I'm "forced" to use a bad show for a project

[Tayo]

I just got a project for school where I and 4 other people have to watch an episode of a TV series of our choice. Well, I don't have many friends, so I got stuck with whoever was left. These s are nice and all, but they want to do a show I'm not comfortable with. I basically HAVE to do watch it and do my part of project on it. Even my teacher said so, because otherwise I get a back grade. I don't know what I should do. Please help me! I need an answer before tomorrow... Thank you!

[Dr T]

It seems like there ought to be an alternative to the work for religious reasons. I'd try there.

[Bini]

I don't know what TV series you're referring to but regardless different people find different things offensive. Have you explained to your teacher why you're uncomfortable doing a project on this specific show? I can't imagine the school "forcing" you to participate in something that goes against your beliefs and faith. Of course, anymore I'm surprised at what students and some teachers get away with these days.. When I was in school I remember doing supposed scientific experiments on cow eyeballs. It was a required class and project BUT some students were excused, specifically, my Hindu classmates :]

[Just_A_Guy]

Could you do some portion of the project that doesn't require actually watching the show? E.g., writing up the final report from notes made by others, or doing the art project based on the instructions of the other three, or make up a list of discussion questions, or something like that?

[candyprpl]

Stick to your standards and take the great advice of all those who have posted!

If your teacher won't listen to you, I'm sure your parents would step in and support you.

[Vort]

It's not legal for a public school to force you to watch a TV show that violates your standards. Stick to your guns.

But understand that the school may do so, anyway, legal or not. Unless you are willing to follow up with legal action, if necessary, you may get a low grade in this project. That seems unlikely, but possible. If it happens, it will be unfair, but it may be quite expensive for you to do anything about it.

But stick to your guns anyway.

[Dr T]

It's not legal for a public school to force you to watch a TV show that violates your standards. Stick to your guns.

...

But stick to your guns anyway.

Those don't mean take a gun to school though. Just so you know.

[Gretchen]

I'd try to get people to back you up. Principal, perhaps? Or district authority?

They (the schools) don't force Jewish people to eat bacon, so why should they force you to watch something that goes against your religion?

Just my two cents.

[WmLee]

Two of my kids have been in the same situation. They have explained they find the show or book offensive and in bad taste and they have requested an alternative assignment or group. One teacher excused my son but instructed him to pick another book and write the same report on his own. He chose the Book of Mormon, (he had been reading anyway) finished it and wrote his report. That opened another can or worms, but he made his point and the school administration backed him.

Good luck and stick by your standards!

[Gwen]

i'd take it to the principle or guidance counselor if the teacher won't listen... they can't fail you for not violating your standards... the group can pick a different show.

[SeattleTruthSeeker]

Out of Curiosity? What show are you talking about? Maybe this will help provide a more sound and objective and coherent response on how you can go about getting this accomplished.

[Soul_Searcher]

I was goin to ask that too Seattle. Ive had tp read books for school before that my parents wouldnt have thought appropriate. However, in the grand scheme of life and the eternities it was not really a big deal for me. My hubby works on a building site and hears worse things that I ever could have read in that book. Is he not supposed to work? I think if you feel you should stick to your standards of course you should, but sometimes I think we as members have a tendency to overreact. If it was a reativelty small thing, like a half hour show, I'd probably just suck it up. Just my opinion, not saying thats what you should do. But the problems I would have caused if I had spoke out about a book with one or two swear words in would likely have ostracised me from my classmates as an entire new book would have had to have been chosen, just for me, and I dont think that would have been fair. I was bullied at school as it was and this would have made my life an utter misery. Im sure God understood and was happy with my decision, and so was I.

[Guest Alana]

I've not watched lots of shows and books for school because I wasn't comfortable with them. When it came to group things, I opted to do the project myself with my own standards. Yes, it was more work, but it worked out in the end. Stick to your standards! Your integrity is worth more than one show. Of course there are the legal logistics of this situation, but sometimes making a big stir is more trouble than it's worth, quietly sticking to your standards may raise your teachers eye brow and possibly lower your grade, but you'll feel good about it.

