While working to sort through the controversy surrounding COVID measures, social workers have uncovered a pervasive traumatic environment that is affecting not only students but also their teachers, parents, administrators, and public officials. Interviewing students to learn their concerns about attending "in-person" school in the fall, or preferring to learn remotely for another semester, social workers discovered students were suffering from multiple traumas beyond COVID causing them to mistrust not only their parents and teachers but also civic authority including police and political leaders.
Social workers began to realize that students from elementary school through high school are completely aware of the existential threats our society and our planet are facing; and they are concerned.
Adults tend to overlook the information absorption rate of young people. Students do not miss a thing and almost instantly develop an unexamined worldview. When the adults closest to them do not take the time or cannot explain what students see happening all around them, students develop what is known as "free floating" anxiety. As more and more unexplained negative phenomena impact students' consciousness, they become suspicious and trust no one. This is the psychic condition social workers are seeing all too often as they attempt to prepare students to return to school in the fall.
Social workers suggest that parents across the country begin an open dialogue with their children about what is going on around them. Do not believe that you can "shelter" your children from the unpleasant. Usually, they have heard about it before you and will form unexamined opinions that often lead to further conflict and anxiety. Talk openly with your children about what is happening. That will create an opportunity to offer guidance and, perhaps, relieve some fear.
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