Whatever happened to savoring your youthfulness? Children of today's society are growing up far too quickly. I work in a high end store in one of the wealthiest counties per capita in the United States, and some of the things that I see children (under the age of 13) have is ridiculous.
When I was young it was normal to play outside with friends, do art projects, and just enjoy time away from school and "free-time". Seems too often that young girls, and boys, are striving to be older no matter if it is wearing makeup, going on dates, having cell phones, roaming the internet, etc.
Question is...whose fault is it?
Personally, I think it is the parents fault. Although I am not a mother, but one day I will be, and when I am I do not expect to give my child everything that they want or allow them to grow up too quickly.
What the young do not realize once you grow up you never get the past years back. If you grow up too quickly before you know it you're actually an adult and you'll be tired of it. Enjoy it while it lasts it goes by quick enough as it is.
My high school I graduated from a few years ago is connected to the school's middle school. Grades 6-12 all in one building and although they're on seperate sides of the school we were still exposed to each other. My senior year I found out that a 7th grade and 8th grader girl were both pregnant. How does that happen? Well, actually we know how it happens, but where is their parental guidence? Where is their self-respect? They believe it makes them seem more desirable and "cool" if they're active in such dangerous activities.
Now, I am not harking on pre-martial sex, because if you are an adult and can deal with youe consequences of what COULD happen, then so be it, but a 13 year old girl and a 13 year old boy are not responsible enough to be parents. What happens with the chlid if they choose to go through with the pregnancy? Adoption? Abortion rates continue to rise? The new grand-parents raise the child? From there it seems to be an endless cycle.
Aside from engaging in sexual activities at a young age, the rise in drug and alcohol use is crazy. Hearing people, seeing pictures, etc talking about "trashed" they wear, sneaking booze from their parents alcohol cabinets, getting high etc. Again, whose fault? PARENTS!!!!
I don't think parents are active enough in their child's life for whatever reasons now days, and its a problem. Up until a few months ago I was an active teacher at a preschool and before/after school developmental program for kids aged 0-12 and I have witnessed that not everyone who has children are cut out to be "parents", some are so caught up in their own lives to be responsible enough to worry about another, or some are so preoccupied with their careers that they give their child whatever they want in order to stay occupied and out of their hair.
Again, whose fault? PARENTS
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
The parents are definately the key. I don't think they even realize how much power they have. I see way too many parents worrying about their job schedule and when to fit in another day of work rather than what their children are up to. They don't ask what is going on in their lives, they don't watch to see what types of shows they are watching on TV and what books they are reading. They don't even take the time to meet their friends. When this happens, everything goes too far. The TV shows, the friends, and the books all play a big role in the child's life. They have the power to influence their thoughts, actions, and ideas. These things, in turn, become the parents and raise the kid. IF PARENTS ONLY TOOK THE TIME, THEY WOULD SEE THAT THEY CAN MAKE A BIGGER AND BETTER INFLUENCE.
AMEN!! Glad you agree. Some people say that kids should know better, but how do you expect them to know better when they have never been taught different?? If parents would take extra time at the end of the day, hell even 5 minutes, to ask about the childs day, what they did, etc...even that could eventually take its toll and start to impact the way a parent should be in on their child's life.
I really do agree about it being the parents faults. It is not always their fault but alot of the time it can be. Parents aren't home as much as they used to be because they want to work and buy their child's affections. My parents did a good job and raising me and were strict but didn't limit having fun. I believe if a parent is to strict then the children will rebel badly. setting an example like trying not to cuss in front of children, talking to them, having family time, trying not to drink in front of them, locking liquor cabinets, not leaving them alone alot of the time. My mom didn't let me wear make up until i was in 8th grade which i believe alot of parents should limit. I graduated with 4 pregnant girls in my class. I think the parents should restrict the way girls and boy interact by the places they go. it really is the parents fault. I took psychology and learned how important it is at a young age to make a good impact in a child's life early on. I think if parents restrict certain things at a younger age and are actually there for them then the children are less likely to do what they are doing now.
I agree. It's important to be strict with your children, but not too strict because ike you said they'll rebel and turn out extacly the way we don't want children to continue turning out.