Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Youthful indiscretion or destruction.


Back in the day, fights were resolved with fisticuffs and friendships were rekindled. Nowadays, fights are resolved with knives, bats and guns and people die. Where did we go wrong? Can we blame the ubiquitous violence on television and in the movies? Can we blame the "Hip Hop" generation for perpetuating "gangsta" lifestyle? More importantly, can we place the blame solely on poor parenting? There are so many factors that contribute to this downward spiral of our youth today. What can be done to save this generation? Surely, some will survive and go on to be productive citizens, but what do we do about those who will inevitably get caught up in the system and find residence in our jails and/or prisons?


" Listen to a voice of reason when your inner sanity fails you." Dr. BLR

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

The state of entertainment seems to be just another way for parents to shirk their responsibilities. And besides parents love to take the credit when their children are doing well. Why should the negative be any different?

Parents can blame music or whatever else that makes them feel better about themselves, but what about making sure their presence is strong and real parental effort is emphasized.

Its okay to know and accept where you went wrong. Once the problem is revealed parents can possibly move forward and make the necessary changes. The key may be to let kids see you giving your best effort. Isn't that all anyone can give?

Can parents teach their children that fighting is only acceptable as a means of self defense? Can children be taught how to identify when things are going to far? And do they have a respect for theirs and the lives of others? (9510)

Anonymous said...

My mother always says no matter how u raise ur children they are going to b who they r going 2 b.I think that the number one cause of this generation going down hill is because of the poor parenting. If parents had more control over what there kids watched, and listened to these children wouldn't know as much as they do. Granted they learn from the outside, but they already have some values and morals instilled in them.but in some cases the parenting is really good in some homes, but the children see what goes on on television and what their friends do and they want to be apart of something, so they make thee wrong choices. And for no good reason. To blame the media and other things for the downfall of the generations to me is a cope out. If we knew better we would do better.

Anonymous said...

My mother always says no matter how u raise ur children they are going to b who they r going 2 b.I think that the number one cause of this generation going down hill is because of the poor parenting. If parents had more control over what there kids watched, and listened to these children wouldn't know as much as they do. Granted they learn from the outside, but they already have some values and morals instilled in them.but in some cases the parenting is really good in some homes, but the children see what goes on on television and what their friends do and they want to be apart of something, so they make thee wrong choices. And for no good reason. To blame the media and other things for the downfall of the generations to me is a cope out. If we knew better we would do better. CA

Anonymous said...

I dont think is anyones fault first of all every one is responsible for their own act.
They know whats good and bad. Sometimes you dont get cought the first time but eventually you will trust me. For those brothers that they in jail or prison they allready know that after that they coming out to do something good in the community. Specially if you had spend alot of time in those cells. 5794

Anonymous said...

Society has changed over time and unfortunately some will not make a productive life out of it. The few that end up in jail/prison need to be treated and given help so they can get back into society on their own and not end up back in jail again. There are many factors that we can blame and point fingers at as the cause of this. 2530

Anonymous said...

if the govrnment give parents the right to whip their children then everything would be alright. (things go wrong when you take old school out)7593

Anonymous said...

I blame the media because they put negativity all over the news. No one sees the good things that happen in the world. I also blame it on television. In movies the bad guys are perceived as the good guys in ways. Poor parenting is another reason. Parents need to keep their kids into after school activities such as sports. Parents also need to be involved in their childrens life. Children now have the wrong role models. Parents need to make it where their children look up to them.

ecc 3950

Anonymous said...

no comments. ms0777

Anonymous said...

In my observation, I the biggest part of the problem with this recurring cycle is lack of parenting skills. It is the generational curse of children having children. These teen mothers never matured enough to be a good mother and sometimes, they are repeating the cycle of their mothers. Thus no one has learned how to be a mother, provider and protector. As for the fathers, many young fathers leave because they are also part of the cycle. Growing up, we were taught it takes a village to raise a child, unfortunately, those values are gone today. The other day, I saw a young man trying to fight a girl and when I asked him to not hit a woman, any woman, his mother told me to mind my business. I stood firm in my ground. But this is what they are learning. Sadly, I sometimes refer to some young men as preordained criminals because their future is dictated by their actions. Since, I have no right to talk unless I am going to try to change it. I am a JCC member and I try to save the youths that I can because I believe they all have potential, they just need someone, anyone to guide them. So what do we do, we get involved, we help a friend, family member or a child you see on the street. If we save one, its a start. Nothing beats a failure but a try! *2232

Anonymous said...

