Parents need to be teaching respect, not rights
My wife and I recently went to Wal-Mart. As she got in line, I went to sit on a bench. A teen sat on top of the back of the bench, texting, with his feet on the seat. I said he shouldn’t be sitting on the backs of the bench with his shoes on the seat where people sit. He replied, “What’s it to you? I’m not bothering anyone, and I can do whatever I want.”
It wasn’t a case of bothering anyone but having common decency and respect for others. I mentioned to him that it’s unfortunate his generation just does what it wants. He called for his mother, who was shopping at the end of the row and who said I must be crazy. I replied that I wasn’t and now understood the problem.
It’s said that it takes a village to raise a child. I agree. When I was a child and teen any adult could correct me and I’d better listen. Today, is seems like no one wants to get involved, including parents. It’s so much easier to permit kids to do what they want because when they are corrected, arguments ensue, and guidance and authority are challenged. Kids are also permitted to have tantrums in public without any parental intervention. To show how far decency has fallen today, kids line up with their phones out to record beatings and fights to post online. The recent Chicago torture video is a good example.
This mentality is also observed in school. Students refuse to put their cellphones away because it’s their “right.” They refuse to do their work, argue with teachers and administrators because they feel they’re equals. Why? Because they do the same at home and parents lack the courage and time to correct their kids. A student not doing their work and arguing with teachers and administrators is nothing new. What’s new for many years now is the number of students who do this. The number of kids doing this is growing exponentially every year, contributing toward a general lack of respect and fear.
This lack of respect can also be observed in the way teens react to law enforcement. I have the greatest respect for law enforcement because they put their lives on the line every day for little pay or respect. I support the “rule of law” because it levels the playing field for everyone.
Society needs to once again embrace decency and require acceptable behavior. Just look at the recent presidential race and the appalling behavior that is still going on. When I was young it seemed like most TV programs reinforced social norms and good behavior. Now, we have these smart-alecky cartoons and programs that show kids disrespecting each other and their parents. I’m told that’s just what appeals to kids today. Come on parents, we have to take control of our kids’ behavior and our own and teach proper behavior. Permitting poor behavior and disrespect only brings chaos, fear and lawlessness.
TERRY STEWART
Springdale