Too many young Americans are growing up without a sense of responsibility or accountability for their behavior. Often due to a lack of appropriate parental guidance, children are now being raised without respect for the law or basic decency, for that matter, and instead have replaced it with an inflated sense of entitlement.
In too many cases, parents are well aware of their children’s behavior and have no interest in teaching them that choices have consequences. If young children are not being taught respect at home or by their parents, perhaps those who are responsible for them should be held accountable somehow.
Actions should have consequences and children (as well as adults) need to understand that we don’t live in a lawless land where everyone can act out however they please, driven by some false sense that there will not be consequences. Rather, everyone should contribute, and by being a part of a community that encourages and rewards for good behavior, but also holds accountable for poor, perhaps they can learn responsibility in places other than their home. When did school become part of the problem rather than the solution? The system is breaking down and priorities there are also out of control.
I do not have the solution, whether it should be added to required school curriculum, a new after- school program, military training, etc., but kids should be required to do something larger than themselves and more important than staring at their phones eg. volunteer work (nursing homes, shelters, parks, schools, etc.), similar to sports. Unfortunately, not every family can afford to enroll their children in these programs, so the government will need to provide the funding.
I look forward to everyone’s ideas and open discussions about how we can raise children to be respectful, mindful, healthy, decent, responsible young men and women with purpose and a future filled with opportunities to thrive. They are the future, and right now, it’s not looking that bright.
ps. so excited about this forum and watching its potential for a better future for all Americans.