What is wrong with our youth or our society?

[ontheblack]

What is wrong with our youth?

We live in a good area, very little crime. It's not as good as is was when I grew up here but still, it's not a bad place to live. Last year a 9th grade boy climbed on the roof at the high school and ran across the roof and leaped to his death at lunch. My kids, the school, the entire town was devastated. Why did he do it? They say he was bullied, he had good friends and family I think, how can life be that bad for a 9th grade boy. The school district brought counselors in for the students the teachers the local residents, it was a tough time.

Last week in the town next to ours which is a very well to do town, the average family income is around $145,000. The houses are beautiful the schools are nice and lots of great people I know live there. At 4:00 pm in the afternoon our schools JV softball team was playing over there. A senior boy went up to the third floor and took a running leap over the railing falling to his death. This opened up unhealed wounds for everyone. Why, his whole future in front of him. They say he was a great kid, lots of friends, in the drama class and good at what he did, no signs of being bullied. How can life be so bad?


Things don't seem to be getting any better, kids don't have respect for anyone anymore. Not all kids, most of the kids I see at travel ball games that I know seem to be different. They go out of there way to come say hi and give you a hug. The kids I know at the high school that don't play sports or just rec sports seem to act like punks. I don't know what to think, do you point the fingers at the parents?
I don't want to sit here and preach to anyone but maybe they need to teach the bible in class. When you can't say the Pledge of Allegiance in class because it mentions God and it might offend someone I think we are in trouble.

I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

If you don't like it get the hell out of my country

UNO -
I don't think we need to violate the US Constitution to help solve this problem. First, you can say the Pledge with the word "God" in it. The word is not offensive to the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution, but government advocating one religion (eg, Christianity - Bible) over others is. Besides, you can find the same "life lessons" that may assist with this devastating problem in the Bible, Torah, and most religious doctrines. The ethics and morals - let alone respect for hard work and consequences - seem to be missing from this "entitlement" generation. I believe it starts at home, and it is up to each family to instill these important characteristics in our children. Perhaps every younster should read Tom Brokaw's "The Greatest Generation" (WW II generation) to understand the long term importance of survival and working ethically toward one's goals. JMO

That is a great book! I wish it was required High School reading.

[ontheblack]

There are kids who rise above their circumstances:
http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-fin ... nonprofit/

[as the world turns]

I have a financially successful friend who made a ton of money, but in the process, ignored his son. Sure, he gave his son everything he needed, money, car, and such. Everything but time, too busy making money. He has so far spent $300K in drug rehab and therapy and his son is doing better, but he is still very vulnerable. We all fear his will flip one day.
Here is my motto as a parent, pay now or pay later - and there is still no guarantees. You have them for a very short 18 years, spend time now, and once they are off to college and out of the house you will have more time than you know what to do with, to do whatever.

[exD1dad]

There's a Matthew McConnahey movie where he is this womanizing/photog that opens with him shooting this model/actress & then bringing her back to his office where he breaks up with 4 women he's seeing at the same time. She says something like "what's up with those women" & he says "It usually begins with their daddy" her reply "I hate my father" to which he says "come to poppa"...hilarious when you see it(especially as a single male) but as a father to 2 girls I have been so fortunate & Blessed to spend quality time with my girls which so far has produced positive results.

Programmed from the beginning of time to have low self esteem girls today face different challenges than our wives & parents did. Softball, athletics music, drama, art etc bridge gaps other teens don't have with their parents & I for one cherish the time spent with them. I notice it more now that the oldest is away @ college.

[NumeroUno]

I have a financially successful friend who made a ton of money, but in the process, ignored his son. Sure, he gave his son everything he needed, money, car, and such. Everything but time, too busy making money. He has so far spent $300K in drug rehab and therapy and his son is doing better, but he is still very vulnerable. We all fear his will flip one day.
Here is my motto as a parent, pay now or pay later - and there is still no guarantees. You have them for a very short 18 years, spend time now, and once they are off to college and out of the house you will have more time than you know what to do with, to do whatever.

My friend spent 62K on his 22 year old son in a Betty Ford clinic for heroin. 7 days after he got out he used again, now the kid is homeless in Indio, Ca. He didn't spend much time with that kid when he was young to say the least

[fastpitchdad05]

I have a financially successful friend who made a ton of money, but in the process, ignored his son. Sure, he gave his son everything he needed, money, car, and such. Everything but time, too busy making money. He has so far spent $300K in drug rehab and therapy and his son is doing better, but he is still very vulnerable. We all fear his will flip one day.
Here is my motto as a parent, pay now or pay later - and there is still no guarantees. You have them for a very short 18 years, spend time now, and once they are off to college and out of the house you will have more time than you know what to do with, to do whatever.

My friend spent 62K on his 22 year old son in a Betty Ford clinic for heroin. 7 days after he got out he used again, now the kid is homeless in Indio, Ca. He didn't spend much time with that kid when he was young to say the least

I feel for any parent whose kid gets into drugs...it's my biggest fear.

So far so good with my 4, but you know I'm knocking on wood.

As Blind Squirrel (or was it AlwaysImprove...darn it!) we listen. And then we speak. And then we hope and pray.

[Blind Squirrel]

As Blind Squirrel (or was it AlwaysImprove...darn it!) we listen. And then we speak. And then we hope and pray.

Wish I could take credit for that one but I'm not that wise. But ohhh do I listen at home. At all times. But that's just a matter of self preservation not good parenting.

Silent Bob Squirrel

[Sid Barrett]

In the early part of my career, I recall chasing around a clique of little a$$hat gangsters, and now 20 plus years later, I'm chasing around their little illegitimate children, who are also a$$hat gangsters. IMHO, part of our problem, as a society, is the degradation of boundaries of what is acceptable, the overwhelming need to not offend (i.e. political correctness) and the need for immediate gratification,to name a few. But in the end, for whatever my opinion is worth, it almost always boils down to the parents, or lack there of. In my experience, bad parent begets bad kid. JMHO.

[softball_parent]

As a mental health professional who has been in the field for more than half my life I have worked with some of the most troubled kids in our state. Kids who have hung themselves and coded even in a locked facility. Kids who cut on their arms which is more common than most people know. Kids who swallow glass. Kids who do drugs. IMHO we blew it when we became so worried about damaging little Johnny's self esteem, told kids they were wonderful and that everything was somebody else's fault and gave the worst player on the last place team a trophy. We haven't taught them to manage the bumps in the road of life. Many of them think they are entitled. This is in my opinion why the mellinians came up as the most stressed generation in a recent survey. They don't have coping skills, they don't know how to manage stress, rejection devastates them and they often see themselves as a victim. JMHO

[Dugout Dad]

As a mental health professional who has been in the field for more than half my life I have worked with some of the most troubled kids in our state. Kids who have hung themselves and coded even in a locked facility. Kids who cut on their arms which is more common than most people know. Kids who swallow glass. Kids who do drugs. IMHO we blew it when we became so worried about damaging little Johnny's self esteem, told kids they were wonderful and that everything was somebody else's fault and gave the worst player on the last place team a trophy. We haven't taught them to manage the bumps in the road of life. Many of them think they are entitled. This is in my opinion why the mellinians came up as the most stressed generation in a recent survey. They don't have coping skills, they don't know how to manage stress, rejection devastates them and they often see themselves as a victim. JMHO

So true.

“ A man without self-restraint is like a barrel without hoops, and tumbles to pieces. ”
— Henry Ward Beecher