Snitching. What is that? Ask any young person or teen and they will certainly have an answer. A dictionary definition is "to turn informer, to tattle". For young people, snitching is viewed as a big deal, one that could change how they are perceived by their peers and friends and change their school experiences. Many teens view "snitching" or being labeled "a snitch" as extremely negative or bad, something that helps you to lose friends, get teased and bullied and at worst, physically assaulted. They know stories of other peers being beat up, taunted in class and in the hallway or worse for "snitching". That is the impression of young people, an impression largely perpetuated by messages and images portrayed in videos, magazines and other mediums frequented by teens.
For young people and teens, snitching or not snitching can impact their behavior. The story of Derrion Albert immediately comes to mind (refer to previous posting, GONE TOO SOON). Assaulted by peers and schoolmates, it was difficult for the authorities to conclude their investigation because other students who had witnessed the fight refused to come forward with information, for fear of being labled "a snitch". Derrion ultimately died of his injuries. Derrion's story was a national story, but there are many stories of instances in which young people and teens refuse or are reluctant to report some information for fear of being labeled a snitch by their peers. Stories of incidents that occur in the classroom regarding teachers and other students. Stories of incidents of hurt or harm to other students within the school environment. Stories of the knowledge of existing weapons on school property. Stories of the knowledge of pending incidents of violence. The list could go on and on. The messages associated with snitching need adjustment, so that young people are better able to make better choices and decisions and hopefully can prevent the occurence of negative and harmful incidents.
The message for young people is this: Snitching does not have to be viewed negatively. How about thinking of it as an opportunity to promote the health and well-being of your peers and friends? If you aware of something that will impact the school environment or impact the well-being of a peer or friend, consider it your duty and obligation to report what you know to a social worker, counselor, teacher, school adminstrator or your parents. It is the right thing to do. Making threats against the school or students, a student threatening to harm themselves or others, a teacher who is inappropriate in or out of the classroom, a fight about to happen, a fight that has happened, or any incident which you believe does not ADD value to your school should be dicussed with one of the above individuals. Many young people are sharing information with the correct people. However, if you're not comfortable with sharing your name, then share the information anonymously by writing a note or letter. Students often leave letters and notes in the mailboxes and under the doors of teachers and administrators as a means of communicating what is right and what is wrong.
Young people understand what is right and what is wrong. Some sometimes struggle with what to do with information that should be shared with an adult. Information that they feel may threaten the health and well-being of peers and friends. They want to share the information but they also don't want to earn the label of being a snitch and losing their social status. How others percieve them is important and often not a bargaining chip. My answer is don't be a "snitch", that person that others "say" is not cool. Don't be a person who is influenced by others to change what you know and believe to be right. Encourage your friends to do the same. This is the first step in changing the perceptions of snitching. Be a person that believes in good over bad. Be a person who cares about the safety of your school and your friends. Be a person who doesn't agree with what those "celebrities" have to say about sharing information. Be a person who shares essential or important information for the health and well-being of yourself, your friends and your school. Your class, your friends and your school will benefit from young people who know, believe and act.
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How about thinking of it as an opportunity to promote the health and well-being of your peers and friends?
ReplyDeleteYou make a valid point. I think more people would benefit from information being given pertaining to any crime. The thing which most people fear are acts of revenge which occurs probably 90% of the time.
Since I've been snitched on by someone who I considered as my comrade, then I share a certain dislike for informants. But I'm not ignorant enough to know, on a whole, it does make sense.
Will the younger generation listen though? That is the question.