A Ban on Having a Best Friend?

[SassyLady]

Schools need to teach the basics and not get involved in psychology:


TEACHERS are banning schoolkids from having best pals — so they don't get upset by fall-outs.



Instead, the primary pupils are being encouraged to play in large groups.

Educational psychologist Gaynor Sbuttoni said the policy has been used at schools in Kingston, South West London, and Surrey.She added: "I have noticed that teachers tell children they shouldn't have a best friend and that everyone should play together."They are doing it because they want to save the child the pain of splitting up from their best friend.

But it is natural for some children to want a best friend. If they break up, they have to feel the pain because they're learning to deal with it."Russell Hobby, of the National Association of Head Teachers, confirmed some schools were adopting best-friend bans.

He said: "I don't think it is widespread but it is clearly happening. It seems bizarre."I don't see how you can stop people from forming close friendships. We make and lose friends throughout our lives." The Campaign for Real Education, which wants more parental choice in state education, said the "ridiculous" policy was robbing children of their childhood.Spokesman Chris McGovern added: "Children take things very seriously and if you tell them they can't have a best friend it can be seriously damaging to them. They need to learn about relationships."

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4203460/Schools-ban-children-making-best-friends.html

[fj1200]

Schools need to teach the basics and not get involved in psychology:

Isn't learning how to deal with others, including the pain, just part of growing up and learning to socialize? Talk about making any potential problems worse. :shakeshead:

[darin]

Isn't learning how to deal with others, including the pain, just part of growing up and learning to socialize? Talk about making any potential problems worse. :shakeshead:

NO! Of course not! We need bubble people; we'll isolate ourselves in protective pods w/ enough filters to the outside world to prevent ANY sort of damage or pain or other strength-building activity. :(

[cadet]

ok, so who's going to be there for you when you get bummed out? YOU'RE BEST FRIEND!!!! how is not having anybody there for you gonna help?

[darin]

ok, so who's going to be there for you when you get bummed out? YOU'RE BEST FRIEND!!!! how is not having anybody there for you gonna help?

I love ya bro..

But...it's 'your best friend' - not 'you are' :)

Secondly...

There's a logical fallacy there. You're implying somebody would have no help if they didn't have a best friend. That's unprovable; and solely based on an emotional response. First, you're assuming folks NEED somebody to help them when they are sad. Secondly, you're assuming a best friend would implicitly help. Both are nice sentiments, but they don't carry water.

The REAL problem with this policy is, once more, Government-sponsored idiocy; social engineering while HURTING people long-term.

It is akin to bubble kids never being sick - I believe most people know a parent who so-completely-sanitizes their kids' lives the children have a retarded immune strength.

Removing EVERY POSSIBLE source for emotional 'hurt' only leads to people never building required strength to endure this adventure we call 'life'.

[cadet]

I love ya bro..

But...it's 'your best friend' - not 'you are' :)

Secondly...

There's a logical fallacy there. You're implying somebody would have no help if they didn't have a best friend. That's unprovable; and solely based on an emotional response. First, you're assuming folks NEED somebody to help them when they are sad. Secondly, you're assuming a best friend would implicitly help. Both are nice sentiments, but they don't carry water.

The REAL problem with this policy is, once more, Government-sponsored idiocy; social engineering while HURTING people long-term.

It is akin to bubble kids never being sick - I believe most people know a parent who so-completely-sanitizes their kids' lives the children have a retarded immune strength.

Removing EVERY POSSIBLE source for emotional 'hurt' only leads to people never building required strength to endure this adventure we call 'life'.

(^Grammar Nazi)
I don't know one kid who doesn't have a best friend, and is happy. For most, if they don't have that best friend to break things and get in trouble with, they make someone up. at least, for boys. (My sister has no imagination, I''m not sure what she would have done.)

Also, the kids that have their parents there, that's all nice and dandy, but you really can't have fun in the same way as with a best friend, if you're in grade school.

having a thousand acquaintances is nothing compared to having a few best friends. I understand some people can't stand a close relationship, and have thousands of friends, but some kids need those few best friends.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aX_aU6kmWVA&feature=related

[Abbey Marie]

Sounds like friendship Socialist-style.

[MtnBiker]

Is this story from the UK or from Vulcan?

[SassyLady]

Best friends teach you how to trust and how to forgive. While a best friend might reject you tomorrow, you are the center of their universe today, and you might be the center again the day after. But it teaches children how to adapt and cope with a wide range of feelings.

This policy is pure BS.