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Part of the evolution of organisms is a tendency for the strong to prey upon the weak.

While this is useful for the initial establishment of a species, there comes a point where it is counter-productive. Human civilisation has progressed beyond that point and recognised that each individual may contribute, so mechanisms have been put in place to maintain the rule of law and see that justice is available for all.

This week's Write Space by Peter Dashwood.

We have developed police forces and armies to ensure our security and protect the population. This represents ‘Authority' and although we don't always like or agree with it, most of us recognize that it is necessary in order for us to live together in groups, without allowing the fiercest be the ‘rightest'.

(I once saw a bumper sticker on a car in Los Angeles which read: ‘If you don't like cops, next time you're in trouble, yell for a hippie…')

I see two developments which threaten to undermine ‘Authority' and push us towards chaos:

1. Political correctness gone crazy.

2. Lack of respect, discipline, and responsibility.

(it may well be that two above is a direct consequence of one above…)

Recently, at one of our high schools, two female students were savagely attacked by other students and the teacher was prevented from intervening. The principal decided to expel one of the attackers, but she was not seen to be fair, she did not consult the parties involved, and it seemed it was more important to prevent the students from leaking what happened to the media than to actually get it resolved.

How has the school developed a ‘culture' where this kind of behavior is considered to be an acceptable way to resolve issues?

The principal is ultimately responsible.

The girls who carried out the attack are from a culture where the rules may be different. Any attempt to explain that we see physical violence as unacceptable for settling disputes could be considered ‘racism' and so the principal has to walk a tightrope.

We really needed ‘Political Correctness' to help us deal with the realisation that women are every bit as capable as men (and should be treated fairly and paid the same), and that discriminating against people on the basis of their sex, colour, religion, age or any other attribute, has no place in a diverse multi-cultural society.

It's time we took another look at it.

Do we really need a government to tell us we can't give children a correcting smack? Are we so inured to the Nanny State that we EXPECT the government to take care of us without any real effort or thought on our part? Given that we strive for all facets of our society to get a fair deal, is it really ‘racism' if we have to point out to certain groups that what may be okay in their particular society isn't okay in ours?

If you had neighbours who liked to sacrifice a goat in the street on certain feast days, would it be ‘racist' to suggest that they find a less public place to do it, where people who don't share their belief would not be so offended?

If you opt to live in a society, you must accept its laws and customs. And you must educate your children to do that if you want them to have a future in that society.

It isn't about WHO's right, it is about WHAT's right.

Hitting people, as a general rule, can never be right. The only exception would be (as a last resort) with children pushing the envelope. After being repeatedly warned, if they persist, a quick smack which hurts pride more than body can be a lasting reminder of where the boundaries are. (And I'm not advocating you beat your children within an inch of their lives or shake them into unconsciousness…)

Expelling the student or students who offended is NOT the answer.

It doesn't solve the problem – it simply pushes it to another school.

Furthermore, if we deny young people an education because of something that may have happened in a fit of temper, we are denying them justice and delivering the wrong message.

We need to teach them how to resolve issues and how to manage their tempers. They need to see that correct behavior leads to a better solution.

In this case, where a minority is in trouble, the leaders of that community should be involved, along with parents, teachers, and students. The aim should be for open discussion and examination, not for suppression of what happened.

More positive ways of resolving conflict should be agreed. Attitudes need to be adjusted and that is best achieved by changing the culture at the school.

Kids, like adults, don't have to like each other, but they do have to be civil and observe a code of behavior that reflects respect and courtesy.

Ways need to be found to engage kids who feel excluded. Any instance of physical or mental abuse should be nipped in the bud by both students and teachers. School should be safe for everyone attending. If it isn't, learning cannot occur and the whole exercise is futile.

Teaching kids how to deal with conflict is every bit as important as teaching them calculus or chemistry. School is not just about education, it is about personal growth as well.

How we address the schooling of our young people will determine the society we live in tomorrow.