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Two Scout-related stories of the application of zero tolerance policies (here and here) have been making the rounds of late so I am taking the opportunity to comment on the concept of zero tolerance.
‘Zero tolerance’ became a familiar term in the 1990’s as an outgrowth of a belief that the inflexible enforcement of minor laws would prevent the commission of major crimes. While this theory of law enforcement has been largely discredited the remnants remain in our school systems and in the wider society.
At first blush the concept behind zero tolerance seems reasonable; knowing that the consequences of a minor offense are certain and irrevocable is a strong deterrent. Zero tolerance seeks to classify human behavior as definitely good or bad without the consideration of extenuating circumstances that constitute the vast gray area between the two extremes.
To my thinking adoption of zero tolerance policies is a cowardly abdication of responsibility for those who are subjected to them by those who impose them. When a school district or scout troop or soccer league equates specific actions of a student, scout or player with irrevocable sanctions they have shirked their responsibility to consider the motive and nature of the actions or to offer any path of redemption.
Anyone who undertakes the responsibility to lead young people assumes the responsibility to make every effort to understand the nature of their developmental abilities, their emotional and mental capacities and the way they relate to the world. Imposing a policy of irrevocable, inflexible consequences relieves authority of any responsibility to exercise understanding, compassion, empathy or justice. Even worse it teaches by example that authority is an unthinking, irresistible force that will not yield to reason.
The very things that make us human guarantee that there will be a broad spectrum of extenuating circumstances behind any of our actions. Those of us in authority have the responsibility to examine and understand the thought processes, emotions and motives behind actions before we judge them. We should not abandon this most basic responsibility to the inanity of zero tolerance policies.
I agree with most of what you have written, as a long term Law Enforcement Officer and Scoutmaster, I dispise these silly Zero-Tolerance Policys that these little scared sheep that inhabit school boards have made up.
Do you think that if a Navy SEAL or SWAT Operator was on the SB they would be worried about someone bringing a Scout pocket knife to school? When I was in school you would not find a student without a knife and living in the country not one of us didn’t have a firearm, mostly loaded in our car or truck, it was, and is a tool… I had one of my Eagle Scouts get in trouble or such nonsense after he wore his Scout Uniform on Scout Day, at the Request of the SB, only to accidently leave his pocket knife in the pants pocket. They attempted to throw a 4.0 Student out of School for the rest of the year, until his Attorney had a short talk with them… They now have a extemption to thier policy… Any Eagle Scout in Uniform can carry a Offical BSA Knife while on school grounds…
Strange… All those knifes, and all of those guns, and naver a school shooting while I was growing up, makes one think where the problem is???
BTW – The “Guide to Safe Scouting” (online version) has a more direct admonition for leaders:
“Remember—knives are not allowed on school premises, nor can they be taken aboard commercial aircraft.”
Agreed …but until the “unfair” is resolved in an orderly fashion (via the rules), Be Prepared.
The new Scout Handbook reads;
“Always obey all regulations about carrying knives in public places, including your school and on airplanes.”
Certainly wise direction for anyone. The Handbook also reads:
“A Scout follows the rules of his family, school and troop. He obeys the laws of his community and country. If he thinks these rules or laws are unfair, he seeks to have them changed in an orderly way.”
Noting in particular what you said in your next-to-last paragraph; nevertheless, a “Scout is Obedient.” With such local zero-tolerance policies in place, and the consequences of violation probably well known in those locales, well-versed Scout leaders should remind their Scouts of BSA guidelines for NOT bringing (any) knives to school. (Reference: “Guide to Safe Scouting,” and the Scout and Cub handbooks).