This American Life

I found this radio program really enjoyable to listen to. I like the fact it was separated into segments, it made it easy to focus on the topic at hand. The interviews with the kids were so great and they touched on different aspects of this time in a persons life. The kids talking about the school dance were so funny, and the the boy who was so miserable since his move to a new school really tugged on my heart strings. It made me think about the reality that anxiety and depression really start at middle school age. Many anxiety disorders have their first symptoms starting in the early teen years. I remember the first time I ever felt recurring physical anxiety, that dropping stomach feeling and instant rush of heat, I was in 7th grade. Most of the kids being interviewed commented at one time or another, on how middle schoolers are so judgemental. The boy who had moved said it's easier to make friends when your little because people don't criticize or judge as much. He was so hesitant to make a phone call inviting a new friend over. Another girl talked about how nervous she was just to wear a new sweater to school because other kids might not like it and make fun of her. The Mimi's created an entirely new persona just to be accepted.

This connects to the readings, as they all mentioned the insecurity of this age group. So unsure of themselves and afraid of criticism, they often hold back. Oddly enough, I found it comforting to hear these stories because I delt with these same fears in middle school, and most of the time they came true. One kid had mentioned people will find anything to make fun of as far as others are concerned, so really they feel like they are never really "safe". No wonder they are so on edge, not only from hormones and emotional rollercoasters, but a constant threat of ridicule! I thought it was wonderful how one teacher took some girls aside who were putting another student down and let them understand what that boy was going through. They felt "empathy" which was also discussed in the readings, and also the fact that this stage in life is when they start to be able to consider various points of view. The girls took that understanding and started a dialogue with the boy, resulting in a realization for him as far as how his behavior was affecting others. As they said, it turned peer pressure around and allowed it to work for a good cause. It is questionable though, that she may have gone too far revealing the personal details of this boy's home life. That becomes a violation of privacy, and I don't necessarily agree with that.

I found it interesting that different teachers had such varying opinions about middle school students. Some had said it becomes a waste to try and teach them because they're so caught up in social and emotional matters.
 Another woman, Linda Pearlstein was very positive emphasizing the significant growth of the brain at this age and how it can be the best time to retain information. Again, as mentioned in the readings, she said it's a wonderful time as they are finally able to communicate their reasons for doing things, and they are starting to see "the big picture". I still haven't gone to my middle school observation, but everything I'm finding out is getting me really excited for the challenge. It's such a crazy time in life, and it brings up a lot of memories, good and bad, but I think it will help to relate to these kids and what they're going through.