Due to the ever-growing problem of violence in schools many school boards throughout North America have decided to apply a zero tolerance rule for violent behavior. This rule basically states that if a student displays violent behavior he/she will be suspended or expelled from school. There are many different views on this topic. Some people believe the rule is necessary to deal with the sudden increase in school violence; others believe it is much too tough on children and they should deserve another chance. School boards see this as an affective way to decrease school violence and increase unity amongst students. While many parents, students, teachers and other people feel it is way to strict and does not allow teens to enjoy their school years.

Arguments Against Zero Tolerance

The rule is designed to give students only one chance and if they break this rule they will be suspended for a determined amount of time or they will be expelled from school. The problem is that children are bound to make wrong decisions at one time or another. Giving a child one opportunity is ridiculous because many children make mistakes, that’s part of growing older. In some cases

Bullying is another serious problem in schools. “Bullying, the combined use of aggression and power, is a problem throughout the lifespan. Children do not ‘grow out of it.” States Dr. Wendy Craig who has studied bullying in Canada for more than 15 years. Bullying is not only a problem for boys, who are usually taunted and called names, but other students in schools also tease girls. There have been countless amounts of victims of schoolyard bullying who have since resorted to suicide to escape it. In March 2000, a 14-year-old boy jumped off a bridge and died, leaving a seven-page letter stating that several students constantly called him names such as “gay” and “faggot”. The zero tolerance rule also states that bullying is not only against the school rules but an arrestable offence. One bully in Mission has been found guilty of uttering threats and criminal harassment after a girl hanged herself as a result of the bullying. This ruling set a major precedent, that bullying will not be accepted. Should someone have to die for a bully to be charged? Shouldn’t the school step in and try to eliminate bullying? The answer is yes and through the zero tolerance rule bullying can be wiped out completely.

Some topics in this essay:
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