Summary Of In Praise Of The F Word By Mary Sherry

In her article, “In Praise of the F Word”, Mary Sherry (1991) argues that we must re-examine the threat of flunking students and view it as a positive exhortation tool. Sherry initially believed less than adequate education was received by students due to several unpleasant experiences while they were in school such as drug addiction and excessive partying. Later, she concluded that the nature of the student’s problems was the lack of healthy fear brought upon by the threat of being flunked. Sherry expressed that by teachers passing students not for academic performance, but for being a good person, they have removed the healthy fear needed as motivation for them to accomplish their academic goals.
Sherry supports her argument by citing several comments from her students such as “I should have been held back” (Sherry, p. 560) and “I don’t know how I ever got a high-school diploma” (Sherry, p. 560). Furthermore, she expressed that these comments are a result of students and employers being cheated by teachers who have passed students without making sure they have mastered basic skills
559). Fear based motivation will produce rejection fearing adults. A student’s motivation would be based upon the fear of failing if they do not accomplish things. Hurt and disappoint will be their primary drive. Threatening students can do more harm than good and can halt their character growth without the guarantee that it will be effective at consistently motivating them. That is why failing students should not be used as a threat, but an implied consequence. A good example of proper motivation from a teacher would be telling a student “I want you to pass this course, but for that to happen, I need you to do your part and put in the extra