I'm back
Submitted by Mark on December 22 2000 18:26:52
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Hello everyone! It's been a long time since I've posted here. I've been so busy with school, and then I had computer problems for a few weeks, but I think they're solved. I've got a break now from school, so I can post a bit more. It's great to see some new people here; welcome to CBF! It's also nice to see some of the old regulars. Here are some of the things going on with me. Some of you may know I moved this past summer in order to teach at a new school. It is a private school, but unlike my last school, it is not specifically a Christian school. This was a good change for me since the new school is much less homophobic, much better funded, much better run, and has an excellent faculty. It is a very professional atmosphere. Here's something interesting: One teacher there lent me his copies of Foucault's three volume set "The History of Sexuality" which mostly discusses the ancient Greeks' ideas about love for women and boys. He lent me them after we discussed issues related to homosexuality. Although we did not come out to each other, I suspect that he is gay and that he suspects I am too. From reading Foucault, it became clear to me that for the ancient Greeks, homosexuality was man-boy love, not man-man love. From some other historical reading I have done (e.g., www.androphile.org), it seems that the same is true of most or much of homosexuality in general during the past. At school, I am concerned about J, a 12 yo student. I do not teach him, but he is in the computer club I lead. I've been told by other teachers that his parents say his IQ is in the genius range. However, when I explain something to him, none of the ideas seem to make it into his mind. His eyes are often very watery, and he seems unable to focus his mind. Teachers say he is often inattentive and disruptive in his classes. His parents (both doctors I'm told) have him on some drugs for ADHD and something else, and give him sleeping pills because he can't sleep at night. I'm also told that after school he spends all his time in his room with his computer. His father is not currently living at home, but will join the family in a couple months. J always tells me that he's tired, or depressed, or stressed. He brings this up, but then doesn't want to discuss it. The latest thing he told me was that he was in a tight spot over his parents and his "manhood." When I told him I was available if he wanted to talk, he objected, saying that I'm on the enemy side, along with other teachers and the administrator. I told him I care about him; we'll see if I can convince him of that. I'm also trying my hand at mentoring; I volunteered for a local church program. I've been assigned to D, an 11 yo boy who is bright and very nice. We meet together in a group setting twice a month to do some structured activities at the church. I don't think that's really enough to mentor very effectively, but that's how the program is set up. He lives with his mother; his parents were never married. I've been told by the leaders of the program that his father seems not to care too much about D since he's sometimes not at home when the mother drives D up for visitation. D has ambitious plans for his future; he wants to be an engineer. He also enjoys skateboarding. On the web, I found and printed out some articles about some famous skateboarders and about engineering. He was very excited and grateful when I gave him the information. His mother told me that he does very well at school, but often has a bad attitude with her at home. She also said he often acts silly or gives his things away in order to make friends at his new school. Merry Christmas to everyone! Mark |
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