I'm hoping that if you go back to your teacher and tell her that you still aren't comfortable watching that show and that you'll do your own project (or can you add on to an other group?) she might be surprised by your integrity.

Stick to your standards, it's worth it to find a way.

[Jamie123]

You don't have to agree with the values expressed in this show in order to write about it. How about using this as an opportunity to express your beliefs? In your report explain why you think the show (whatever it is) is "bad".

[Generally_Me]

I'm curious as to what show it is and why you find it offensive; what kind of class MAKES people watch TV for Pete's sake, you could do a report that states it was a waste of time and offensive to your standards. Lots of good advice here already.

[Guest Alana]

I remember we had to watch a war movie from a list of about a dozen movies. Every single one of them was rated R. Luckily for me, when I went home that day worried about how I was even going to pay to rent a movie I saw that Platoon was on TV, and was edited for TV...

As far as books, some of them are very vulgar and I would not recommend them to my kids when they get older. Sorry, I'm just not a Steinbeck fan.

[Maya]

I probably would watch it and give my report and strip the show and tell them what is wrong in it. I would tell them how it could have been made diferently and it had been a better show.

[Bini]

I'm curious as to what show it is and why you find it offensive; what kind of class MAKES people watch TV for Pete's sake, you could do a report that states it was a waste of time and offensive to your standards. Lots of good advice here already.

Maybe a "film study" type course? Only, instead of "films" they're required to watch "TV series"? I took a film study class in high school and we watched all kinds of movies. Many of the students did choose rated R movies for group projects but for those that were opposed to it weren't forced to participate or watch it.

Anyway to the OP, if your teacher is still giving you a hard time over this, I like the advice that suggests you getting your parents involved or even a guidance counselor to step in. Good luck :]

[Moksha]

An astute teacher looks through the report of a project onto the components of the project. Hopefully your teacher will look to your component.

[Vort]

Hopefully your teacher will look to your component.

In many school districts, this is grounds for termination.

[Moksha]

In many school districts, this is grounds for termination.

:lol: good one!

[Tayo]

Thanks for all of your suggestions! Well, it's not as bad as a rated R movie, but I'm just so upset as to why society is so corrupted nowadays. All these teens like to watch are shows that are more "mature", but I think the definition of "mature" has been horribly altered over a long period of time. I couldn't really suggest a show I liked because I don't really watch TV series, I just like to watch younger more appropriate shows. Anyway, I'll see if I can make it through this project a live. Thanks again though!

[SeattleTruthSeeker]

Thanks for all of your suggestions! Well, it's not as bad as a rated R movie, but I'm just so upset as to why society is so corrupted nowadays. All these teens like to watch are shows that are more "mature", but I think the definition of "mature" has been horribly altered over a long period of time. I couldn't really suggest a show I liked because I don't really watch TV series, I just like to watch younger more appropriate shows. Anyway, I'll see if I can make it through this project a live. Thanks again though!

You never answered the question:

What is the show that your team chose that you feel is offensive. Title of the Show, Channel it is on, and why you find this offensive.

[Vort]

:lol: good one!

Thank heavens someone laughs at my jokes.

Have you been talking to my wife? She's usually the only one who laughs. Well, she and my 14-year-old.

[Generally_Me]

You never answered the question:

What is the show that your team chose that you feel is offensive. Title of the Show, Channel it is on, and why you find this offensive.

Maybe Tayo is afraid we weill tell him/her it is not an offensive show.

Tayo, there are incredible numbers of TV shows that I do not watch and even more I will not let my daughter watch (lol). There are people who feel that 'immature' shows like Dora and Spongebob are innapropriate. If you will name the show and why you feel it's offensive, we may be able to help you with your phraseology so you can approach the teacher and/or add it into your project. If you want to take a stand, and it's a 'bad' show, we WILL help you.