Challenge and Reward

In looking at the history of the school counselor we have seen tremendous change in the challenges that our students face, which has also had a direct impact on the challenges for the counselor. One of the biggest problems that I think the counselor faces is the growing number of non traditional family units. In the 50’s and 60’s parents would send their kids to school with a foundation of a traditional two parent home support unit. Education was a priority and a joint venture to the parents of the 50’s and 60’s. Many of the homes today have single parents that never completed high school themselves and students seem to think it’s ok because their parents never finished. The work ethic of some of the parents that carries over with many of the students creates an environment that is not conducive for learning. Morals of some of the single parent homes also create challenges for today’s counselor. Despite the example that may be demonstrated by the counselor in the six hour day, it is hard to overcome the complex lives and examples that are instilled in the student in their home environment. There are also the negative role models that seem to inundate the students. The emphasis is on making quick money by involving one’s self in illegal activity. Education has a hard time competing with “Why should I wait when I have it now by doing this activity or some other activity?” This is a quick fix to a basic “Maslow” deficiency. This will feed for a day but not a life time. It must also be said that there are some great single mothers and fathers that do a wonderful job in teaching and working with their children at home. What I think would be most rewarding is to see the students that you reach through all the challenges that you face. With all the changes that face the counselor today what will face the counselor in the next generation?