Our children are clearly this nation’s most important resource. Having the next generation grow up physically strong and of good moral character has consequences far outside their own successes in life. As each generation grows older and passes on the torch of leadership to the next, they are actually handing over the reigns to their own health and quality of life. Ensuring that children grow up with a core set of values was once a community function. I was more afraid of my friend’s parents than my own. Not because they would abuse or berate me, but out of fear they would tell my parents that I had misbehaved. I knew the worst sin I could commit was embarrassing my parents in front of other adults. I guess that comes down to society’s view of responsibility. Parents used to take responsibility for the actions and behaviors of their children, something that most parents flee from today. Even society itself seems to celebrate the poor behavior of children these days. This most clearly manifests itself in the way we tend to react to children disrespecting figures of authority.
A perfect example of this is Jordan Hancock of Denver, Colorado. On March 23, twenty-two-year-old Hancock was pulled over by an Aurora police officer for driving 25 mph above the speed limit (65 mph in a 40 mph zone). Luckily, the officer had a body-worn camera that recorded the entire event. Here is the transcribed interaction:
Hancock – “My dad’s the mayor, you f—ing f—got!”
Officer – “Mayor of what, of Denver?”
Hancock – “Don’t worry about it b—h. I’m about to get you fired you f—-ing b—h!”
Officer – “For what?”
Hancock – “Yeah, exactly, don’t worry about it. Whatever you f—ing b—h!”
The parents, of course, released a statement in regards to the actions of their son: “We addressed this matter with Jordan and he has apologized to the Officer. While we do not support nor condone his inexcusable actions and words during this traffic stop, we love our son dearly and support him.”
What is there to support here? How about this response: We addressed this matter with Jordan. We understand that the only reason he would ever react in this way is because he learned through our actions that social and economic standing can be used to get away with bad behavior. Clearly, he believed that he could use my position as leverage against others because he has grown up entitled—he has never learned that he needs to stand upon his own accomplishments and not hide behind mine, even though I underwrite and cover up his mistakes. At least my version would be honest.
We can also look at the treatment of our nation’s teachers by their students. We all had teachers that we couldn’t stand. Ones that we felt were picking on us or set different expectations for their favorites. Yet throughout my entire journey in public schools, I never once considered being overtly disrespectful to a teacher. In fact, my mother always made it exceptionally clear that if she ever got a call or note from the school about my behavior, I would be guilty—no arguments or excuses accepted. This does not mean that she thought all my teachers were exemplary either. Years after I graduated, we were talking about my old fifth-grade teacher (who also taught my brother and sister) and she told me she and other parents of children in the class couldn’t stand her. She always favored the girls and came down on the boys. Instead of trying to protect me, however, she expected me to rise above those issues and learn to deal with those who may not treat me fairly. Had I voiced a concern, I have no doubt she would have quickly shut me down.
Unfortunately, it would appear that this expectation no longer applies. Somewhere along the way, we decided to tell children that they should be allowed to express themselves unfettered. I recently came across a letter which perfectly demonstrates this. It was written by an unnamed fifth-grade student who only identifies themselves as “the student that hates you.” The two-page letter is full of so much hate and anger that I can’t believe it comes from an eleven-year-old. The student starts the letter with, “This is going to be the last time I see you I hope. But I just want you to know that I really don’t like you at all.” While disrespectful, that is not too bad—it gets much worse. Skipping several sentences, “I was really smart when I came into 5th grade but you made me a total dumb ass and you know it…You know how I know your so stupid because when you told me and Kalija that we were on the list for summer school but she didn’t even get a paper. What type of s–t is that? Only a d—head does that. And then you act like if your so smart and professional when your so stupid and dumb…You’re an uninteligant, unprofesional, uneducated special educated narsasits. And all you do is bother people and give them summer school to make them feel like total a—holes.” It keeps going, but doesn’t get any better (neither does the spelling for that matter). As bad as this letter is, and as poorly as it speaks to the parent’s child-rearing abilities, the comments about the letter were worse.
“If she would’ve only proofread it but I feel this on a collegiate level lmao.” “Do they have a GoFundMe? I need to make sure they go to College.” How about asking if they have a GoFundMe account to pay for the student’s future welfare checks? That would be a much better question.
https://youtu.be/Ph9sJIEC6A4
Our children have completely lost their way. Of course, given the fact that kids believe it is a good idea to eat tide pods and snort condoms, what should we really expect? Even more worrying is the fact that they are praised by their peers and supported by their parents. I totally believe in unconditional love for your child, but that does not dismiss making them responsible for their actions.
The scary thing is: these are the people that will eventually be making decisions affecting our nation. It is bad enough right now with our government seemingly run by adolescent children who never take responsibility for their actions. Yet imagine how much worse it will be when the entirety of our country is characterized by this. When you have twenty-two-year olds who feel that they are above the law, what is left? Don’t believe it? Remember Ethan Couch? The teen who killed four people because he was drinking and driving. Using his parent’s money, and the excuse that he did not know any better because he grew up rich, the judge let him off without any serious consequences. From all accounts, Couch never showed any remorse for his actions. And why should he? If society, parents, and peers will not hold him accountable, why should he bother holding himself to a standard?
