All Pro Dad Podcast — Episode Summary

Episode Details

• Title: Why Is Student Behavior Getting Worse?
• Date: March 16, 2026
• Host: Ted Lowe
• Guests: Bobby Lewis, BJ Foster

Overview

This episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast tackles the increasingly concerning issue of worsening student behavior in schools. The hosts, all seasoned dads, dig into first-hand stories, data, expert opinions, and actionable solutions for fathers. The discussion explores root causes such as anxiety, post-pandemic trauma, lack of discipline, and adult disengagement, and emphasizes the essential role dads can play in supporting their children, teachers, and schools.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Personal School Trouble Stories & Setting the Stage

• [00:00–04:13]
  • The hosts share lighthearted stories about the worst trouble they got into at school, setting an honest and relatable tone.
  • BJ recalls faking fights in the hallway, which inadvertently caused a campus-wide panic:

    “We just started a riot in the back parking lot.” – BJ [03:57]

  • Ted shares about being the class clown with undiagnosed ADHD and how it affected his school life.

2. The Alarming Surge in Student Misbehavior

• [04:13–09:01]
  • Recent Data: A study by Education Week Research Center found that 72% of educators believe students are misbehaving more since 2019.
  • Teachers are reporting students as “louder, more belligerent, unkind, and socially awkward.”

    “There’s just a baseline level of disrespect for authority that did not exist in maybe a generation prior.” – Bobby, quoting his mom [08:25]

  • Veteran teachers, many with 30+ years in the classroom, are considering early retirement due to changing student behavior.

3. Root Causes: Why Student Behavior Is Deteriorating

• [09:01–15:37]
  • Anxiety & Mental Health: The pandemic significantly amplified baseline levels of anxiety in students, already exacerbated by social media, polarization, school shootings, and overall instability.

    “All of that pent up aggression, energy, it has to work its way out.” – BJ [10:30]

  • Lingering Trauma: The hosts discuss how trauma, left unaddressed, becomes a lasting influence rather than merely a temporary one.

    “When you have a wound that hasn’t healed, when there hasn’t been an answer to any of this stuff, then trauma will last a long time unless you open it up and...experience healing.” – BJ [13:18]

  • Systemic Adult Disengagement: Many kids feel abandoned by adults whose priorities are elsewhere (test scores, competitive sports, etc.), leading to distrust and disrespect.

    “Everything has become adult centric...It makes kids not trust adults.” – BJ [14:15]

  • Social Regression: Remote schooling during the pandemic left students socially behind, especially noticeable for underclassmen.

4. The Crucial Role of Dads

• [16:17–19:19]
  • Father Involvement: Research strongly correlates positive dad involvement with better academic achievement, emotional security, and overall well-being.

    “It’s always better for kids to have Dad involved. Always at home, at school...Dad’s involvement is up and to the right.” – Bobby [16:47]

  • Setting Standards: Dads are instrumental in setting expectations for discipline and respect, both at home and in school.

    “You're not going to misbehave at school, you're going to show respect to your teachers...There would be consequences if we didn't.” – Bobby [18:57]

  • Being Present: Even small actions like showing up for school lunches or events can send powerful signals to kids.

5. Action Steps for Dads

• [19:19–26:20]
  • Engagement: Get involved at your child’s school—attend events, communicate with teachers, participate in programs like All Pro Dad chapters.
  • Addressing Anxiety: Help kids process feelings and fears through empathy, attentive listening, and open dialogue.

    “One of the most important things that this generation really needs is hope and optimism, which they just have lost.” – BJ [21:48] “Are you stressed out? Are you sad? Are you embarrassed?...And then teaching them coping skills.” – Ted [22:10]

  • Provide Coping Strategies: Teach practical tools like deep breathing and healthy emotional processing.
  • Relieve Stress Away from School: Create outlets for stress—sports, outdoor activities, play, family board games, and especially roughhousing, which builds emotional intelligence.

    “When you rough house...you're actually teaching them emotional intelligence. They're learning how to get excited and then calm down.” – Ted [24:44]

  • Model Joy and Mischief: Be playful; even “mischief” can become a healthy tool for connection and emotional growth.

    “Line the entire room with mattresses and throw sleeping bags over your kids’ heads and have them wrestle each other.” – BJ [25:46]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Teachers’ Frustration:
  “I used to worry about a couple kids here and there...Now it's the opposite. I worry about most of the kids.” – BJ [06:30]
• On Lingering Effects of COVID:
  “How long does that anxiety...linger? Because you’re talking years and years have gone by at this point.” – Bobby [12:04]
• On Adult Abandonment:
  “It makes kids not trust adults. So then...they’re going to get the disrespect that I have for them because that’s the way that they’re treating me.” – BJ [14:33]
• On Positive Father Involvement:
  “Dad’s involvement is up and to the right for kids. You are helping them in every way.” – Bobby [16:55]
• On Play and Emotional Intelligence:
  “Science says it’s doing something much bigger. When you rough house...you're actually teaching them emotional intelligence.” – Ted [24:39]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Opening and School Trouble Stories: 00:00–04:13
• The Data on Rising Student Misbehavior: 04:13–09:01
• Examining the Causes – Mental Health, Trauma, and Adult Disengagement: 09:01–15:37
• Dads’ Impact: Research and Practical Suggestions: 16:17–19:19
• How Dads Can Help: Actionable Strategies: 19:19–26:20
• Play, Mischief, & Emotional Growth: 24:34–26:26
• Summary of Pro Moves (Final Tips): 26:29–End

Summary of Action Steps ("Pro Moves")

1. Talk to Your Kids About Anxiety:
   Listen empathically, acknowledge their feelings, and offer hope.
2. Teach and Model Coping Skills:
   Deep breathing, physical activity, and open dialogue.
3. Do Something Fun and Stress-Relieving:
   Wrestle, play sports, have game nights, be intentionally playful.
4. Engage with School Communities:
   Check out—or start—an All Pro Dad chapter; express gratitude to teachers; attend school functions.
5. Model Respect and Discipline:
   Set expectations for respectful behavior at home and school.

Closing Thoughts

This episode is both a wake-up call and a roadmap for dads facing one of modern parenting’s most difficult challenges. The hosts combine honesty, humor, and empathy, leaving listeners better equipped to engage proactively, support both their kids and teachers, and foster healthier, happier school environments.