So, I guess I stand corrected. Apparently we do live in a sick, sad society where children (and I use to the term loosely) are capable of ANYTHING. Third graders (8 year-olds) plotting to kidnap and hurt a teacher? Are you serious? Wow. I am really scared for the future. Scared for my son. The question on everyones mind is "where were the parents?!" and I would like to know as well. But I imagine the parents probably had NO CLUE what was going on. Is it a matter of not watching your kids close enough or trusting them too much?
I have known families with both parents in the home, loving mother and father, both working professionals involved in their kids lives (ballet recitals, basketball games, hosting the neighborhood parties, members of the PTA, etc.) parents who tried to lead by example (very Huxtable-esque) and at least one and in some cases two of their children just went astray.
I personally know one family who had four boys and one hung with a gang, ended up in jail and was later murdered another ended up addicted to crack. The other two ended up married professionals with children living in the 'burbs and they never so much as had a parking ticket.
How does that happen?! If all four children received the same parenting, the same love, the same time and attention? I'll tell you my theory: no matter what you do as a parent there comes a time when you cannot be with your children 24 hours a day and all it takes is for your child to be approached by ONE negative influence (a person, place or thing) and for them to make a wrong decision that can change the course of their lives forever.
The main problem I think is the lack of fear. Some children feel they can do whatever they want because there will be no consequences, so they become fearless and do things that they know are wrong. I do not even want to imagine- cannot even fathom the thought or idea of my son becoming a criminal, drug addict or prisoner. I pray for him EVERYDAY! But in the end if that is the path that HE chooses instead of living a life of righteousness, service and grace then how can I be held accountable?
Seriously, if I do EVERYTHING in my power to be a positive influence and instill values and hard work ethic and compassion to others- if I put in this work and he ends up a weak coward and succumbing to the evils of this world I guess my crime is bringing him into this world. But someone please tell me how can you tell in utero what type of life your child will lead? Imagine if they developed that kind of technology. . .
Here's the full article: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-04-02-ga-students-plot_N.htm
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Unreal
So, I guess I stand corrected. Apparently we do live in a sick, sad society where children (and I use to the term loosely) are capable of ANYTHING. Third graders (8 year-olds) plotting to kidnap and hurt a teacher? Are you serious? Wow. I am really scared for the future. Scared for my son. The question on everyones mind is "where were the parents?!" and I would like to know as well. But I imagine the parents probably had NO CLUE what was going on. Is it a matter of not watching your kids close enough or trusting them too much?
I have known families with both parents in the home, loving mother and father, both working professionals involved in their kids lives (ballet recitals, basketball games, hosting the neighborhood parties, members of the PTA, etc.) parents who tried to lead by example (very Huxtable-esque) and at least one and in some cases two of their children just went astray.
I personally know one family who had four boys and one hung with a gang, ended up in jail and was later murdered another ended up addicted to crack. The other two ended up married professionals with children living in the 'burbs and they never so much as had a parking ticket.
How does that happen?! If all four children received the same parenting, the same love, the same time and attention? I'll tell you my theory: no matter what you do as a parent there comes a time when you cannot be with your children 24 hours a day and all it takes is for your child to be approached by ONE negative influence (a person, place or thing) and for them to make a wrong decision that can change the course of their lives forever.
The main problem I think is the lack of fear. Some children feel they can do whatever they want because there will be no consequences, so they become fearless and do things that they know are wrong. I do not even want to imagine- cannot even fathom the thought or idea of my son becoming a criminal, drug addict or prisoner. I pray for him EVERYDAY! But in the end if that is the path that HE chooses instead of living a life of righteousness, service and grace then how can I be held accountable?
Seriously, if I do EVERYTHING in my power to be a positive influence and instill values and hard work ethic and compassion to others- if I put in this work and he ends up a weak coward and succumbing to the evils of this world I guess my crime is bringing him into this world. But someone please tell me how can you tell in utero what type of life your child will lead? Imagine if they developed that kind of technology. . .
Here's the full article: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-04-02-ga-students-plot_N.htm
I have known families with both parents in the home, loving mother and father, both working professionals involved in their kids lives (ballet recitals, basketball games, hosting the neighborhood parties, members of the PTA, etc.) parents who tried to lead by example (very Huxtable-esque) and at least one and in some cases two of their children just went astray.
I personally know one family who had four boys and one hung with a gang, ended up in jail and was later murdered another ended up addicted to crack. The other two ended up married professionals with children living in the 'burbs and they never so much as had a parking ticket.
How does that happen?! If all four children received the same parenting, the same love, the same time and attention? I'll tell you my theory: no matter what you do as a parent there comes a time when you cannot be with your children 24 hours a day and all it takes is for your child to be approached by ONE negative influence (a person, place or thing) and for them to make a wrong decision that can change the course of their lives forever.
The main problem I think is the lack of fear. Some children feel they can do whatever they want because there will be no consequences, so they become fearless and do things that they know are wrong. I do not even want to imagine- cannot even fathom the thought or idea of my son becoming a criminal, drug addict or prisoner. I pray for him EVERYDAY! But in the end if that is the path that HE chooses instead of living a life of righteousness, service and grace then how can I be held accountable?
Seriously, if I do EVERYTHING in my power to be a positive influence and instill values and hard work ethic and compassion to others- if I put in this work and he ends up a weak coward and succumbing to the evils of this world I guess my crime is bringing him into this world. But someone please tell me how can you tell in utero what type of life your child will lead? Imagine if they developed that kind of technology. . .
Here's the full article: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-04-02-ga-students-plot_N.htm
1 comment:
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Dave Van Buren said...
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I worry about this same stuff with my daughter. I agree with you that there is nothing we really can do but set an example for our children. In the end they make their own choices, We can't live life for them. Great Post.
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April 7, 2008 at 7:02 AM
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1 comment:
I worry about this same stuff with my daughter. I agree with you that there is nothing we really can do but set an example for our children. In the end they make their own choices, We can't live life for them. Great Post.
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