INDEX OF QUOTES
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Youth exhibit aggressive behavior for a number of reasons and purposes. For some, their behavior serves as a way to control their environment and feel powerful. For others, aggression is the easiest way to get what they want. Taking the possessions of others may compensate for a lack of belonging or connectedness. Students who are unable to gain academic skills and rewards may find status in aggression. Others exhibit aggressive behaviors in response to overwhelming feelings of frustration, anxiety and/or anger. In most cases aggressive behavior serves one additional purpose of confirming a world view in which hostile adults can be made to show disrespect, anger, and ultimately counteraggression towards them. Whatever the underlying need, adults must recognize that
students are trying to engage them in power struggles which almost always
escalate student behavior to more aggressive and dangerous states. Unless we are
aware of the transactional nature of this lure, we stand a good chance of being
baited and hooked. The end result of this fishing expedition is a
well-intentioned but frustrated and angry teacher who runs the risk of losing
control and either threatening, yelling, devaluing, or harshly punishing
students. Predictably, all of these possible outcomes will provoke further
student aggression. |
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— HOWARD MUSCOTT Muscott, H. Avoiding counter-aggressive responses in work with youth with aggressive behaviors. Reclaiming Children and Youth. Vol.4 No.1, pp.41-44 |