Don't Follow the Crowd

Don’t Follow the Crowd

Some students get in trouble because they are always following someone or the crowd. These students fear failure, ridicule, social exclusion, rejection - and parental disappointment. To help a student overcome this fear, teach him or her how to make decisions. First, the student needs to know where to seek and how to gain meaningful input. Second, he or she must be helped to see choices - rather than just follow others. Third, the student must be taught how to listen to his or her own thoughts. This is the way the follower learns to separate himself or herself from the others so he or she can act independently. Fourth, talk to follower about dissent. Tell him or her that progress often stems from dissent - and that dissent should be an honoured word and action rather than one that is held in contempt. This is a difficult concept for some teachers to accept. Yet, students should be encouraged to engage in thoughtful dissent. However, there's a vast and important difference between dissent and defiance - the first protects oneself while the other focuses on resisting the direction and expectations of others. To improve self-discipline, young people need to be taught this difference.