DEVIANCY-PRONE BEHAVIOUR OF STUDENTS AND WHAT TEACHERS CAN DO ABOUT IT

Value scales of younger generation may differ from the ones with adults and their peers some 10-20 years ago. Constant streams of information flood our life through Internet and mass media and it cannot be stopped – new times bring new ideas about life-style, family, hobbies, etc. And they are often far from being traditional.

Youngsters like being different and eye-stopping, so their bravery of experimenting is quite frequent: bizarre hairstyles, extraordinary piercing, extravagant outfit… Freedom of choice in clothing and accessories enables them to choose among various images of themselves and achieve the main aim they usually long for – attention and surprise. Most of them are just hungry for a number of likes in social nets and regular message checking – feedback is vital, especially the one from groupmates or roomies.

Unfortunately, it might develop into a kind of addiction and push a young adult to deviancy - socially ruining behaviour. In our article we will consider the cases of possible deviant behaviour, highlight its triggers and focus on the teachers’ competent troubleshooting. We will also interview the younger generation about modern self-expression and social limits, extreme sports and routine, about their attitudes to studies and education in general.

Deviancy may not develop from underprivileged background only. It may easily develop from discipline violation, lack of punctuality and responsibility in terms of task fulfilling, rude attitude to people, etc.

Provocative student behaviour needs a balance - of positive examples, supportive adult attitude and rigid discipline meanwhile.

Deviant behaviour can become massive in case the group leader (both formal and informal) sticks to peculiar perception of social rules.
Teachers should have the knowledge about deviant behaviour and be capable of distinguishing between low-motivated student behaviour and real rule-breaking one.