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March 17 2008 at 11:23 AM by Sloan Letman

Why Are Our Teenagers Acting So Crazy?


We see it every day on the TV news. The juvenile crime rate is increasing faster than the adult crime rate. There are more juveniles locked up in the State of California than anywhere else in the country. Juveniles are being locked up not just for curfew violations or talking back to their parents but for major crimes like armed robbery, murder, and a host of drug offenses. This is an interracial problem that cuts across class and gender lines. More and more middle class teenagers are becoming involved in significant at risk behaviors.

 

The question we must ask is why is all this is happening? No one really knows the answer but a lot of theories have been put forward in order to get some kind of a handle on this problem. Some people say that the rise in youth crime is a direct result of poverty, discrimination, and institutional/individual racism. Certainly, these factors play a role but they do not explain why so many middle class children are increasingly becoming involved in at risk behavior. Others say that inconsistent parenting and single parent homes are the real causes of the problem. This may also be true but it does not explain why some children who have bad parents still manage to become successful adults.

 

The solutions that are currently available are also totally inadequate. We have tried the entire spectrum from social work interventions to lock them up and throw the key away. Our lack of vision has only made the problem worse.

 

So here we are with a situation on our hands that is almost totally out of control. What are we going to do: throw up our hands and give up? You tell me.


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Comments

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Tamela
03/26/08
7:52 PM

I think it does start at home. I've noticed that parents are getting less involved in their childs life. It starts in Junior High the teachers have to act as the teacher, parents, counselours,security and a friend. Some childeren are lost but the the teachers are the first to get the heads up some kids have potiental but it all starts at school. They just need guideance but most of the schools are without funds and can't give these kids the resources they need to keep them out of trouble and off the streets. If we had that for them then I could see the crime rates going down. If people are taught how to get funding or resources to help the kids such as; grants and loans to get these programs running then, we could make a difference. I just speaking from experience and I feel sorry for some of these kids but you can't save all of them.

Protesta
07/17/08
12:10 PM

All of the reasons mentioned in your post are valid. So is the observation that even in the face of such odds children still become responsible contributing adults. So where is the problem? Up till now it has been a situation where symptoms are being addressed and not the children themselves. It is not the community. It is not the single working mom. It is not the school system. It is not the government. It is the child.

How can someone say such a thing? We so often forget that they are really just very inexperienced people with all of the instincts, desires, personality traits and psychoses of any other human being. Instead of seeking someone to hold responsible, or a master plan of action that can be applied in a blanket policy, we should be looking at the individual.

It is all too common for children to be held back from natural behavior because it has taken a negative direction or is opposed to current sensibilities. There are positive directions for even the worst manifestations of human behavior. There will always be deviants who cannot be saved. They are a small minority of the population and can still be useful in research and as examples of consequence for actions and behavior. An example of such a program is “Scared Straight”. It gives children a glimpse into the life that awaits their current path.

The first step is to observe the child to discover the natural tendencies and talents. Professional paths that require these talents or variations of such behavior can then be identified. Couple these with the established and emerging interests of the child. This is not to promote behavior but rather to provide options that address the internal needs of the child.

To pick a path for a child and them enslave them to it is quite obviously not the correct answer. The availability and opportunity to directly interact with a multitude of options is by far the only way to allow freedom of choice and personal empowerment.

The second step is to fill their time in a controlled environment that keeps them from the negative influences and involved with positive role models. We must act as advocate and facilitator allowing parents and organizations the opportunity to work with us but not in our place. It is imperative that such aspects as culture and belief be incorporated in a manner that supports the undertaken activities. However such aspects must not interfere with the child’s overall development.

Most if not all human beings have need to be accepted as who they are. Children more than anyone want respect and opportunity. Their definition is far stricter than our own, and true sensibility is just not developed at such time. Something is or is not and anything in between is just confusion. By providing an environment as described above ethical, emotional, and professional interaction can be developed in a way that ensures with as much certainty as possible the child will grow up to become a responsible and contributing adult.

It is worth noting that in most cases, the worse the external environment is to them be it home or community, the more appealing the structured environment will become. This is a huge factor in gang activity. The belonging and the sense of security in numbers and strength, the economic opportunities and ability to earn respect among pears only adds to the problem. And finally the natural instincts of and limited understanding by the child is how they so easily fall prey to such organizations and activities.

Growing up I lived it first hand and I can tell you, lack of opportunity, distressed school environment, abusive home environment, and lack of real interest or time taken in my well being sent me straight into the hands of those who provided structure. They satisfied my need to belong, to rebel, and to feel successful.  So yes it is the child, but it is our fault. We are letting them down.

jdruss
08/07/08
3:08 AM

I have to say I'm shocked nobody has posted a comment to this important subject.

Of course parenting is going to be addressed but I think we really need to  focus on the teachers as well. I've sat in on high school classes as well as my daughters 2nd grade and I'm telling you there is zero personality. You'd get more inspiration from a robot. Where are the teachers we see movies about? Sadly they are few and far between. We need to increase the standards  and rate of pay to that of a professor. We should weed out the drones who should be in a back office and not spending 7 hours with our children grudgingly guiding them into teenagers and adults. A point to ponder .

lisa warren
11/12/08
2:07 PM

I think that it is a combination of all of the factors listed. I am the parent of three teenagers and they are all completely different having been raised exactly the same. I have a responsible well mannered child, one out of control, and one in between. I am a single parent and the father is not involved so that may have an impact on their behavior. Opportunities are not really available to them since I fall into the lower end of the pay scale. I am working on that though after just finishing my Bachelor's here, I am applying for management in the company that I currently am employed. Hopefully this will help the family but at this point, when teenagers are older and almost out of the house, there is not much that can happen that will completely change their way of thinking. This I believe is either in them or it isn't.

I truly believe that parenting does play a role however the impact of what has been accomplished to this point doesn't really measure since all kids are so incredibly different.

Overall, I guess I really don't know what influences this behavior. Thankfully, my teenagers are not in trouble with the law (knock on wood) and hopefully it will stay that way.

Thanks.

Sandra Staton
04/17/09
10:07 PM

They ae not crazy, just misunderstood.  Take time to listen.  Let them speak.  When we ush to judgemnent, we force them into a defensive posture.  The human development cycle knows no boundaries.  Seasons come, and seasons go.  I believe teenagers are similar.  The deliver that which they process and internalize.  We should help them change their seasons by listening.

Donica
01/21/10
9:58 PM

1st we never give up.  That’s never an option because just when you think there is no hope, you will see a teenager who has a break through.  So why are they so crazy, you're right there are so many reasons my views are children now days have to see to believe.  No matter how many "just say no" commercials you see or "safe sex" they have to experience it to believe.  No more I’m afraid of what my parent will do to me or being afraid of the consequences, it’s all about them.  2nd we have so many parents talking at but not talking to their kids.  Sometimes we have to make the first move and make ourselves approachable so that whatever pressures they may have or curiosities we as parents must remember how hard it is to be a teenager.  Lastly no matter how approachable we are they will never come to us and maybe it’s time we get mentors to step in who we can trust to be that second ear to listen and lend a helping hand.  I mean it does take a village and sometimes I think we try too hard to do everything ourselves.