NewsUpper SchoolFaculty/Staff
The Challenges of Teenagers
Aug 1, 1999 8:00 AM
By Stefan Eady - Faculty
Of all the challenges facing youth today, some of the most formidable relate to safety and identity issues. I am coming to Darlington with what I consider ambitious yet realistic plans to address some of the challenges that accompany teenagers. There needs to be a comfortable pace so that we can effectively address a few key issues rather than starting too ambitiously.
There are five areas that I consider to be of utmost importance: a safe environment in which to learn, live, and play; teenage depression and suicide; drug and alcohol abuse; eating disorders; and identity issues.
As competition for college acceptance increases, the academic and extracurricular demands of students increase. Add to that school violence, depression, eating disorders, drugs, alcohol, and suicide. It’s a heavy load—a load most of our youth have either witnessed or experienced. There are no easy answers. I don’t have a magic wand or pill or quick fix for the challenges most youth face today.
By educating and raising awareness throughout our community, we have a noble beginning. We need to be able to recognize these needs of our young people, and we need to enter into dialogue with them about these issues. I believe a major part of my job is to foster that discussion between parents, students, and faculty.
The issue of school violence and the struggle for identity are primary concerns. There are two common denominators for students who perform major acts of school violence: ridicule and suicidal thoughts. I want to raise awareness and discuss the importance of accepting individuality as a good preventative step. We need to teach our students that ridiculing someone reflects poorly on the one ridiculing. A bully is a person who doesn’t feel good about himself. I believe accepting others is the most important ingredient in human interaction—that is, accepting who we are as individuals. We don’t have to like everyone but we must respect and accept them as individuals.
Individuality threatens teenagers because almost all are experiencing struggles with identity, a common development during high school. Students need education regarding their roll in the community. They also need to have a sense of accountability. If someone is part of the school, then that individual is part of the community, and he or she should be concerned, accountable, and responsible for others. We need to be honorable members of the Darlington community and part of the process to better the school’s environment.
I am still addressing the most effective approach to these issues and others. I plan to hold small group discussions in the dorms. Day students will have similar sessions as well. I am trying to decide the best vehicle to accomplish all of this. I welcome suggestions—especially from students. I want to have an open-door policy. The success of my office is dependent on the students and their input. The end goal is healthy, happy, productive individuals.
As teachers and parents we often want to fix students’ problems immediately when they come to us in turmoil. We need to be aware that we don’t always have to fix the problem or have a solution. We need to know when to intervene and when to allow them to experience turmoil.
I look forward to meeting all faces of the students, parents, faculty, and the entire Darlington community. I desire to be involved in students’ problems, but I also want to be a part of their joys and celebrations.
There are five areas that I consider to be of utmost importance: a safe environment in which to learn, live, and play; teenage depression and suicide; drug and alcohol abuse; eating disorders; and identity issues.
As competition for college acceptance increases, the academic and extracurricular demands of students increase. Add to that school violence, depression, eating disorders, drugs, alcohol, and suicide. It’s a heavy load—a load most of our youth have either witnessed or experienced. There are no easy answers. I don’t have a magic wand or pill or quick fix for the challenges most youth face today.
By educating and raising awareness throughout our community, we have a noble beginning. We need to be able to recognize these needs of our young people, and we need to enter into dialogue with them about these issues. I believe a major part of my job is to foster that discussion between parents, students, and faculty.
The issue of school violence and the struggle for identity are primary concerns. There are two common denominators for students who perform major acts of school violence: ridicule and suicidal thoughts. I want to raise awareness and discuss the importance of accepting individuality as a good preventative step. We need to teach our students that ridiculing someone reflects poorly on the one ridiculing. A bully is a person who doesn’t feel good about himself. I believe accepting others is the most important ingredient in human interaction—that is, accepting who we are as individuals. We don’t have to like everyone but we must respect and accept them as individuals.
Individuality threatens teenagers because almost all are experiencing struggles with identity, a common development during high school. Students need education regarding their roll in the community. They also need to have a sense of accountability. If someone is part of the school, then that individual is part of the community, and he or she should be concerned, accountable, and responsible for others. We need to be honorable members of the Darlington community and part of the process to better the school’s environment.
I am still addressing the most effective approach to these issues and others. I plan to hold small group discussions in the dorms. Day students will have similar sessions as well. I am trying to decide the best vehicle to accomplish all of this. I welcome suggestions—especially from students. I want to have an open-door policy. The success of my office is dependent on the students and their input. The end goal is healthy, happy, productive individuals.
As teachers and parents we often want to fix students’ problems immediately when they come to us in turmoil. We need to be aware that we don’t always have to fix the problem or have a solution. We need to know when to intervene and when to allow them to experience turmoil.
I look forward to meeting all faces of the students, parents, faculty, and the entire Darlington community. I desire to be involved in students’ problems, but I also want to be a part of their joys and celebrations.
