Responsibility - Dormitory education - Articles about Education

The basic idea behind the dorm is good in theory:

Remove all disturbances, distractions, bothers, troubles, and issues from a young man's life so that he can concentrate on his studies.

From the school's or the Yeshiva's point of view, the system works. It assures the institution that the child will learns his Gemarah.

Does this concept help the child in the long run?

The child who studies in a dormitory learns that there is no reason care for property. Is there a problem? Just call in a plumber, a carpenter, or another repairman.

The child is not held responsible.

Responsibility would take away time
Responsibility mens educating a child in a non-curricular area
Responsibility means acting in loco parentis
Responsibility means teaching the child how to repair damage that he caused
Responsibility means admitting to wrongdoing
Responsibility means involving the parents
Responsibility means admitting that something wrong was done in school

Dormitory students return home without being educated about caring for property. The parents are so happy to see the children after an extended time away from home that they do not get involved in correcting any manifestations of the problem at home.

The need to care for property comes as a shock when the Yeshiva boy marries and lives on his own. They face two options:

They support themselves while continuing their studies
They are supported from an outside source

If they support themselves, then they suddenly face the need to maintain and repair their home. They often have no way of knowing how to do this, nor do they see a need for it.

This may lead to uncomfortable situations. The Yeshiva boy who now faces responsibilities becomes defensive and argumentative when he is criticized for damaging or breaking property. He does not understand the problem.

If they continue their studies, and they are supported by their families, then the prior situation continues. They still see no reason to care for their property.

This problem does not exist when children live at home. Children who do not live in dormitories learn the importance of caring for property.

Ultimately, the dormitory Yeshivas may not be doing their future graduates a favor. The Yeshivas solved their own problems and made it easier to teach the children. However, the next generation does not have the sensitivity, discipline, background, experience, knowledge, or skills to be able to deal with responsibilities in the real world.

Where do you want to go now?