Myths do lie

Anton Chekov once threw up his hands and cried, “God save me from generalisations.” He was talking of characters in novels. The day I started teaching, I did the same. I’m talking about characters in classrooms.

Why do myths exist? To be broken by facts.

Myth: Students are self-absorbed

Fact: The other day, an eighth grader was in tears because he had failed in his French test. Soon after, the French teacher was cornered by two other boys from the same grade. Both of them offered to give up a mark each from their tests, if only the French teacher would add two marks to their friend’s total and let him pass. A heartfelt solution to the problem, not at all honest, and certainly not viable – but check out the emotional quotient of their offer!

As a teacher dealing with teens every day, I can vouch for the fact that teens are less self-absorbed than most adults. They are certainly less selfish.

Myth: Students don’t care about what their parents or teachers think

Fact: That’s only the surface: “My mom has confiscated my phone because exams are coming up, I’m not going to study, anyway.” The truth is, he will study like crazy, not to earn his phone back but to earn appreciation from his mom. So when he says, “Mom has bought me a new phone because I’ve done well in my exams”, he actually is preening about mom’s appreciation, not his new phone.

As for teachers, on show is I-don’t-care cool: “What’s the point of writing this essay? And with spellcheck around, why do we bother with spellings?”

But later, you’re often accosted in the corridors: “Did you read my essay? I’ve put in a great twist in the tale! Read it soon, I think you’ll like it.” Aha! Don’t care, is it?

Myth: Teenagers are inherently lazy

Fact: Most students I know start their day at 6 a.m. They rush for football/cricket/basketball coaching before school. They go through the school day with great hurrah. Recess is chock-a blocked for students meetings – some cultural or sports event is always in the offing. After school, is practice time for all these cultural or sports events. There are assignments to do, tests to rote-learn for, notes to keep up with. All this, even while marching off for at least three tuition classes a day, which come with their own set of homework and tests. The next episode of ‘One Tree Hill’ cannot be missed. Guitar practice and ballet classes are a must.

Phew! When do teens find the time and energy to be lazy? 

Myth: Students always bow to peer pressure

Fact: What peer pressure? I’ve known students who pay attention in class, don’t watch television, denounce two-minute noodles, don’t wax their arms, munch on carrots during break and read Dostoevsky at lunch time – even while others snigger all around them.

Myth: Students don’t read nowadays

Fact: Well. I did catch a teen reading just five years ago...

Jokes apart, I must admit that for every one student I see leaving the library with a book and a delighted glint in the eye, I see nine not going anywhere near the library.

But I am on the job. The day I can disprove this myth, I will be back to this topic.