An Opportunity to Discuss Survival

The disaster on the Gulf Coast left by Hurricane Katrina is a good opportunity for you to discuss the American spirit with your teenagers. We must all do whatever we can to help those who are in desperate need. This could be the largest disaster in American history. Some people will never be able to return to their homes. Other families will be out of their homes for months, if not years. The entire city of New Orleans will have to be rebuilt, schools, hospitals, and all public services. But that is what we do in America; we rebuild and go on. We do not give up; we do not quit. We help those who need help. Use this opportunity to show young people the whole picture, the good, the bad and the ugly. Good people are trying to help others. The conditions are bad – even terrible, and the ugly side of any disaster is shown when people are looting or price gouging. This can show teens that breaking up with their boyfriend or girlfriend is not the end of the world. Making an F in English is not the worst thing that can happen to them. People can lose everything, absolutely everything, and pick up and go on. Most will go on, rebuild, and make things better than they were before. That is the American way.