It’s common these days for friends to send jokes to each other over the Internet and at times those jokes hit on some reality that does not otherwise penetrate into daily life. Here is one such instance from Rodney Dawes of South Yonderup, near Perth, Australia; a contribution to Pressenza, relaying on the contents of an interchange with his pal Paul Coates on school – differences now and then, 1950 – 2014.
SCHOOL – 1950s v 2014
Scenario :
Johnny and Mark get into a fight after school.
1950s – Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up best friends.
2014 – Police called, and they arrest Johnny and Mark & charge them with assault.
Both expelled even though Johnny started it.
Both children go to anger management programmes for 3 months.
School governors hold meeting to implement bullying prevention programmes.
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Scenario :
Robbie won’t be still in class, disrupts other students.
1950s – Robbie sent to the office and given six of the best by the Principal.
Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.
2014 – Robbie given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. Tested for ADHD – result deemed to be positive. Robbie’s parents get fortnightly disability payments and school gets extra funding from government because Robbie has a disability.
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Scenario :
Billy breaks a window in his neighbour’s car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.
1950s – Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.
2014 – Billy’s dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed to foster care; joins a gang; ends up in jail.
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Scenario :
Mark gets a headache and takes some Aspirin to school.
1950s – Mark gets glass of water from Principal to take aspirin with, passes exams & becomes a solicitor.
2014 – Police called, car searched for drugs and weapons.
Mark expelled from school for drug taking. Ends up as a drop out.
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Scenario :
Johnny takes apart leftover fireworks from Guy Fawkes night, puts them in a paint tin & blows up a wasp’s nest.
1950s – Wasps die.
2014 – Police & Anti-Terrorism Squad called. Johnny charged with domestic terrorism, investigate parents, siblings removed from home, computers confiscated.
Johnny’s Dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly in an aeroplane again.
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Scenario :
Johnny falls over while playing football during morning break and scrapes his knee.
He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. She hugs him to comfort him.
1950s – In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing football. No damage done.
2014 – Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in prison.
Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy and ends up gay.
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