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The subject of this paper is the workplace as a group setting and, more specifically, managing the induced feelings that arise in a work situation. The work setting that I will discuss is a New York City alternative public school where, for the last two years, I've been leading groups for the students.
These are students who, for one reason or another, were not able to produced at a successful rate in one of the traditional high schools, and either chose to come to this school or were referred by guidance counselors, truant officers or other personnel. Some were referred by the court system. For all these students, this is the last opportunity to complete the requirements for a high school diploma within the public schools.
The reasons these students could not function in a more traditional setting are many. Almost all are members of minority groups and are economically deprived. Many of the girls have been pregnant. Some have kept the baies, some have had miscarriages, some have had abortions.
These students come from families with deep pathologies. Most live with their grandmothers. One or both parents may be dead or unknown to them. Many parents have serious physical illnesses. In the last two months I've had at least six students who reported that a relative was in the hospital.
There is an intense level of personal violence surrounding many of the students. One whom I will discuss lives with her aunt