Then and Now: The History of Mainstream Schooling Has Always Been Harmful and About

The purpose of this chapter is to expose the dark side of mainstream schooling and to share how we can learn in gentler ways. It is also meant to start a conversation about how mainstream schooling is, among other things, dangerous and unhealthy; and it is a tool used to benefit some over others. Throughout this chapter the history of mainstream schooling will be examined. The more time that passes, the more evidence we have showing how dangerous, frightfully controlling, and harmful mainstream schooling is. For example, during the school year, more students take prescription medications, check themselves into hospitals, commit suicide, and report being stressed, incidence of child abuse go up when report cards are handed out, doctors are still trying to figure out why young people get more headaches during back-to-school season, and so on. As well, more recent examples of what mainstream schooling looks like in other places will be explored. The hope is that looking at the past and other places where schooling is used to control and benefit some over others will provide a better understanding of how schools function. This chapter sheds light on the following: Who benefits and who gets left out? Who is advantaged and who is disadvantaged? Does anyone escape unscathed? Is there a better way to learn and be educated? Are there more loving, caring, compassionate, gentle, peaceful, genuine, authentic, fairer, less harmful possibilities? Are there examples that we can look to and learn from? Are there people who are already doing mainstream schooling and learning and educating better?