First of all you have a choice in deciding right from wrong if you make the right choices and end up successful great but if you make a bad choice and end up in prison its because of your decision. 4539

Anonymous said...

The reason for all the problems with the youths is a combination of everything stated in the blog. There is not just one factor. American culture has changed for the worse 15 years ago things weren't even this bad. People seem to not value life anymore. For those who inevitably end going to jail all we can do is help rehabilitate them. But for things to change society as a whole must take efforts in helping out today's youth, otherwise things will only get worst. SPC 5936

Anonymous said...

Its okay to know and accept where you went wrong. Once the problem is revealed parents can possibly move forward and make the necessary changes. The key may be to let kids see you giving your best effort. SPC 6169

Anonymous said...

I WANT BLAME PARENTS ON THE WAY THERE KIDS GROW UP BECAUSE SOME PARENTS RAISE THERE KIDS RIGHT AND SOME PARENTS DONT. IN MY OPINION KIDS GROW UP DOING WHAT THEY WANNA DO FOLLOWING OTHERS RS 6569

Anonymous said...

I feel like a person should be accountable for there own actions. They have the freewill to do what they want to do. No one put a gun to their head and said listen to gansta rap or said because the do listen that should go out killing people. It is easy to pass the blame on someone else rather than take a long look within.
dg7659

Anonymous said...

INFLUENCE.

The type of influence one receives is the type of person one will mode into. The power that somebody has to affect other people's thinking or actions by means of argument, example, or force of personality dictates what,who, where, when,and how the person will become.

Are the parents proper fufilling their responsabilities? Do parents know what they must do?

ES 1810

Anonymous said...

This is the reason i chose this field!! We have KIDS because thats truly what they are,and they're killing each other. I can only say each generation thinks they're worse than the last. They have to be more "gangsta". Which in their eyes means more guns, more drugs which is always followed by more voilence!! So how do we help them? How do we stop them before they start?How do we talk to someone who's not listening? How do we love a child who has hate in their heart and knows no better? Either because they haven't felt it or simply because they've never lived with care and love growing up. So what can we as the people that care about these kids,like i do, do? Where do we start? It hurts to know that we're falling into the statistics and allowing the people who made that up to win!!! We're giving them the reason to label us as a whole. The only way to stop it is helping our youth. I truly feel the only way to make this change is to make programs and enforce them. There's an idea of a school to help the youth its called "The divine school of science". Ideals as such are important they show people do want to reach out to our youth whether criminal or not and show a better way. Spit true knowledge help them get back on track with education, child support and/or probation fines. Go to the hood and pass out business cards to the ones we know need the help. I will be following what i preach but my steps are measured and unfortunately not all funds are there to support what I know will make a change in this community.We all know a lot of our youth wants to rap, so lets build them somewhere that they can feel a little fulfillment with one of their talents.You'll be surprised how many people are not willing to lend a helping hand to something that will be so profitable to this community. And I do not mean money wise when i say profitable,I mean it will be a positive change but thats most likely why they could careless about this idea. Its easier and better for their pockets to label them as criminals and lock them in the system. It's easier then trying to make each person in the community a smart, strong minded person a professional.I'm sure you've noticed we try to put our kids in better schools, what does that mean? Shouldn't all teachers hold their students to the same standards and if they don't understand shouldn't it be the teachers duty to make sure any of our children do understand? In case a child needs more help then i believe at that point it is the teachers responsibility to inform the parent for more assistance, more time into our own childrens' education!! WE are creating our future with the children we are raising! Let's not forget how we grew up a few decades ago, now I'm not saying abuse the privelage to whoop your kids behind but let them know you run the show they shouldn't fear you, but they should RESPECT you.If they are not respecting you the parent do not expect them to go out and be any different outside your doors.We must teach them since they're little to believe in themselves and as they get older to know their priorities to truly make it out of the circle we're all trapped to live in through education.To not fall and be the same and to not give in to just be another statistic. I mean I'm still trapped in the circle for simply living here,statistacally, yet I'm trying to break that tie by being the one who makes it and I will make a change in my way, until then i will continue to fight for the youth and what i believe to be right and when I achieve my goal I will remember I wrote this today....

