Something in the Water?
Copyright Jonathan McNeill 20030203
According to an article in the local newspaper (News & Observer), North Carolina has one of the highest rates of ADHD in the country. Many people (including myself) believe that actual cases of ADHD (and its kid brother ADD) are at best extremely rare, and at worst nonexistent (used for an excuse to needlessly medicate children). If we are to take ADD and ADHD seriously, we must assume that there is some environmental factor in NC creating an abnormally high number of ADD/ADHD cases. So, is it the water?
Could be, could be. However, environmental issues don't know state boundaries.
Let me "paint" you a picture. School teachers, frustrated with increasing workloads and more unruly students, are desperate for some way of controlling their classrooms. Suddenly, Ritalin and similar medications appear on the market. Previously unbearable students are calm, quiet, inert. And all the teacher has to do is suggest to the school that particular students might have an attention deficit disorder, or even an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The school medical personnel prescribe Ritalin, and Walla! Perfect students.
The parents of these students don't complain. Maybe they're just too used to being bullied by bureaucrats. Perhaps with too much going on in their lives, their children's behaviour does seem to be an illness. With stressful jobs, coming home to a quiet, sedate house might seem like a blessing.
Normal children play, run, make noise. Young minds aren't meant to be cooped up in a classroom, especially not towards summer! And yet, the state school system continues to encroach on that "sacred childhood time" that is summer. Is it any wonder that our children have trouble paying attention to the lessons?
"But we need solutions?!" in a whiny nasal voice. You want solutions? Teachers: teach, quit propagandizing students. Teach them to think, not what to think. Don't expect them to remain perfectly inert. Doctors: quit going along with the school administrations' desires to dope up kids. Most of you think cocaine is a bad thing, and yet you continue to prescribe a drug in the same classification as cocaine to children. Parents: spend some time with your kids, get to know them. Life isn't about "climbing the corporate ladder," and you're missing out if you are trying to make that your life.
But we won't do it. It's easier to hand the kids pills, and the solution I've described is a great sacrifice. Would it change things if I told you the pay-off is worth it?