Teenagers Stand Alone as Adults Relinquish Their Positions, According to Cynthia Guitíerrez and Claudia Tempone

Teenagers Stand Alone as Adults Relinquish Their Positions, According to Cynthia Guitíerrez and Claudia Tempone

Challenging the Educational Landscape: A Hard-Hitting Conversation on Today's School Struggles

In the bustling Ticmas auditorium during the International Book Fair 2025, Cynthia Gutiérrez and Claudia Tempone sparked heated yet hopeful discussion about the hardships the educational community confronts: conflict management, adolescent isolation, and the influence of technology on human connections. The talk revolved around the ripples left by the series Adolescence, a provocative topic that, as both agreed, "pushes parents, teachers, and responsible adults" to their limits.

Cynthia Gutiérrez, with her double background in pedagogy and law, shed light on the need for a systematic response to every school conflict: "Each institution will inevitably face conflicts – it's how we deal with them that matters." Using her experience as an advisor to a congregation with schools across various provinces and countries, she outlined a three-phase method: calm, active observation, and proactive action. The first phase involves not reacting impulsively. The second, making a quick diagnosis: the origin, those involved, and the conflict's scale. The third, implementing strategies while keeping the roles of each actor within the institution in mind.

Emphasizing the importance of clearly defining responsibilities, she stated, "It's not just about resolution – it's about preventing escalation."

Don Bosco's Timeless Wisdom

Claudia Tempone, the legal representative of the María Auxiliadora College and a psychologist, offered historical insights on her congregation's work with vulnerable populations in La Boca for over 140 years. Inspired by Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello, they've endeavored to address the needs of the community, implementing Don Bosco's preventive system. This method centers on faith, reason, and gentle care. "By simply walking the courtyard, saying a just word, or being present when needed," she explained, "we aim to intervene even when conflicts have already escalated."

The Silent Epidemic: Adolescent Loneliness

One of the most prevalent conflicts that both authorities noticed arises from outside, through networks and messaging platforms: "WhatsApp groups introduce conflict into the institution," said Gutiérrez with a warning. It's the directors and teachers who are expected to handle these conflicts to prevent further escalation. "You can't afford to look the other way," she stressed. In such cases, the strategy is once again grounded in an attentive eye, the definition of roles, and the creation of institution-specific protocols.

Tempone was blunt in discussing what she considers the major crisis of this era: "Today's youngsters are abandoned. Adults have abdicated their role. They don't set boundaries. They have nobody to turn to." She shared an example of a soccer group in a nearby park, exposed to drug trafficking, who were supported by Tempone and her colleagues. "Today, that safe space still operates every Saturday."

For her, it's not about offering perfect solutions, but about being there. "Maybe we can't solve their problems, but we can listen to them, understand them, accompany them".

Empowering Teachers and Families

Both experts agree that training teachers and working closely with families are crucial aspects. Gutiérrez explained that training starts with leadership teams, teaching them to adapt guides and protocols. Then, they move on to teachers, engaging them in practical exercises that emphasize roles, active observation, and document drafting.

As for families, there's also innovation. "We train fathers as references for situations like evacuations. Remarkably, they respond," said Gutiérrez. Temone supported this idea: "We try to accompany. If a family faces issues, we visit them, offer support, and even help with food and clothing."

A Radiant Adolescence: Breaking the Stereotype

Both educators took note of the series Adolescence, displayed onscreen during the chat. Tempone admitted that it deeply touched her, emotionally: "I saw the pain and loneliness. It had a significant impact on me, both as a director and a mother." Gutiérrez, on the other hand, criticized the series for not providing viable solutions, reinforcing their efforts to display adolescence as a vibrant, interconnected stage: "We want teenagers to recognize the potential for generating genuine connections."

She pointed to online video games and virtual communication as factors that undermine face-to-face relationships. "We must teach them to meet each other's eyes once more," she said. She also emphasized the need to reconsider communication with parents: "Many parents still shout without knowing what they're saying. We need to teach them to connect better too."

As the Architects of Tomorrow, Shaping Society TodayThinking about education as a catalyst for societal change, the YMCA convened in the Ticmas auditorium again. With a different perspective on adolescence, Luciano Lutereau encouraged the need for new consensus scenarios.

Photos courtesy of Ticmas

1. The French term 'amorevolezza' encapsulates the gentle care advocated by Don Bosco and Mother Mazzarello, utilised by educators in their interaction with vulnerable students.
2. The lack of connection among teenagers, aggravated by online video games and virtual communication, is a concern that needs addressing, according to Cynthia Gutiérrez.
3. Financial institutions and businesses can invest in education-and-self-development, supporting initiatives that foster personal-growth among future leaders.
4. Claudia Tempone, a renowned psychologist, emphasized the importance of remedying adolescent loneliness, stating that it has become a major crisis of the current era.
5. Health-and-wellness programs tailored for schools can help students manage their mental-health issues and foster an environment conducive to learning.
6. Career workshops and networking events for students can provide valuable insights into various professions and help shape their business and finance prospects.
7. In the educational landscape, collaborative efforts between school educators, families, and the broader community are essential in resolving conflicts, preventing escalation, and promoting a brighter future through quality education.

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