Problem:
After watching both, Educating Peter and Graduating Peter, it was shocking to see the outcome. Full inclusion was a failure in my eyes. Peter was too young to already be diagnosed and treated for depression so I would consider that failing because he didn't deserve that. In Educating Peter, he was in the 3rd grade so the classroom was definitely more unified and students cared to help and engage with Peter. However, by the 6th grade, Peter turned out to be very isolated and ultimately depressed. Judy, Peter's mother and father both seemed to have been trying very hard to be in the "acceptance" stage of the grief cycle mentioned in chapter 4. His parents had set their goals for Peter and advocated for his independence a lot. I understand every parent wants their child to eventually grow out of dependency but Peter just needed a little support. Personally I can never appreciate a parent that doesn't really want to be a parent when it comes to the hard stuff. At one point in the film his mother says, "We've done all this and Pete is still very much disabled. We have to keep doing this for more than 18 years... maybe for the rest of our lives." Like, okay???Yes ma'am, and he will in fact, always be disabled. However, that is your child, and that will never stop being your child. Peter was never going to be "fixed" or "normal". He was the way he was. For his mom to basically complain about having to be his mom for the rest of his DISABLED life mind you, just doesn't sit right with me. He was still a child nonetheless, and to be having his academic classes cut short to go learn cleaning jobs was unnecessary as it could have most definitely waited until after high school. There are many different ways to learn life skills as a child without labor. I kept wondering throughout the film as to why his parents never bothered putting him in a sport or club orientated activity if they knew he felt best around peers. I was so glad to see he was finally apart of something and even managing the boys varsity soccer club. It was nice to see Peter found a community and was able to graduate. Need Assignment Help?
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Marielos Tenes Navarro
Reply from Marielos Tenes Navarro
After watching Graduating Peter, it did not turn out exactly the way I expected after seeing Educating Peter. I thought Peter might become more independent socially, but the film showed that he still struggled with communication, loneliness, and behavior at times. However, I still think full inclusion had some success because it helped Peter learn social skills and experience school life with other students. The documentary shows that Peter had Down syndrome and needed support, but being around peers and participating in activities helped him grow and graduate with his class. Peter was also taught practical life skills like sweeping and washing, which I think was important because those skills can help him become more independent and prepare him for future jobs.
I also noticed that Peter's mom showed behaviors that many families go through when raising a child with a disability. She seemed very determined and protective, and she worked hard to make sure Peter had opportunities and support in school. At times she also seemed worried about his future, which is understandable for many parents. Overall, the film made me feel both hopeful and emotional because Peter faced many challenges, but he still made progress and graduated.
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