Week 7 - Emily Luc

Emily Luc
Section A03
Week 7

The Atlantic article "How Trigger Warnings Are Hurting Mental Health on Campuses" sheds light on the widely discussed topics of trigger warnings, micro-aggressions, and safe spaces on college campuses. The article makes the claim that these are all forms of "coddling" grown college students and only serves to disrupt students from learning about the "real world" and achieving their full potential in the context of higher education. The author argues that catering to people's comfort in an attempt to remain politically correct can lead to adverse effects within the educational system, including the diminishing of critical thinking skills among college students.

Personally, I believe that providing trigger warnings and safe spaces for students should not be considered benefits, but instead necessities. However, this can only be done to an extent because others' freedom of speech and expression should not be violated in the process. It would be optimal if an equilibrium could be achieved between accommodating students who truly need trigger warnings and safe spaces in order to engage with certain materials, while also encouraging students to expand their minds and use critical thinking when exposed to controversial topics and situations. I understand that "coddling" students by providing them with such accommodations can be dangerous because it prevents them from learning how to deal with the "real world"—where they will not be so shielded—college campuses should still be kept safe and should not subject their students to materials they do not wish to be exposed to.

Question: Are accommodations such as trigger warnings and safe spaces being appropriated by the majority of the population who do not suffer from mental health disorders?



References:

Lukianoff, G., & Haidt, J. (2015). The Coddling of the Asian American Mind. The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company. Retrieved November 5, 2017.

Safe Space [Cartoon]. (2015, November 12). Retrieved November 5, 2017, from https://www.theodysseyonline.com/what-to-find-in-college-safe-space.