Prep School Scandals

Prep School Admissions Prep School Parents
1

There has been a lot in the news regarding prep schools. We are applying for next year and this is really bothering me. This article doesn’t include the Taft, St. Paul’s, or Porthsmouth Abbey cases. What are your thoughts? Any suggestions on how to keep your kids safe at boarding school? http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2015/08/21/the-recent-history-new-england-prep-school-sex-scandals/LYLnywG3cgNvdlR7ADgixK/story.html

2

I just posted a “rant” about this in another thread (the thread is entitled “I tried to talk to my school about rape culture …” or something and my comment is the last one - not sure how to link).

  1. Most of the scandals in that list are very dated. I actually was surprised they had to dig that deep into the past. I'm sure the same or worse happens at many other High Schools, but it is just too good a story to talk about expensive prep schools with famous alums having skeletons in their closets.
  2. During the high school years, many kids will have sexual experience. They need to be taught from the beginning about consent, good decision-making, and the implications of bad decision-making. I had my son read a very good NYT article on the St. Pauls case and we talked about it, but it is better coming from the school or another setting. My message is, if you get yourself into a situation where you can be accused of an unwanted advance or activity, your life/career as they stand will be over. If you get yourself into a situation where you can be compromised against your will (e.g., drinking heavily, or going to a make out spot with someone of the opposite sex whom you don't 1000 % trust) you can have a devastating and life altering experience. And NEVER post stuff about sex, conquests, etc. on Facebook, facebook messenger, snapchat, etc. I think the St Pauls kid's greatest undoing was his appalling FB messages/emails about "slaying" girls.
  3. Demand more from the schools in terms of policies explicitly focused on consent and respect especially when it comes to hook ups or fooling around. Make disciplinary actions for unwanted physical or emotional attentions much much stricter.