Some people can power trip on a thimble of power. A shit ton of people who sign up for utterly thankless and underpaid positions working with children do it for that exact reason, because no one views that kind of behaviour as petty or power tripping when all of the victims are children, because Western society views all children as property and people's property rights as sacrosanct, so at worst treating children who aren't yours in outrageously horrible ways is handled as a property crime against the parents, and anything less than that is viewed as morally debatable but generally your right and prerogative as the responsible adult immediately in charge and physical control of those children in that time and place.

If you want to see this level of "drunk on a thimble of power" in the real world, volunteer for something at an elementary school or community program for kids and watch how the other adults organizing things act towards the children.

No one ever believed me that the school staff almost all tended to get drunk on power when alone with kids and like minded coworkers. Until they'd lose control and treat a parent at a school event the way they treated us behind closed doors. "Mum, why are you going nuts? That's just how Mrs. Davis always is. You told me she doesn't sound all that bad." Yes, I had to use that line multiple times per school year after poking the worst of these types until they'd treat my mum how they treated me when she wasn't there.

I am not surprised these people will also power trip on running a forum. Happens in Facebook groups and small independent forum sites too. Anonymity of the Internet provides them that same effect of being able to power trip over people who can't do anything to retaliate or resist.

[–] Flaps@hexbear.net 11 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 children)

Idk where you live but as a teacher, i havent expierenced anything like that. Few bad ones when i went to school myself, sure. This was back in the 90s and nillies. The few bad teachers we had now in my school, you know, the tyrannical kind, dont last more than two months so from my lived expierience, idk what youre on about.

Also, in the west teachers are shat on in general so you understand your comment leaves a bad taste in my mouth

[–] alexei_1917@hexbear.net 11 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

The combination of special needs programs in cultural and religious contexts where those children in particular are considered worth a great deal less than "normal" children, and generally not believed at face value when they complain about nasty or mean or dangerous adults to the level that abled children are, and Catholic schools and all the institutional and cultural baggage surrounding them, is a hell of a doozy. I don't think any people in power I was forced to shut up and endure could have lasted as long as they did working outside special needs or outside church schools.

[–] Sphere@hexbear.net 7 points 2 months ago (1 children)

As someone who experienced "special ed," I just want to say that you're wrong, and your instinct to become defensive is exactly the attitude that enables the people at issue here.

[–] blunder@hexbear.net 5 points 2 months ago (1 children)

How can his personal experience be wrong? It may be a blissfully ignorant one that can be rebutted but I doubt he is lying

[–] Sphere@hexbear.net 3 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I misread the comment as saying that "the few bad teachers...don't last more than two months" (I missed the "at my school" bit of that sentence). But it's easy to think it isn't happening when the only witnesses are the "problem children" who, by default, are typically not taken seriously when they complain about adults.

[–] blunder@hexbear.net 3 points 2 months ago

Yes, unfortunately all too true.