The Issue: Violence in Schools
Keeping a student physically and mentally safe should be the priority of school administration. It seems crucial to protect students from violence, especially in educational institutions, to enhance learning and well-being. However, according to the revelations, hate crimes in schools in terms of sexual orientation, religion, race, gender, and ethnicity increased recently. Also, reports of bullying have been increased from the last 2 to 3 years. Moreover, the increase in threat and violence has been raised in educational institutions. For Instance, K-12 schools faced 3,380 threats. Apart from it, the volume of actual violence increased by 113 percent, and it is more than in previous years (Kominiak, 2018). Of course, it seems an alarming situation, as the school administration has to take the responsibility of ensuring human dignity.
The principle of the dignity of a human person can be related to this particular issue. For Instance, it can be said that school violence is unfavorable for human dignity, as students must be protected. Also, the issue can be associated with the principle of the common good. The elaboration is below.
Principle of the Dignity of Human Person
The principle of human dignity links with religious beliefs. According to this principle, “every human is created in the image of God, redeemed by Jesus Christ, Destine for union with God. Therefore, the respect of every human on the earth is worthy. Further, the principle indicates that human is sacred from conception to death.” (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019). This principle streamlines the respect of humans of all ages. Thus, violence in schools cannot be justified, as it is against these religious beliefs. Apart from it, how students are harmed if they are created in the image of God. Thus, violence in schools is ruining the image of God and Jesus Christ, and it cannot be redeemed afterward. For Instance, research revealed that one of the most common incidents in school was finding a gun, followed by shooting and disenchanted attacks (Pitofsky, 2018). The main reason being this issue is that students and schools are always vulnerable, as these are easy targets for people who are against the principle of human dignity. Increasing numbers of threats (1300) in 2018 is a message that human dignity is in danger now, as people are unable to understand the principle. By following the principle of human dignity, humans can be protected from violence, especially in schools.
Principle of the Common Good
Every facet of communal life must be connected if it is to achieve its meaning, stalks from the self-respect, harmony, and impartiality of all people. The principle states that the sum of community conditions which permit people, groups, or individuals, to attain their fulfillment fully and easily (Pontifical Council For Justice And Peace, 2018). School shooting or violence can be restrained humans (students) from achieving their fulfillment fully and comfortably. Of course, violence is better for any human being to share a common good and live a better life in a society. Thus, as far as the principle of the common good is concerned, violence in the school cannot be justified. It seems illegal, unethical, and against religious beliefs.
Relating Issue to Degree Program
Violence in school is a common issue in this contemporary era, and it can be related to the degree program. The degree program is associated with different sociology and religious topics or subjects. These areas of the study highlight some common issues in society. Consequently, based on social and religious beliefs, I can set a foundation and build some narratives. Currently, the degree program is a better source for me to align with society and spiritual intervention and understand the issue. In the future, when working in a society or organization, I will be able to build more narrative and present some solutions. The issue is linked with my degree program due to social and religious interventions, and through broad thinking, I can anticipate outcomes in the future. Maybe, professionally, I can work in an educational department and work on the different alternatives to stop or reduce school violence. The purpose of enrolling in this degree program is to contribute to protecting human dignity and fulfilling the need for the common good.
References
Kominiak, T., 2018. Trending in the wrong direction. K-12 school violence on the rise. [Online] Available at: https://www.k12insight.com/trusted/trending-wrong-direction-k-12-school-violence-rise/ [Accessed 12 October 2019].
Pitofsky, M., 2018. There were nearly 1,300 more threats made at U.S. schools this past year, report finds. [Online] Available at: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/08/14/school-violence-us-schools/987901002/ [Accessed 12 October 2019].
Pontifical Council For Justice And Peace, 2018. The Principle of Common Good in the Catholic Church’s Social Doctrine. [Online] Available at: https://democraciaparticipativa.net/documentos-data-a-referenda/documents-in-english/christian-social-thoght/14519-the-principle-of-common-good-in-the-catholic-church-s-social-doctrine.html [Accessed 12 October 2019].
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019. Catholic Social Teaching. [Online] Available at: http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/ [Accessed 12 October 2019].
