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February 12, 2004

The delusion of tranquility

Movies and news reports have created the impression that urban high schools are rife with disorder and social decay. On the other hand, the suburban high schools, housed in state-of-the-art buildings, are exemplary institutions of learning. A recent study indicates that the common impression is false.

The Manhattan Institute for Policy Research has recently published the results of a study that show the rate of sexual activity, illicit drug use and delinquency are fairly equivalent in the urban and suburban public schools. The report finds that:

• Two thirds of all suburban and urban 12th graders have had sex.

• However, 43 percent of suburban 12th graders and 39 percent of urban 12th graders have had sex with a person with whom there was no romantic relationship.

• Over 60 percent of suburban 12th graders have tried smoking cigarettes compared to only 54 percent of urban 12th graders.

• And 37 percent of suburban 12th graders are regular smokers compared with 30 percent of urban 12th graders.

• The use of alcohol is more common among suburban 12th graders, 74 percent as compared with 71 percent for urban 12th graders.

• The use of illegal drugs is equivalent, 40 percent of 12th graders in the city as well as the suburbs.

• The rate of fighting and stealing is also about equal with urban and suburban students.

Middle-class families which move to the suburbs, are likely to find more academically challenging public schools. However, they are not likely to find “safer, more orderly and more wholesome environments.” Adults must realize that social and moral decay among teenagers is a national problem. It is not peculiar to the cities or to specific ethnic groups.

Americans have permitted their cherished personal liberties to transmute into license. It is time for parents, whether black or white or residents of the city or the suburbs, to step up and establish more reasonable standards of conduct for their children. Parents might find that their children will respect them for it.

Poor politics

There is a rumor around town that Boston City Council President Michael F. Flaherty has ambitions to become mayor one day. However, his heavy-handed treatment of the three councilors of color suggests that he must have other plans.

The first dispute was his autocratic application of Rule19 to quiet debate on public issues over which the council might not have direct authority. These issues are of special importance to Center City residents who now comprise the majority of Boston’s population.

The second dispute was especially egregious. Flaherty removed Chuck Turner as chairman of the Education Committee, and replaced him with a white chairman and vice-chairman. This was especially insensitive since the city is about to change to a neighborhood school assignment plan. Flaherty made the switch even though 85 percent of the student population is not white.

Flaherty is busily creating a record which will prevent his election as mayor of a city which is becoming increasingly non-white.

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