Theatricality featured music and costumes inspired by Lady Gaga--all entertaining and fun to watch--but the sub-plot dealt with the subject of bullying. The source of the bullying came from two school jocks, who threaten both Kurt and Finn. Playing into stereotypes of school bullying, the two football players threaten to beat Kurt up because, as they explain to him, "We're not Gaga for Gaga...You dress all freaky, and then you rub it in everybody's faces." When Kurt defends himself (and by extension the other Glee Club members), they tell him that the next time he "expresses" himself, they will beat him up. The jocks aren't just targeting Kurt, but also threaten Finn. Although Finn is their teammate, they disapprove of his participation in Glee Club. At one point, Finn verbally attacks Kurt, giving in to the pressure of his peers. Finn redeems himself when he stands up for Kurt, just before the jocks attack him in the school bathroom.
While the bullying aspects of the show definitely took a back seat to the Gaga "theatricality" of the rest of the episode, it does raise an important issue in elementary and secondary schools. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) released a report in 2009 on school crime, which includes statistics on school bullying. Nearly 1/3 of junior high and high school students reported being bullied at some point during 2007, including 23 percent who reported that the bullying occurred on school grounds. Of those who reported being bullied, 7 percent reported being bullied almost daily. Although the bullying portrayed in Glee occurred between males, a higher percentage of females reported being bullied. The report disaggregates the information by gender and race/ethnicity, but not by sexuality, which appeared to be a critical catalyst in the Glee storyline.
In addition, cyber-bullying is a new phenomenon that is occurring with the rise of online activity and the number of social networks available to students. Four percent of students reported being bullied online, and some schools have even begun to set policies to reduce cyber-bullying. It will be interesting to see if the writers of Glee incorporate cyber-bullying into a future episode.
Showing posts with label Glee. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Glee. Show all posts
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Glee - Dream On
This week's episode of Glee centered on William McKinley High School board member Bryan Ryan, played by Neil Patrick Harris, who threatens to cut the glee club in an effort to save the school money. Being a former glee club member who has "come to his senses," Bryan claims that by participating in glee club, students have false hopes and dreams of becoming stars. He not only sees cutting the glee club as a way to save money, but as a way to prevent students from being misled about realizing their dreams.
Will Schuester, the glee club instructor, helps Bryan realize that he still loves to sing, and does not really want to cut the club. Bryan then begins to review other extracurricular programs, including cheerleading.
Bryan argues with Sue Sylvester, the Cheerleader/Cheerios coach that arts and music education benefit students. He provides the example that singing helps students hear different pitches, which helps them learn different languages. Sue argues that since 1/3 of American teenagers are obese and only 2 percent of high schools require daily physical activity, that athletic programs like hers are needed. In addition, sports teaches students how to work together, helps them learn how to solve problems, improves their social skills, and increases attendance and grades. Sue has "done her homework" and she is right, yet many public high schools have cut funding for physical education programs and classes. Bryan is also right, and yet arts education programs are usually the first programs to be cut in a budget crisis.
Sue's statistics are correct, according to a study released by the Center for Disease Control in 2006. Only 2 percent of high schools, 8 percent of middle schools, and 4 percent of elementary schools required daily physical activity. With childhood obesity on the rise in the U.S., and life threatening diseases such as juvenile diabetes increasing in children and teenagers, physical education should be a priority in our schools. At the same time, arts education should not be underfunded or not exist. Somehow, we have to find a way to fund both, and fund both adequately.
Will Schuester, the glee club instructor, helps Bryan realize that he still loves to sing, and does not really want to cut the club. Bryan then begins to review other extracurricular programs, including cheerleading.
Bryan argues with Sue Sylvester, the Cheerleader/Cheerios coach that arts and music education benefit students. He provides the example that singing helps students hear different pitches, which helps them learn different languages. Sue argues that since 1/3 of American teenagers are obese and only 2 percent of high schools require daily physical activity, that athletic programs like hers are needed. In addition, sports teaches students how to work together, helps them learn how to solve problems, improves their social skills, and increases attendance and grades. Sue has "done her homework" and she is right, yet many public high schools have cut funding for physical education programs and classes. Bryan is also right, and yet arts education programs are usually the first programs to be cut in a budget crisis.
Sue's statistics are correct, according to a study released by the Center for Disease Control in 2006. Only 2 percent of high schools, 8 percent of middle schools, and 4 percent of elementary schools required daily physical activity. With childhood obesity on the rise in the U.S., and life threatening diseases such as juvenile diabetes increasing in children and teenagers, physical education should be a priority in our schools. At the same time, arts education should not be underfunded or not exist. Somehow, we have to find a way to fund both, and fund both adequately.
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