Here are the heartbreaking psychological effects school lockdowns left on 4 million children last year
Every day, 16 schools around the U.S. undergo a lockdown. Nine of them stem from the threat of gun violence.
Most of these incidents end without incident, The Washington Post found in an extensive analysis published Wednesday. But they've left students texting love letters to their families and writing wills that include their PlayStations as they huddle in darkened classroom corners.
In a corner of MaKenzie Woody's Washington, D.C. classroom, there's a "taped-up list of phrases the kids were encouraged to say to each other" during a lockdown, the Post writes. They include "I like you, "you’re a rainbow," and "are you okay?" Woody is 6 years old and has "never heard of Parkland or Sandy Hook or Columbine," the Post writes. But she's still afraid of going outside for recess "because what if someone was shooting ... and everybody got hurt," she said.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In the 2017-18 school year, at least 4.1 million students underwent 6,200 lockdowns across the U.S., the Post's analysis of school district data and news stories found. One million of the affected students were in elementary school. And yet that number is probably low "because many school districts — including in Detroit and Chicago — do not track [lockdowns] and hundreds never make the news," the Post says.
The threats that spark these attacks are "often anonymous and seldom legitimate," the Post writes. Still, "experts who specialize in childhood trauma suspect that a meaningful percentage" of students will undergo psychological effects for years to come. Read the whole analysis at The Washington Post.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
What is cloud seeding and did it cause Dubai's severe rainfall?
The Explainer The future is flooded
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
American Airlines pilots are warning of a 'significant spike' in safety issues
In the Spotlight The pilot's union listed 'problematic trends' they say are affecting the airline's fleet
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
6 star-spangled presidential libraries to visit
The Week Recommends These institutions provide insight into American leaders
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published