Student Behavior, the Depersonalization of Blame, and the Society of Victims

Authors

  • Daniel L. Duke

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11575/jet.v12i1.43754

Abstract

A review of various attempts to explain the causes of student misbehavior and escalating school discipline problems suggests that there has been a steady process of depersonalizing the blame for individual misconduct. The misbehaving student no longer seems to be held responsible for his actions. Various fa ctors, including family background, peer group influence, poor teaching, the school system, and society-in-general, are blamed for disobedience and disrespect. The author finds the decreasing emphasis on individual responsibility a disturbing development, one that threatens to create a society of victims.

Author Biography

Daniel L. Duke

Daniel L. Duke is assistant professo r in the School of Education, Stanford University

Published

2018-05-11

Issue

Section

Articles