A Catholic high school in Little Rock, Arkansas made waves when they posted a seemingly simple picture on their Facebook page. But it wasn’t the image itself which stirred up controversy; it was the image’s implied message.
If your kid forgets something at home, tough freakin’ luck, because kids gotta problem solve on their own.
Principal Steve Straessle wanted to start the Catholic High School For Boys school year on a strong note. So Straessle posted a sign in the school reminding parents and students of a decade-old policy: under no circumstance can a parent bring something to the school their son(s) forgot after they arrive:
If you are dropping off your son’s forgotten lunch, books, homework, equipment, etc., please TURN AROUND and exit the building. Your son will learn to problem-solve in your absence.
The purpose of the policy isn’t to be callous or cruel. As Straessle explained to TODAY Parents, the intention behind said policy is to instill responsibility and encourage “problem-solving” skills:
Teenage boys will often hit the default switch of calling parents to swoop in and fix problems they encounter. We encourage our boys to fight that inclination and, instead, think how they can solve a problem on their own.
But the policy has come under a great deal of criticism since it was posted on Facebook late last week.
However, Straessle defended the policy:
Every tool a boy needs to solve the problems addressed by the sign are found on our campus. In the case of forgotten lunches, boys can get credit in the cafeteria, borrow money from the front office, or bum some food off a buddy. No one goes hungry here.”
He also stated that the school has never received a single complaint about the policy. What’s more, the policy teaches students the importance of “soft failures”:
Soft failures are the times when a boy comes up short. It’s when he forgets his lunch, doesn’t make the team, or faces some sort of consequence for behavior that is beneath his character. Soft failures are learning experiences that are the foundation of becoming an adult. Soft failures have never ruined a life. The lack of soft failures has ruined many lives.
And I have to say, I agree. Every child needs to learn mistakes happen. Every young adult needs to understand these missteps happen, and every adult needs a solid foundation of “soft failures” so they can handle the many hurdles and obstacles they will face throughout their lives.