Posted by Dr. Bob on December 23, 2006, at 15:59:39
In reply to Re: I am rare perhaps in that I am for blocking, posted by muffled on December 22, 2006, at 19:25:49
> I volunteer at a drop in center for street people. There are various issues, addiction, mental health etc. But these people ARE able for the most part to follow the rules of no dealing, fighting, using etc on the premises. If they are caught they are generally blocked for a day. If its pretty bad or an ongoing behavior, they will be blocked for a week. We recognize that the behaviors are not unexpected in the people we deal with. Mostly we just try to give them as much unconditional acceptance as is possible, and for that reason we block only if really necessaary. I have noted if we are too lenient, then behavior can start to go downhill in general, but with reprimand, it usu gets better very quickly. The point of all this is that the blocks ARE SHORT. We don't by any means wish to banish anyone from this place where they can connect, have coffe, mebbe a snack, and even a safe snooze. We are not about banishment , but about ACCEPTANCE. So blocks are definately a last resort. We will take the time to talk to them about their behaviors (if possible-often this is not possible at the time), or we can talk about it later. Treat them with dignity and respect.
Thanks for describing an alternative way of handling things. Certainly there are similarities between these two settings...
How do you decide whether to block for a day or a week? The limit is a week? So people can do something pretty bad every week if they want? Do it, be blocked, come back and do it again, be blocked again, etc.?
> The long, arbitrary blocks here on babble I think do not foster a sense of unconditional acceptance.
Well, it may not be politically correct, but acceptance here isn't unconditional. If acceptance = being able to post.
> There is not enough chance for apologies and discussions about the blocks.
There may not be at the time, but there is later. Like at your center?
> i don't get the feeling that the owner of the site is to be convinced to beleive any but his own views.
And the people at your center feel it's easy to change the policies there?
Bob
poster:Dr. Bob
thread:715306
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20061202/msgs/715987.html