Dawn Eden has a bleg.
Hello again! The Dawn Patrol is still in hibernation, but I need your help for the next installment of my Daily News column "Blog On!" This request is only for current or former students or faculty of Catholic high schools, and for Catholic clergy and religious—especially ones who blog:
Please read today’s Daily Record story about a Catholic high school that’s banned blogging, and tell me whether you agree or disagree with the school’s decision, and why. You can either post your comment below or e-mail me, dawn -at- dawneden.com (replacing the -at- with an atsign). Responding to this question means you give your consent to be quoted in "Blog On!"
In your response, please note whether you are a current or former student or faculty member at a Catholic high school, or whether you are a priest, monk, or nun. Also, please either include your e-mail address for verification in the space provided or—if you’re a blogger—just include your URL and I’ll write you at the e-mail address listed on your blog. I’ll be writing the column this Wednesday night.
Thanks very much. I look forward to reading your comments and writing about this issue.
6 comments
The link isn’t working.
I taught writing for a year at an excellent independent Catholic school several years ago. A private school is within its rights to make conditions of enrollment, which parents and students are free either to accept or refuse (and thus not attend). That said, I think the school’s decision injudicious. Of course the school doesn’t see it as censorship – who ever sees their own actions as censorship? Furthermore, it’s bad for discipline to make rules that cannot possibly be enforced – all the student need do is to take down his photograph and blog from home under an assumed name, and he’s undetectable for all practical purposes. I would not have counseled the administration to make this rule.
I understand the school’s concern, but this is something that should be monitored and enforced by the parents. It is not the school’s responsibility to parent the child.
I attended Catholic schools for 12 years and I believe that they can warn parents and students about the dangers involved, but how on earth can they enforce such a policy?
I’m a 1982 graduate of a Catholic High School.
More relevant to this discusion, I have a son (7th grade) who attends a Catholic Prep School (6th through 12th grade). My wife just discovered his profile on myspace.com and was quite upset.
My opinion is that it is perfectly legitimate for the school to prohibit this activity. One of the reasons we send our children to private Catholic Schools is that we recognize the need for consistency and continuity between their school, home, and social lives. The faculty and student body is an extension of our family sharing the same commitment to the Catholic Faith.
A ban such as this is just a formal statement on a specific topic of an understanding that already exists between me and the school adminstration. Of course some students will disagree and is to be expected. Their disagreement is not in and of itself a problem as long as they adhere to the rule while they disagree. They have the freedom to disagree but since they are still children they require a great deal of guidance. The school’s authority is an extension of my authority as a parent and I expect the school to aid in the moral guidance of my child.
Some issues are serious enough to require a specific policy to clarify an existing commitment. The school featured in this article beleives this issue is significant enough to require a formal statement. Any other Catholic School worthy of the title has the same authority but may not see the need to formalize it at this time.
What is a bleg?
I think I read somewhere that the school could come to an ageement with individual students if they remove all mention of the school on the profile. This says to me that the concern isn’t only for individual students, but also that predators or such may target the school.
A bleg is a blog beg. A blog is a web log. What next?