OPINION: “I’m Not Gaslighting You”

BY: JENNA HUBBS

JANUARY 18, 2023

“Why haven’t you gotten out of bed? School starts soon, stop being lazy and get up. Have you done your homework? Why aren’t you done with your work? Focus on your tasks. Come on, you’re becoming a disappointment. Work faster. Be more efficient. Your grades aren’t good enough. Why can’t you be like the other students? I’m not reprimanding you, I’m helping you. I’m making you a better student. I’m not gaslighting you!”

Students face manipulation and are gaslighted nearly everyday when they walk into school. Teachers tell students that their work isn’t good enough. Letter grades label students by their intelligence, or so it is said. But what about their worth as people? For example, those with higher grades usually participate more in class discussions. Those with lower grades don’t tend to make a contribution to the class.

If you were the teacher, would you spend more time on those who contribute or those who need more time and help but don’t serve your daily agenda? Every teacher is free to make this choice however they choose, but it’s more common than we would like to acknowledge that students aren’t all treated equally. 

Students who may have lower grades or less motivation usually get the short end of the stick. They are told to be better, to do their work, to work faster. But that’s not manipulation, they tell us. Teachers say they’re making these comments for the betterment of their students, but that is not always the truth. 

Sometimes students put their entire heart and soul into their work ,but still don’t see the results they wish to see. Then they’re told, “You didn’t put enough effort.” Other times it might be “If you put in half as much effort as you put into … you’d be doing great.” Regardless of how much work you put in, some teachers are blind to it. This oversight is happening everywhere all the time.

“You’re not doing what I’m telling you to do. Go to the office. Be quiet and work. Don’t move or talk to your friends. You’re hopeless. Just put your head down and try to get through high school. I’m giving you good advice. I’m trying to boost your future. I’m not gaslighting you.”