By Nick Haskell
April Fools’ Day has just passed, leaving in its wake a group of
rather frustrated pranksters.
Local school districts, faced with the frequent occurence of
pranks, have decided to institute the dreaded zero-tolerance
policy, which is resented by students everywhere
By Nick Haskell
April Fools’ Day has just passed, leaving in its wake a group of rather frustrated pranksters.
Local school districts, faced with the frequent occurence of pranks, have decided to institute the dreaded zero-tolerance policy, which is resented by students everywhere. Many claim that it restricts their freedom and opportunities for a bit of harmless fun.
The true nature of the zero-tolerance policy is not to serve as a killjoy but to maintain order in the school. The reason it is effective is because of the severity of the punishment.
Students are aware of the consequences of breaching the policy: suspension or expulsion. Knowing this, what student would risk playing a prank on his friends if it could get him kicked out of school? It especially deters seniors, who are arguably the most prone to play a prank. Iif they get expelled, they only have two months to find a new school before having to repeat senior year.
Some would argue that the punishment is too harsh and that it allows no room for consideration of individual circumstances. While such inflexibility might not be the most effective form of discipline in some situations, in the case of pranks, it is clearly the most effective.
There is no justification when it comes to playing a prank on a person. Pranks generally are frivolous acts designed to embarrass another person.
Even though most pranks at first glance seem to be good, clean, light-hearted fun, they have their darker side. What may be intended to be merely a joke could turn destructive – the water balloon could explode in his eye, the tomato juice could leak inside her car, and a host of other unpredicted mishaps could seriously harm people and property.
In spite of good intentions, even the most carefully planned shenanigans can go awry. Do yourself a favor and think twice before you pull a prank.
Nick Haskell is a senior at Bellarmine Preparatory High School.
