OK, I'll keep my mom and your mom out of this but, "Of course, that would’ve been inappropriate, so I did what any responsible adult would do—ignored it and then posted about it on the Internet. ", I gotta admit, I laughed out loud.
Second of all you are a brave soul, teaching at the intermediate level in today's inside-out, upside-down bassackwards clown world of values inversion.
Thirdly (on a semi serious note), it is the intolerable act of tolerating every indiscretion, the doublethink of "these are the rules, that no one follows and no one is held to" that has gotten the devolving generations to where they are.
And lastly, enjoy summer vacation, you've most definitely earned it, just like yo momma did.
Yes, “yo momma”! I remember that too, but it was usually “your mom” when I was a kid. Strange how this stuff evolves.
“These are the rules, that no one follows and no one is held to” is the public school system in a nutshell. There’s so much red tape involved in any sort of disciplinary action, it’s usually deemed not worth the effort.
“These are the rules, that no one follows and no one is held to” is the public school system in a nutshell. “…. So, so true! Maybe this is how we got here in the first place 🤷♀️ Death by 1000 cuts. The unacceptable “magically” just becomes, you know, acceptable. It’s really NOT normal. Where did common sense and decency go. LOVED your article. This was by far my toughest year! Enjoy the recharge. I think we’re going to need it. 💕✨
I think you’re spot-on. We rejected harsh (corporal) punishment, and the pendulum swung the complete opposite direction, to the point where any disciplinary action is a potential liability. Smart kids learn that breaking the rules is easier and more fun than adhering to them, and all the mental energy that they should spend on their education goes into avoiding it.
It’s a tough job. Enjoy your summer, and get some much-needed rest!
Surely this means we've hit bottom. The trend of self-loathing we've inculcated can't possibly keep stretching further. There has to be a backlash. We'll really be in trouble otherwise. This level of of nihilism is worthy of suicide bombers.
When I was a preteen, saying “your mother” not “your mom” to someone was extremely insulting. They were what you would call “fighting words.” This was not said to make anyone laugh. Your mother was said in anger. Only “bad” kids said it-mostly boys.
Like you Melissa I can't stand "Mom" jokes. Mom and Mom's should be sacred. I appreciate your up close perspective on Gen Z. I have many nieces and nephews who are GEN Z and I know what you mean to some extent. My kids are 80's born and thankfully always naturally knew not to go there.
Nobody makes mom jokes about my Magnificent Mother! She had five 5️⃣ strapping Sons who never let that happen. And she could defend her beautiful self with aplomb!
Conflict avoidance – yes, but also immigration. «Yo momma» jokes are purely American thing, in many parts of the world people would either not understand or freak out over them. There are serious cultural taboos in play. And the brawl between little Teddy and little Jorge/Ahmed is usually deemed Teddy's fault.
Now, ritual insult games exist in many cultures, but in European tradition (AFAIK) they're mostly connected to wedding (which, mind you, in many rural areas wasn't much better than a slave auction until early 19th century or so; in both cases it's just ritualized haggling over the price). Those transformed into «mother-in-law is the devil» humor (and not-so-humor) which isn't applicable to/by kids who don't have any mothers-in-law.
I'd like some background but insult games like Synanon and what he's referring to are different imo, check out the yo mamma jokes in that Pharcyde song, older hip hop for those who don't know.
Wow. That’s just bizarre. Insulting someone’s mom is a huge insult, insulting your own mom, is blasphemous
There’s something in the water for sure. I do believe video games are programming devices. My youngest son was addicted and I did everything possible to prevent it and then stop it. His dad allowed it at his house.
So eventually he decided I was a piece of shit, moved in with his dad and we haven’t been close since. For years I got the hate you text messages and hope you die memes
All because I wanted him to return to the little boy who climbed trees and caught lizards
I'm so sorry to hear that! I don't know what to say, except that I hope he comes around as he gets older.
Video games are awful—so many bright kids get addicted to video games because it 'hacks' their desire to learn and be productive. It's a waste of time at best, and as you know, it can get a lot worse than that.
That was 8 years ago and I’m finally at peace with it.
We’ve had a couple of good interactions since then but no real connection.
