School shootings are happening more frequently and there doesn’t seem to be anything being done to really prevent them from happening. There are protests, peaceful or not, activities to ensure school shooter safety – which shouldn’t even be a problem, but kindergartners are learning how to hide in the corner of their classroom in case one does happen. Society is in full rage, but the government just leads thoughts and prays and maybe a visit.
Apathy is lack of interest or concern in anything/anyone. This case, in preventing school shootings – really any shootings across the world. Schools around the country are doing their best to have drills in response to the many shootings happening. They want to prevent any damage, so they have drills where kids are learning to stay low and quiet in the back of a dim classroom in hopes of not getting shot up.
“In 2012, schools responded to the deadly elementary school shooting in Newtown, CT with an emphasis on school security. Schools have also focused on preparedness in case of a shooting or other violent event” (Lorenz). But this shouldn’t even be a problem to begin with. School is about learning, making friends, and finding your identity. It should be one of the safest places for kids.
According to a Business Insider article, “There have already been 18 gun-related incidents at American schools in 2018” and that was written on February 15 of this year. There have been more reported and unfortunately, I don’t see it stopping.
What can be done? A lockdown on guns many would say. Many would also say that there should be better gun laws in place for those who do buy guns. Mental evaluations, days of consideration, a safety class you have to take, etc. There are many ways to prevent them, but is it really helping?
It’s about the kids. Who’s being bullied? Who are the bullies? What about the household of the kids – is it safe? “Decrease the isolation these children and youth often feel by actively integrating them into peer activities. Reduce the day-to-day aggression and the many forms it takes within school and communities. Close gaps in mental health services for children with emotional and behavioral problems and to provide a broader continuum of mental health care” (Preventing School). Easier said than done, but there are steps that can be taken to help these kids.
What can the government do besides working on gun laws? Raising more awareness of mental health. Everyone goes through a significant change when something threatening, or distressing happens, so how can we make this easier to detect and, perhaps, make the kids feel safer at school? More time on mental illnesses and more on schools in the news – good and unwelcome news.
In conclusion, school shooting apathy is real and is here as I type this. There are steps that can be taken that can help provide the kids with a safe learning endowment once more but requires work now that we are here. More on mental health and how schools are doing – broadcasted on the news or locally word of mouth to keep up the momentum.
Lorenzo, Sarah-Jane. “How Can We Stop School Violence?” Parenting, 14 June 2018, www.greatschools.org/gk/articles/stopping-school-violence-the-latest-trends/.
Weiss, Brennan. “There Have Already Been 18 Gun-Related Incidents at American Schools in 2018.” Business Insider, Business Insider, 15 Feb. 2018, www.businessinsider.com/school-shootings-2018-1.
“Preventing School Shootings .” Children’s Hosptial of Philadelphia , 2018, injury.research.chop.edu/violence-prevention-initiative/types-violence-involving-youth/school-shootings/preventing-school#.WyRhivZFwjY.
