What is wrong with our kids?

[SummerChild]

I think that's basically it. Kids have *always* had anger management and communication problems, we did. The difference is that we had not been socialized to even *consider* the idea of shooting someone. That was not even a remote option in the society that we came up in. Bullying, fighting, stealing yes, shooting, no.

Times change. Parents need to step it up.

SC

Originally posted by AKA2D '91
Kids have anger management and communication issues. They do not know how to address anger, nor do they know how to communicate that they are lonely, afraid of abandonment, hurt, etc.


Parents have allowed their kids to rule them. They don't want to treat their kids like their parents treated them.

[ladygreek]

We are also seeing the continued results of kids born to one or more addicted parent--alcohol fetal syndrome, crack babies, cocaine babies, etc. And yes, White suburbia has addicted parents, too. Addiction not only physically affects the child, but leads to neglect and inattention.

[Honeykiss1974]

Originally posted by BlueReign
There is nothing wrong with our kids. We are to blame. And not just bad parents, but everything else that kids are exposed to. The nature of movies, tv shows, videos, dam rap songs, etc. as Bajan Delta said already, this has created this monster of a generation we have now. WE HAVE TAKEN AWAY THEIR INNOCENCE.

I also know too many children who have raised themselves. They don't talk to their parents anymore. They e-mail them and they live in the same house!! With the cost of living and people buying homes with more room than they need to "keep up", they often work longer hours and spend less time at home to properly parent.

This is a serious crisis to me because I had something happen this past week with one of my students where he e-mailed his father about a bully. His father replied in the letter to us that he told him to defend himself by any means.

I truly believe that this particular student is one who may do something "Columbine-like". I do have my eye on him and doing what I can to help him and keep something bad from happening.

You have touched on lot of issues that I think are affecting our kids today. With the influx of electronics/technology, kids seriously are lacking socials skills, which do include conflict resolution and management. I NOW understand why our parents would force us to go outside and play (besides to give them a break ;p) but to also teach us how to get along with people. Today, for the majority of kids, their social outlets are video games (which you can play against others gamers online) and the computer (ex. myspace, chat rooms, facebook, etc.).

Parents do need to step up. Quit worrying about the material things that the Jones have and trying to "keep up". Kids are a blessing from God and its their character that matters, not wear or not their jeans are Levi or Lucky. Quit trying to be they dag on friend and DISCIPLINE them! It B-LO-W-S my mind that my co-worker's daughter is 12 and has a cell phone! WTH? Where is a 12 year old going that you don't know about? What is she doing that she needs a cell phone? Growing up my mom worked and didn't get off work until 5:30, but school let out 3. If I wasn't at home when she called at 3:15 my tail would be in TROUBLE.

Anyway, I'm starting to rant now. But I do agree with you all about their innocence being going. Look at the clothes they seel for little girls or at the body types that our media and society hails as beautiful and sexy (that of a pre-pubescent teen).

Sad really...

[TonyB06]

Originally posted by Honeykiss1974
Parents do need to step up. Quit worrying about the material things that the Jones have and trying to "keep up". Kids are a blessing from God and its their character that matters, not wear or not their jeans are Levi or Lucky. Quit trying to be they dag on friend and DISCIPLINE them! It B-LO-W-S my mind that my co-worker's daughter is 12 and has a cell phone! WTH? Where is a 12 year old going that you don't know about? What is she doing that she needs a cell phone? Growing up my mom worked and didn't get off work until 5:30, but school let out 3. If I wasn't at home when she called at 3:15 my tail would be in TROUBLE.

I agree w/ most of what's being said, but let's keep perspective. Maybe the 12 year-old has a cell phone so the mom/dad can keep up (reach her) at all times. I saw a news story last week that these phones are now being used like GPS tracking systems. If fast azz Shenquia says she at the mall, you can punch it in and see, in fact, if she's at the mall. so who knows?

My folks knew where I was. If I was trying to hit a party on Friday night, you best believe moms had called and had been told by the other parents that there was indeed a party at their crib. (I'm sure my sisters got it even worse than I did.) It was a pain in my azzz to be sure, but I'm thankful today for every question I got asked, every parental standard I had to meet.

Parents need to set boundaries, and let kids be kids within those boundaries. Sure, kids will test these boundaries (that's why we have the "worst whuppins you ever got" thread) but once tested, kids know that their parents love them enough to check them.