A few times we got close to a reconciliation but then his anger would spew again.
I know deep down he doesn’t hate me, I even think he carries guilt but most likely he’s still playing games and in my opinion they are also escape routes that numb the emotions.
Him and I were great until his dad bought him an X-box. I’d try to tell them how bad they were and he said I was crazy.
But how does someone go from love to hate so quickly? I asked him once what did I do to you? He couldn’t t give me an answer.
It’s unfortunate and I was in pain for years about it, but as I stated I’m finally at peace. I had no other choice. I also have faith that one day all will be fine. Let me correct that- I KNOW one day. Real love never dies! ❤️
I think you shouldn’t have walked by. Instead you should have sent them directly to detention for making that inappropriate joke. And then you should have told their parents.
You make a good point, although in the public school system, sending a kid to detention requires administrative action and a pile of paperwork that no one wants to do in the last week of school.
I don’t make the rules, I just get paid (meagerly) to sporadically enforce them.
Detention for an inappropriate joke!!, as we’d say here in Ireland, are you all right mate? Maybe have the skill set to tackle it head on but nowadays you’d probably need to be a hypnotist or a storm trooper.
OK, I'll keep my mom and your mom out of this but, "Of course, that would’ve been inappropriate, so I did what any responsible adult would do—ignored it and then posted about it on the Internet. ", I gotta admit, I laughed out loud.
So much to unpack here.
First of all, they were "yo momma" jokes.
Second of all you are a brave soul, teaching at the intermediate level in today's inside-out, upside-down bassackwards clown world of values inversion.
Thirdly (on a semi serious note), it is the intolerable act of tolerating every indiscretion, the doublethink of "these are the rules, that no one follows and no one is held to" that has gotten the devolving generations to where they are.
And lastly, enjoy summer vacation, you've most definitely earned it, just like yo momma did.
Yes, “yo momma”! I remember that too, but it was usually “your mom” when I was a kid. Strange how this stuff evolves.
“These are the rules, that no one follows and no one is held to” is the public school system in a nutshell. There’s so much red tape involved in any sort of disciplinary action, it’s usually deemed not worth the effort.
“These are the rules, that no one follows and no one is held to” is the public school system in a nutshell. “…. So, so true! Maybe this is how we got here in the first place 🤷♀️ Death by 1000 cuts. The unacceptable “magically” just becomes, you know, acceptable. It’s really NOT normal. Where did common sense and decency go. LOVED your article. This was by far my toughest year! Enjoy the recharge. I think we’re going to need it. 💕✨
I think you’re spot-on. We rejected harsh (corporal) punishment, and the pendulum swung the complete opposite direction, to the point where any disciplinary action is a potential liability. Smart kids learn that breaking the rules is easier and more fun than adhering to them, and all the mental energy that they should spend on their education goes into avoiding it.
It’s a tough job. Enjoy your summer, and get some much-needed rest!
What do you think it is? I don't know, Melissa, let me ask your mom.
Did not know this was even a thing.
Surely this means we've hit bottom. The trend of self-loathing we've inculcated can't possibly keep stretching further. There has to be a backlash. We'll really be in trouble otherwise. This level of of nihilism is worthy of suicide bombers.
When I was a preteen, saying “your mother” not “your mom” to someone was extremely insulting. They were what you would call “fighting words.” This was not said to make anyone laugh. Your mother was said in anger. Only “bad” kids said it-mostly boys.
It’s crazy how culture evolves. By the time I was a kid, “your mom” was said so often it was basically meaningless.
Like you Melissa I can't stand "Mom" jokes. Mom and Mom's should be sacred. I appreciate your up close perspective on Gen Z. I have many nieces and nephews who are GEN Z and I know what you mean to some extent. My kids are 80's born and thankfully always naturally knew not to go there.
Your momma told me not to go there once.
I think this is very astute. And sad.
Thank goodness we can pass around your mom jokes up in here. This one is good.
Nobody makes mom jokes about my Magnificent Mother! She had five 5️⃣ strapping Sons who never let that happen. And she could defend her beautiful self with aplomb!
Pffff. The dude with the wine glass is clearly a rake. Check your privilege!
