By Jennifer Gomez
WAS it a coincidence that a teacher who verbally abused her students and a doctor who slapped a patient were of a different race from their victims? Or is race the fundamental issue here? A third possibility could be that the `rat race’ has led
anger levels to go out of control. JENNIFER GOMEZ examines the issue.
BLAME it on stress.
That’s what two mental health experts feel caused the incidents, involving a doctor and a teacher.
Clinical psychologist Urmilah Dass said stress and personal problems could have led to the teacher verbally abusing the students in Klang and the University Malaya Medical Centre doctor slapping her patient.
“We are (however) reacting to racial connotations, which we shouldn’t.
“For the students who were verbally abused, telling them the reason the teacher acted that way towards them was because they are Indians will leave a negative impression.
“They will grow up thinking this way and the racial issue will be carried on into the future.”
She said a child’s support system, which included teachers, parents and relatives, should play down the issue of racism.
Dass added that it was impossible to say for sure what prompted the teacher to hurl the abuses but stress and personal problems might have been factors.
She said it was important for teachers to have a certain level of psychological fitness. This had to be inculcated during their training in college.
“Children and adolescents are going through many developmental changes in their lives. As such, there can be behavioural issues.
“If stressful situations with youngsters occur, a teacher should be able to address them with a clear mind.”
Dass added that if a teacher was short-tempered and picky by nature, maybe he or she should re-evaluate his career decision or seek help to counter these traits.
As for the doctor who slapped the patient, Dass said that stress, lack of sleep and improper nutrition could be possible reasons for a professional to lose her cool like that.
“In government hospitals, doctors work long hours and they often lack sleep.
“This is why it is important for government servants to attend retreats and training sessions every now and then, to revive themselves so they are psychologically healthier and do not do something they may regret when they get angry,” she added.
Damansara Specialist Hospital consultant child and family psychiatrist Dr Kasmini Kassim said the rat race was prompting people to lose their temper.
She also felt that the situations quoted above had nothing to do with race.
“Getting angry is human nature. A person’s level of patience and tolerance is eroding given the rat race climate now.
“People are just working too hard and it’s getting to them.”
She said parents often went home and took out the anger they felt towards their bosses on their children.
Kasmini’s solution therefore has to do with a big pile of newspapers.
“Walk away from trouble, go find a big heap of newspapers and tear it all up. I advise a lot of my patients to do this.
“And when you come back to the person who was annoying you, you will be calmer and able to discuss matters.”
She said taking a break did not include going for a drive or kicking a door.
“These actions could hurt you. So, the soft pile of newspapers is the best option.”
Consultant psychologist Valerie Jaques said the question was what gave the teacher the confidence to speak in a derogatory manner to her students.
“This teacher obviously felt she had some power to do this.”
Jaques said a possible reason for this feeling of power could be derived from the fact that political parties in Malaysia were race- based.
She said a possible solution included putting in place proper disciplinary procedures for government servants and for punishment to be meted out in a transparent manner.
“In this teacher’s case, instead of just being slapped on the wrist with a transfer, she should be investigated and evaluated.
“But here, there is no disciplinary action because although she is transferred, she still gets her salary, her bonuses and so on.
“And she could go on to do the same thing at the next school.”
(c) 2008 New Straits Times. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.
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