The social denial of hurt feelings has kept this subject shrouded in mystery. Emotional education is a healthy, non-stigmatizing way of revealing this mystery to teens. We can teach how to increase emotional honesty and capability for identifying underlying fears and feelings. Adolescents, in particular, need help with discovering these liberating facts of life. It is essential that all teens learn why hiding hurt feelings actually exacerbates their emotional distress, and may lead to destructive behavior toward themselves and others.
Schools provide sex education and physical education.
Officials in Jefferson County, home of Columbine High, are shocked and bewildered over what could have possessed teens in their upscale suburb to perpetrate such a brutal and intolerant violence against innocent peers. Like many affluent suburbs, Littleton was proud of its excellent schools and well-educated population. To community leaders it seemed like the last place such a senseless tragedy might occur. Law enforcement and school officials worked closely together. Clearly, there is a big difference and impact between teaching anger-management and general emotional education programs.