Conflict avoidance – yes, but also immigration. «Yo momma» jokes are purely American thing, in many parts of the world people would either not understand or freak out over them. There are serious cultural taboos in play. And the brawl between little Teddy and little Jorge/Ahmed is usually deemed Teddy's fault.
Why is it an American peculiarity? The theory that connects «yo momma» to Negro ritual insult games and thence to slave auctions seems fairly plausible: https://medium.com/@ericreesebooks/the-sad-history-of-yo-mama-jokes-46e86b015a36
Now, ritual insult games exist in many cultures, but in European tradition (AFAIK) they're mostly connected to wedding (which, mind you, in many rural areas wasn't much better than a slave auction until early 19th century or so; in both cases it's just ritualized haggling over the price). Those transformed into «mother-in-law is the devil» humor (and not-so-humor) which isn't applicable to/by kids who don't have any mothers-in-law.
The immigration thing makes SO much sense. There’s a huge immigrant population at the school. I wouldn’t have even thought about it!
I’d never heard this about the origins of “yo momma” jokes. That’s terrible!
I'd like some background but insult games like Synanon and what he's referring to are different imo, check out the yo mamma jokes in that Pharcyde song, older hip hop for those who don't know.
Two possibilities: The kid is just kinda dumb and he doesn't get how the joke works, or he's got a really dysfunctional relationship with his mom 🤣
Haha! Maybe both?
Or it wasn't a joke at all, and his mother is genuinely clumsy with water bottles.
It wouldn't be the first time that an adult's mind went somewhere different with a kid's innocent remark.
You asked what this incident tells us about the young? We lose them to sociopathy.
Wow. That’s just bizarre. Insulting someone’s mom is a huge insult, insulting your own mom, is blasphemous
There’s something in the water for sure. I do believe video games are programming devices. My youngest son was addicted and I did everything possible to prevent it and then stop it. His dad allowed it at his house.
So eventually he decided I was a piece of shit, moved in with his dad and we haven’t been close since. For years I got the hate you text messages and hope you die memes
All because I wanted him to return to the little boy who climbed trees and caught lizards
I'm so sorry to hear that! I don't know what to say, except that I hope he comes around as he gets older.
Video games are awful—so many bright kids get addicted to video games because it 'hacks' their desire to learn and be productive. It's a waste of time at best, and as you know, it can get a lot worse than that.
No need to be sorry but thank you.
That was 8 years ago and I’m finally at peace with it.
We’ve had a couple of good interactions since then but no real connection.
A few times we got close to a reconciliation but then his anger would spew again.
I know deep down he doesn’t hate me, I even think he carries guilt but most likely he’s still playing games and in my opinion they are also escape routes that numb the emotions.
Him and I were great until his dad bought him an X-box. I’d try to tell them how bad they were and he said I was crazy.
But how does someone go from love to hate so quickly? I asked him once what did I do to you? He couldn’t t give me an answer.
It’s unfortunate and I was in pain for years about it, but as I stated I’m finally at peace. I had no other choice. I also have faith that one day all will be fine. Let me correct that- I KNOW one day. Real love never dies! ❤️
Your mom is so fat she walked in front of the TV and I missed a whole season.
You're absolutely right, that's a weird, meaningful social development.
Also, I once made a "Your Dad" joke, in so many words, to a friend, and he said, "That's my Dad, dude." I was less open with him, going forward.
The hoe cartoon reminded me of this:
https://youtu.be/Q_NjgpNKCdE?si=EuS2KzKiy-CKxbcw
Haha!
I think you shouldn’t have walked by. Instead you should have sent them directly to detention for making that inappropriate joke. And then you should have told their parents.
(You asked what we thought.)
Haha!
You make a good point, although in the public school system, sending a kid to detention requires administrative action and a pile of paperwork that no one wants to do in the last week of school.
I don’t make the rules, I just get paid (meagerly) to sporadically enforce them.
Sometimes you must do what you don’t want to. 🤷♂️
Detention for an inappropriate joke!!, as we’d say here in Ireland, are you all right mate? Maybe have the skill set to tackle it head on but nowadays you’d probably need to be a hypnotist or a storm trooper.
Piff paff bang. Right solution.