Zero Tolerance is a very damaging idea.
1. Nazi Germany had Zero Tolerance to Slovs, Jews, non-Ariens; Soviet Union had zero tolerance towards the "Capitalist World" (predominantly towards America). Blind hate, totalitarian thinking, anger towards others who are different.
2. It is abnormal. How more schizophrenic could it be when in every public school nowdays teachers and counselors preach about Tolerance??? On one hand we tell the kids "love thy neighbor", "Golden Rule", etc... And immediately after that lesson we add, but HATE the XXX (whoever should be Zero Toleranced). How can a teacher - the most noble professional in the life of the child - teach HATRED?? No wonder that poor kids are so confused! How can a counselor even consider going to the classroom of kids and telling them "you should not tolerate bullies!"
I thought a counselor is a "nonjudgmental, empathetic, professional who GUIDES the clients through their search for answers".
3. it does not work but the general impression is that it is actually very productive. There is no data that Zero Tolerance has shown improvement in schools. In fact, there is data that it damaged some schools (I have to look in my files and will post the info my next visit here). But it makes the school administrators feel good about it. It is like a drug - does not do any good, may be even damaging, but makes you feel good.
Well, if it is a modern day drug in schools, then shouldn't it be outlawed???
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