S.S. 8161

Anonymous said...

I believe it begins in the home.Yes society has played a part in fist fights to gun fights but it all comes down on how you trained your kids.

Anonymous said...

You can't blame the whole situation on just one thing. I think parents should be better role models, and that media makes people think it's ok to use weapons and act violently. Again media has a lot to do with why "gangsta lifestyle" is connected to violence. What we can and should do is educate our children and teach them good values from the beginning.
SG 4591

Anonymous said...

I personally blame it on parents because if they give young kids an educational foundation ,children will be critical consumers of the media .Some of them do not really do a god jobs of raising children because they have to go to work.Most of the times ,they can not afford to even babysit.

LJ 6631

Anonymous said...

Darnell I don't feel as though hip hop music should be the blame for the violence amongst the youth. The action and behaviors of the youth does in fact start at home. But, even those who was raised proper seek attention from their fellow peers. Unlike the old days the youth have a point to prove and people to impress. When settling differences some youth will in fact fight, but if the doesn't go their way the get a gun. But most importantly, the cause of the violent youth is simply they want to be down.

Anonymous said...

i think poor parenting should be on the top of the list,they forget the roles, children need to be monitor all the way in everything,because if parents forget their responsibility toward their kids some one on the street will do it for them.it is also sad to say the media do play a major role in shaping the children life.JS7920

Anonymous said...

Music should not be the influence of a person's actions or behavior. I believe that the responsiblity of these kids' welfare falls on the shoulders of their parents. As parents, we are responsible to make sure that our children will not fall into the hands of bad company. Discipline is always a good alternative people. DA6353

Anonymous said...

I.D.8527

Honestly, I dont believe that anything can be done.They say if you knew better,you would do better.But these children know better! They know what life is like aside from violence and gangs.Maybe there mom is doing positive things. If not there are many different celebrities and important people that are out here doing positive things, "LIVING THE LIFE" as they would say. Unfortunately I dont think that there is any hope....It would take the most influential models in these communities(example OG's) to evoke a change in these individuals. MAYBE, JUST MAYBE IT WOULD WORK.

Anonymous said...

I think that poor parenting is the problem for children in to day society. parents had lost the ability to control kids and teach them the responsabilities and consequenses of growing up in today society. parents are giving up on their kids and alowing televison ore other type of pier precion of to raise our children. i think that if we take control of our kids we can make a big chage. but not only parents are at foult society it self is to blame. it would be easer if parents can united and help teeneager to be proper productive citizen. for instense if i'm walking down the stree and i see a group of teens doing inproper things i as a parent would take the responsabilty to act in the situation and not turn my head around a say those are not my kids or my job. when parents start taking control of this situation our kids could have a better chance
JE#7974

Anonymous said...

I remember when I was small the fights were just that. It was over with and the next day and we were friends. Times sure has changed. The weapons that people use is over the top. Life is so different from when I was a young. I think the teachings of life definitely start at home but then there is peer pressure, and drugs also that our kids have to make hard choices behind. I agree that even when you are taught you stray away from those things instilled in you but you never forget what you have been taught. You just make poor choices.....RSI-3774

Anonymous said...

Times have definately change. When I was growing up we fought with our fist and their was noboby jumping anyone else. It was a one on one right. It you got your butt whipp you would just suck it up and walk away and fight to see another day. Today you say one thing wrong and people are ready to pull out a gun and place a bullet in your head just by words. If people want to shoot that bad then they need to go to war and see what it is like. People are killing other people over nonsense and it's not worth it.

Arbubaker-1221
CJI-102