Schools - educating about Problem Gambling

Contents

Modern schools - educating to prevent addictive behaviours

Modern schools are increasingly extending their curricula beyond the strict science and humanities curricula laid down by government agencies. For a variety of reasons they are increasingly teaching life skills.

It is probable that all schools in developed western countries now include curriculum materials designed to inform and protect students against the hazards to health and lifestyle posed by alcohol, illicit drugs and tobacco.

Schools are increasingly becoming aware that problem gambling is a serious addictive behaviour which they must address.

Problem gambling and the schools' dilemma

This raises the issue of what to teach. Schools need to avoid coming into conflict with parents who have a wide range of views on gambling's social costs and benefits. In all but the most strict religious schools, there will be a divergence of views on gambling held by the parents.

"Pro-gambling" parents will feel that by introducing children to gambling they are introducing them to life skills such as risk taking, accepting reverses, money management and bluffing.

Further, parents who gamble will not want the school teaching their children that they, the parents, are indulging in deviant behaviour. Many other parents may earn their living from the gambling industry or hold shares in gambling corporations.

"Anti-gambling parents" will object on religious and moral grounds to their children learning how to gamble and even if this is not the case right now, problem gambling will become an increasingly contentious issue in our society if the social problems generated by the growth of the gambling industry continue to escalate. These parents' objections will extend to lessons on "responsible gambling" as they will not want the school normalising what they consider to be a morally inappropriate activity.

Avoiding the dilemma

Know the Odds Inc (KTO) has developed an approach by which schools may discharge their obligations to their students whilst at the same time avoiding any conflict. Know the Odds materials have been equally welcomed at schools ranging from Roman Catholic schools through to fundamentalist Christian schools. Significantly, the students themselves are most appreciative of the materials because they have a knowledge that gambling can cause harm but have never had the risk explained to them.

KTO's approach is to target problem gambling as a health issue and educate students to give them the necessary information to empower them to protect themselves against the harmful effects of problem gambling. Students are taught about the nature of gambling, not how to gamble. The materials are gambling neutral and avoid normalising gambling by teaching "responsible gambling". The materials represent the distilled essence of what students need to know in order to preserve their quality of life - compressed into two 45-minute sessions.

The two risks posed to students by problem gambling

The hazards posed to students are of two types: Accordingly, education is directed at:

What materials are currently available from Know the Odds Inc

KTO has produced a kit called the "Problem Gambling Today - You Figure It Out" kit which comprises video/notes/software and exercise materials - see Problem Gambling Today - You Figure It Out.

Further details may be obtained from Know the Odds Inc
Go back to Know the Odds Inc home page

Created: 10 July 2000
Last Modified: 7 December 2001
Author/Maintainer: Know the Odds Inc- e-mail address: knowodds@knowodds.org
Internet address: http://www.knowodds.org