It's not that "red ink" makes kids "pussies", rather, the issue that I was trying to address (and I assume
Mojo too) is the reaction or overeaction to seemingly simple everyday events.
For example, to over simplify, the school and parents are concerned that the color red will hurt the kid's self esteem etc, etc. Or, that having honor rolls will do the same. It is the "everybody's a winner" culture that is misleading and (in my opinion) detrimental to kid;s development.
That is why I asked teacher's to weigh in. It seems to me that it gets harder and harder for teachers to well, teach these days because of new restrictions, and changing pedagogy. By over-coddling and aiding-and-abetting the delusion of "we're all winners", are we not setting up the kids for some major harsh reality check down the road?
The color of the pen really wasn't the point, I was trying to address the motivation behind it and its potential effects.
In the "wussification threads" (do a search), someone mentioned how their 1st grader was playing musical chairs at school, but to avoid hurt feelings, they didn't take away a chair. That way, everyone would have a chair! Seemingly innocuous, but lays the foundation for stunted growth. What's next, no scoring or records allowed in school sports?
I believe, the lesson we learn is "rising above adversity".
For example: My paper is returned to me with a sea of red ink. With a score of "C-", the teacher is merciless in pointing out my grammar errors, poor structure, sideways logic, and lack of support for the argument. Do I hold my head in my hands and cry? Well, maybe I shed some tears, but more importantly, I talk to the teacher, make my corrections and do better next time. Not, "oh no, look at all the red ink, my self-esteem os lowered now".
In the same way that we own our successes, we also own our failures. Personal responsibility, accountability can be instilled at an early age. It is the trend of blaming others or (hypersensitivity) that I am concerned with.
MartinGuerre, thank you for your kind remarks.
