ok, I don't need school to succeed" myth.



Not everyone is academic, not everyone is going to get A's or even B's but everyone could get an A for effort and behaviour. Everyone has the chance to prove they are a hard worker who puts effort into all they do. Every student can have the commet conscienscious student on their report card.



It's amazing how students who have never done well suddenly get better grades when they apply themselves thoroughly. People are more willing to help, cut them some slack, give them extra time because they have proven their desire to reach goals.



I wonder where our country will be in twenty years time, will we have the same problems as the US and the UK? A majority of people who won't work, despise authority, want everything for nothing and then blame everyone else except themselves.



If we're not careful that's what it will come to and we'll have no one else to blame but ourselves.