Why Zero Tolerance Policies Don't Work

In an earlier post, I addressed the issues of one school's zero tolerance policy on being in the presence of alcohol. One girl made the decision to save her friend from potentially driving drunk herself, getting into the car with a drunk driver, or being taken advantage of at a party. In her attempt to save her friend by acting as a designated driver, her high school punished her for being in the presence of a party with alcohol. Not even the polices' statement that she had no involvement in the party could help her.

Today we have a new example of the unintended consequences of zero tolerance. East Lee County High School in Florida has a zero tolerance policy on fights; who started it or why it started is irrelevant. If you are involved in a fight in any way, shape, or form, you will be suspended. And so, Mark Betterson, who intervened on behalf of a student who was being bullied for his sexual orientation, is now facing a 10 day suspension.

Photo by Fox4

What is interesting is that Florida is notorious for their "stand your ground law" which protects the right to self defense. It is clear that his intentions were not to fight but actually to prevent harm to another individual, which relates to the Florida law that allows individuals to protect themselves from
others who are doing wrong. In this case, not only was Betterson acting in self defense (the bully swung at him first for stepping in), but he was doing so on behalf of a student who was also in danger.

Controversy of the stand your ground law aside, the zero tolerance policy of the school does not allow for the intricacies of human thought and behavior. When schools do not take into account the moral heroism Betterson illustrated in addressing his involvement in a fight, acts of compassion are less likely to occur. The message to Betterson and all others who would defend a fellow student is that you should not take any action yourself, even if it is to protect another person.

The school system in both Betterson's case and the young girl who acted to protect her drunk friend systematically punish everyone the same regardless of the circumstances or motives. Is this the way we want to teach our children right from wrong? The consequences for this type of punishment are immense. We need to encourage our children to realize that right and wrong are not black and white, and perhaps there is greater value in protecting another person rather than abiding by the school's rigid zero tolerance policy.

Unless, of course, we no longer value compassion for the suffering of others, and it is more important to do what you are told rather than what you believe is right.