The Fight
Many schools, including the one in which Miss Mahoney teaches, provide character education in an attempt to reduce problem behaviours. The hope is that by promoting empathy, and by disallowing behaviours such as teasing, name-calling, and threats, the number of violent incidences will decrease. Miss Mahoney has included character education as part of her Grade 5 program. Unfortunately, many of her students, particularly the boys, continue to exhibit the very behaviours she is trying to eliminate.
Ivan and Jacques are on the same soccer team and often get into verbal conflicts with each other, although they appreciate each other’s talents on the field. Tuesday night at practice, in violation of the team’s rules, Jacques told Ivan that he “sucked.” Ivan let the comments pass. He did not want Jacques to suffer a one-game suspension, as they were facing a tough opponent that weekend.
Thursday in class, Jacques accused Ivan of stealing his playing cards. Ivan became angry and denied stealing them. He then found them on the floor and handed them to Jacques. “Here’s your dumb cards, Jacques,” he said. “See, I didn’t steal them.”
In anger, Jacques responded, “Fine. Then how come they’re all crinkled? You know, I could beat you up—and maybe I just will.”
“Yeah, right. You and who else?” asked Ivan with a sneer.
Two other boys working nearby overheard the altercation and began to egg the boys on:
“Yeah, Jacques, Ivan could kick your butt,” said Grant.
“I think Jacques would win,” said Peter.
“Meet me at the park tomorrow after school and let’s just see!” demanded Jacques.
“No problem,” retorted Ivan.
Thursday evening they were both at soccer practice. Nothing was said about the fight that was to take place the next day after school.
Friday morning, Jacques’s mother called Miss Mahoney to tell her that Jacques was afraid to go to school because Ivan had threatened to “beat him up.” Jacques’s mother also informed the principal about the situation. However, she didn’t know why the threat had been issued and expressed little interest in learning the reason. She wanted her son protected and the other boy punished. That morning Ivan’s mother was in the school for another purpose. The principal stopped her to talk about the situation, telling her that Jacques had told his mother he was afraid to come to school because Ivan was going to harm him. Ivan’s mother asked for more information and asked that Miss Mahoney and the principal talk to both of the boys and any other children involved.
The story that emerged is the one that you just read. Miss Mahoney and the principal decided that Ivan should serve an in-school suspension the following day and miss recess for the remainder of the week. Jacques received no punishment and walked away from the meeting grinning.

1		What are the issues in this case and how might they affect each boy’s attitude toward school?
2		At what stage of moral development would you expect these boys to be functioning? What predictions can you make regarding each boy’s sense of self and emotional development?
3		Were Grant and Peter merely bystanders or did they contribute to the situation? What could they have done to help resolve the situation?
4		What do you think about the punishment that Ivan received? How would you have handled this situation?