Tipping…Point

Some books have an interesting shelf-life. Malcolm Gladwell’s The Tipping Point is one of them. His book from 2000 on the viral nature of human interaction is still a worthy read. The book is full of research and observations that remain relevant.

Peer influence is the subject for this post. In Gladwell’s book, he made an observation concerning the power of a child’s friends. It may be more advantageous live in a good neighborhood with a bad family household than the opposite. Living in a good family surrounded by a neighborhood of bad people could be worse.

Recently a Florida Middle School Principal’s arrest proves this point. Despite his position and his salary, according to the Nypost.com, he allegedly stole $37.45 of items from Wal-Mart. This was accomplished by concealing items between foam plates in the self-check out. After he was caught, he apparently told security that “his friends told him [that the scheme] would work.” He is now on administrative leave from his job.

He said to the police, “we sit around talking, ‘Hey I did this.’ Let me try and see what I can get away with.” Nypost.com

The story goes on and interview educators who assert that the individual’s action damage the occupation’s reputation.

The Bigger Reality

Professional educators should perhaps take this story in a different light. While this story is about theft, it is also one about spheres of influence. Here, a seemingly normal and upstanding individual’s “friends” destroyed his life. Some compatriots’ foolishness can serve to obliterate someone’s moral compass.

The lesson that should be taken back to the educational community from this episode is not about theft. Rather, it is that children in schools have the potential to be bad influences for other children. Arguably, they have a greater capacity to ruin another student than a teacher has to build one up. Thus, schools must address this problem. As a former teacher, I can attest that one bad student can ruin an entire class. As a former student, I can attest that of one bad student ruining an entire academic year.

Conclusion

The moral statement of “thou shalt not steal” is in stiff competition with ill motive friends. It is imperative that parents are mindful as to whom their children associate with. Likewise, this instance is a “wake up” call for educators. Friendships are not always good or benign.

Be well!!

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