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I Have a Big Problem With The Word “Let”
Sometimes, why are we supposed to be responsible for the negative behaviors of others?
“You can’t let them talk to you like that.”
“Kids do what you let them do.”
“Why are you letting him sit on the counter?”
“Why did you let that kid walk out of your classroom?”
Work as an educator, or in the service industry long enough, and you’ll hear the word “let” thrown around in terms of pushing responsibility onto you. Whenever you are disrespected by a student, or in the case of the service industry, a customer, someone usually tells you “you can’t let them talk to you like that.”
In my experience, I’ve heard the word “let” used as advice from other educators or administrators. Whenever I had a problem in my classroom, it was about what I let my kids do. I let my kids get out of their seats. I let kids sit on a desk. I let kids be on their phones. I let kids be in class, not in uniform.
Whenever I “let” kids do something, it’s usually supposed to be a poor reflection of my own abilities as a teacher or in classroom management. Of course, I see the reason: I’m an adult, in charge of making children feel safe and get an education. “Let” is a way of making me responsible, or making me seek out a solution.
