Mr. (Fred) Teeboom’s statement that “Choose Love,” the social-emotional learning system that fosters a sense of respect and tolerance among students is “a deliberate program to feminize boys,” is ridiculous. What his words reflect is a knee-jerk reaction to an old-fashioned belief that boys cannot be both caring and male. The two are not mutually exclusive as many men demonstrate every day. But more is needed.

Given the fact that the overwhelming number of mass shooters are men, such a program is sorely needed in our schools. Working with all children from a young age, focusing on their mental health and their social responsibilities, may help in a small way to reduce some of the violence in our society. It certainly can’t hurt.

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