Editorial: The Rite stuff

OPINION: Teenage boys are tricky creatures. It is a quirk of nature that at the very same time that boys are full of their most potential, energy and ideas, they are also at their most vulnerable and difficult to manage.

They are like rockets on the launchpad of life, packed with energy and ready to go, but with huge potential to head off in the wrong direction or self destruct.

The scope for disaster at this vulnerable age is tremendous, but so also is the potential to lay the building blocks of responsible men.

That is why it is encouraging to see that Timaru Boys' High School has decided to adopt an Australian programme aimed at addressing teenage problems, as featured on our front page today.

The Rite Journey seeks to introduce the old idea of rites of passage to adulthood and it is targeted at Year 10 pupils. It recognises that the modern rites of passage include binge drinking, experimenting with drugs and sexual conquests, and wants to replace these with a more positive journey to adulthood for boys. The programme also recognises that many young men are growing up without appropriate male role models, and the sessions are aimed to overcome this by providing male guides to the rites of passage.

It is a courageous move on the school's behalf. It would be easy for schools to leave this sort of thing to parents, but it is clear from our rates of teen problems, including suicide, drug and alcohol problems, that teenage boys are a vulnerable group and a lot of parents need help to handle them.

The Boys' High staff involved clearly feel that it is not good enough to leave this sort of stuff to parents, and are willing to invest time and hard work in trying to make a difference to the boys in their care.

The school has recognised that its role at the heart of the community can be influential, and wants to make the most of it.

The course has the backing of some authoritative teen specialists, including Australian psychologist Steve Biddulph. Mr Biddulph, who has spent years researching and writing influential books on boys which have become indispensable to many parents, described it as a course that was comprehensive, sustained and potentially life changing for boys.

There have been many fashions and fads in education over the years as teachers and parents know, and it will be interesting to see what results The Rite Journey achieves in a year or so.

Boys' High clearly believes it is onto a winner with the course, and it must be hoped that it lives up to expectations.

The key to success will more than likely be the enthusiasm of the staff at Boys' High to stick with the programme and see it through.

Hopefully parents of the school's Year 10 pupils will swing in behind the course, and play their part as well.

- © Fairfax NZ News