Forumites,
I have been away from Broke Straight Boys scenes and this forum for some time. Primarily, I have been inundated with guests from the great Northern areas of wind-chills, snow and little sun light. I relish in those visits as it means that family and friends offer lots of input on topics from family, religion, society, politics, child-rearing, etc. that I do miss from my days when I coexisted in the same climate but deserted for warmer climes but with fewer divergent concepts, impressions, attitudes or opinions about myriad topics within each of those issues. Porn vids and the forums that are generated as a result of those scenes proved to be a great diversion for a perceived (or real) sense of lacking for such discussions.
But, I have read this thread twice and both times came away with a sense of sullenness.
When I left university and ventured into the capitalist world that dictated, "Be all that you can be within the limits you set upon your abilities" to support a family of four at the age of 20, I went on to teach school. I taught both junior (now middle) high and senior high school students. The lack of frontal lobe development left so many of those students engaged in variances of put downs, bullying, and "click' clinging to verify social status, popularity and one's ability to fit in and be accepted through verbal (oral and written) attacks that were based in "one up - one down" validation of both status and personal sense of achievement. It truly sickened me. I guess I grew up in a social setting that had not provoked such upmanship. Certainly there existed "groups" who were considered "popular" in ways other groups were not. But challenges of one's dignity did not occur. So, those actions and behaviors really got me down and I started a group in which I guaranteed students would not be attacked by any member of the group as long as the group was meeting. And, it worked. Students who didn't think they would "fit in", made an attempt and kids who never, ever talked to them were suddenly talking with them. A true sense of community, while still recognizing differences - and respecting them - was the result. I am still in touch with many of those former students who have said that those efforts I did on my own - with the blessing of a principal, superintendent and school board - say it changed them forever and their own children benefited from the same confidence they gained through their experiences at the "Pals Place". What a dumb name - but it worked to serve up Respect whenever in the confines of that Soda Shop back room.
The sentiments stated about individuals on here are, perhaps, honest. But deliberate efforts to hurt another individual's person and psyche is never appropriate. It makes me sad that there seems to be a peg on which members, having taken off their "respect" cloak, hang that cloak (maybe feeling said cloak has been stripped from them and not voluntarily placed on that peg) and the gloves are put on and left hook, right hook and gut jabs become the name of the game.
Yes, honesty (and freedom of speech) should never challenge what one types. But whatever is done should show considerations for what every sane human being desires and that is to be viewed - be it physically or digitally - with respect. Cut downs might make the "do-er" feel good, but it can greatly affect in a not so good way the recipient of the attack. Maybe that is just "part of the interest and fun" in such a forum. But I, personally, do not want to be responsible for or culpable in making any individual feel less than all they are entitled to be.
Wind beneath my wings, I suppose. Support is so much more valuable than put downs and are what everybody prefers.
So, there I am again - blah, blah, blah. Just my thoughts and I certainly hope no one feels "put down" by this. If you feel attacked, reflect on why you might feel such as I have no intent for such feelings.
I have been away from Broke Straight Boys scenes and this forum for some time. Primarily, I have been inundated with guests from the great Northern areas of wind-chills, snow and little sun light. I relish in those visits as it means that family and friends offer lots of input on topics from family, religion, society, politics, child-rearing, etc. that I do miss from my days when I coexisted in the same climate but deserted for warmer climes but with fewer divergent concepts, impressions, attitudes or opinions about myriad topics within each of those issues. Porn vids and the forums that are generated as a result of those scenes proved to be a great diversion for a perceived (or real) sense of lacking for such discussions.
But, I have read this thread twice and both times came away with a sense of sullenness.
When I left university and ventured into the capitalist world that dictated, "Be all that you can be within the limits you set upon your abilities" to support a family of four at the age of 20, I went on to teach school. I taught both junior (now middle) high and senior high school students. The lack of frontal lobe development left so many of those students engaged in variances of put downs, bullying, and "click' clinging to verify social status, popularity and one's ability to fit in and be accepted through verbal (oral and written) attacks that were based in "one up - one down" validation of both status and personal sense of achievement. It truly sickened me. I guess I grew up in a social setting that had not provoked such upmanship. Certainly there existed "groups" who were considered "popular" in ways other groups were not. But challenges of one's dignity did not occur. So, those actions and behaviors really got me down and I started a group in which I guaranteed students would not be attacked by any member of the group as long as the group was meeting. And, it worked. Students who didn't think they would "fit in", made an attempt and kids who never, ever talked to them were suddenly talking with them. A true sense of community, while still recognizing differences - and respecting them - was the result. I am still in touch with many of those former students who have said that those efforts I did on my own - with the blessing of a principal, superintendent and school board - say it changed them forever and their own children benefited from the same confidence they gained through their experiences at the "Pals Place". What a dumb name - but it worked to serve up Respect whenever in the confines of that Soda Shop back room.
The sentiments stated about individuals on here are, perhaps, honest. But deliberate efforts to hurt another individual's person and psyche is never appropriate. It makes me sad that there seems to be a peg on which members, having taken off their "respect" cloak, hang that cloak (maybe feeling said cloak has been stripped from them and not voluntarily placed on that peg) and the gloves are put on and left hook, right hook and gut jabs become the name of the game.
Yes, honesty (and freedom of speech) should never challenge what one types. But whatever is done should show considerations for what every sane human being desires and that is to be viewed - be it physically or digitally - with respect. Cut downs might make the "do-er" feel good, but it can greatly affect in a not so good way the recipient of the attack. Maybe that is just "part of the interest and fun" in such a forum. But I, personally, do not want to be responsible for or culpable in making any individual feel less than all they are entitled to be.
Wind beneath my wings, I suppose. Support is so much more valuable than put downs and are what everybody prefers.
So, there I am again - blah, blah, blah. Just my thoughts and I certainly hope no one feels "put down" by this. If you feel attacked, reflect on why you might feel such as I have no intent for such feelings.
