Parents Talk: Teens Behaving Badly

Jonathan Dough January 24, 2013 at 08:46 pm

First of all. There are a lot of stupid kids. Stupid kids do stupid things. Having said that, the Mpls. Washburn incident is much a do about nothing. We have bigger fish to fry. In a few years half of those kids will be packing heat and the other half will be knocked up.

Kate Rivard January 24, 2013 at 11:22 pm

Becky,
We have a high economic diversity here in the West Metro. Some teens are offered the iphone and asked to be responsible with it. Development of strong wills, frontal lobe brain growth, and the desire for adventure, possibly in families affected by financial downturn have a strong drive to earn their own money, are into pot use and selling. The anxiety this causes can be a real trigger for odd academic behavior and denial of any poor choices. Kids who have lots of mental and physical energy not accepted in school or yet harnessed often seek a similar "calm", which can morph into selling pot to those who desparately want it stressful times of middle school and high school. It seems to be happening and adults are involved. As far as girls and boys, they are using MeetUp to meet people and parents aren't really aware that they are doing this on Facebook. The oversight is of opportunities for parties. It's good to be in touch with a fading teen.

Kate Rivard January 24, 2013 at 11:23 pm

A stupid kid could be yours. I've seen it happen. I agree with this. Somehow, the vibrations from one guy or gal with an idea pull others into it. Sometimes this is the long haul.

Alexis January 25, 2013 at 12:39 am

I think the Washburn doll incident was blown WAY over board. If there was no note, why does everyone just JUMP to the conclusion that just because the doll is not white, this has to be a RACIAL statement, rather than the possibility that some mischevious kids were just having fun (be it crude) with a toy?

Willow January 25, 2013 at 04:14 am

Maybe I'm wrong but it seems that way back when, punishments for kids at home and at school were much more serious and appropriately harsh. Kids have always done stupid things but they didn't do them as often as they do now because the consequences are minimal.

Eli Kaplan January 25, 2013 at 12:31 pm

Parents need to look into themselves to see if any of their actions or comments subtle or otherwise may be prejudicial. Discussions about race and prejudice should be held in the home.. It is my belief that if your kids are taught about these subjects in the home they would know right from wrong. Look at some parents behavior at their kids sports events. These are some of the unspoken subtle forms of prejudice.

Rita V January 25, 2013 at 03:43 pm

I do daycare and can tell you one thing I know for certain... It all starts at home with discipline, boundaries, rules and being consistent while your child is young. If a parent doesn't stay consistent, they inadvertantly give the child all the power. Parents do not want to 'deal with power struggles', but if you do not take the power back now, it will be almost impossible to take it back during the teenage years. Children need boundaries and rules; and actually thrive and are much happier having them. Another issue is that the teenagers today seem more entitled than any generation seen before. They have too many technologies and are not working hard for things as teenagers in the past have had to do. Put this all together and then you may have disaster waiting to happen. And I disagree, teens are not stupid! They make bad choices based on life experiences! It is up to the parents to talk about racism, prejudices while they are still young. Give them experiences! Let them help in the community, in soup kitchens, cleaning ditches, etc... It will be a humbling experience and something they can take some pride away with.

Kate Rivard January 25, 2013 at 04:30 pm

Rita,
I am learning that some teens go ahead and damage property because they feel they have the upper hand. Completely agree with you that boys, girls, and their parents might see these as "stupid" acts, but the mentality and behavior continue.

Jonah January 26, 2013 at 12:24 am

Hockey players that I have known all my life do stupid things. They start out stupid and after many knocks to the head, they are even more incapable of using good judgment. No surprise there in Maple Grove nor anywhere else for that matter regarding these Neanderthals AND their parents.

Mary January 30, 2013 at 06:34 pm

Jonah, Please do not lump all hockey players into the "Neanderthal" group. My son has been a hockey player since he was 5, I know the type of players and parents your are talking about but it is not all in fact it is a small group overall that behave badly. However that being said, I do not agree with the way the Maple Grove situation is being handled. This is not just a "boys being boys" situation. If what they are saying in the media is true, this is the most unacceptable situation I could think of and as a parent my son would not see the ice (or the light of day) for a very long time even if he was just "watching". But what is most concerning to me is the fact that it sounds like this is something that has happened before. Nobody, I don't care who you are, should ever think something like this is ok. Why has this not been stopped before. How has this affected the girls they have used and abused. It makes me sick to think that there are actually adults out there who thinks this "isn't that bad" that kids make mistakes...I was a kid once, I never knew anyone who would have done anything like this and I was a part of the high school hockey program in the 80's. Schools and parents need to step it up and make consequences on these kinds of activities much tougher. Sorry about the soap box I am on, just really hate what is going on!