WALKING DOWN THE NARROW HALLWAYS gave me a claustrophobic panic and a feeling that life was being sucked from me slowly, departing in the form of innocence and naiveté. The flickering lights above me cast a shadow on the faces of the delinquents as if physically revealing the conflicted half of a social identity riddled with poor decision making faculties and an improper upbringing.
At first, I felt no compassion for these youths while touring the old Fresno juvenile detention center. It was their wrongdoings that had determined their confined and highly restricted circumstances. The cold, unforgiving benches in their pods could be ideal for pondering and attempting to conceptualize the fragile societal web that requires appropriate conduct for optimal functionality.
Soon, an inevitable question entered my mind: Where the heck were their parents?
I understand that, in the equation of crime, there is a great deal of unknown variables. We can only speculate on crime’s enabling factors with the aid of “Uniform Crime Reportsâ€Â and “Victimization Surveyâ€Â data. However, for juveniles, the driving forces are seemingly more concise.
With proper parental control and guidance, a child should not even be exposed to an environment that would be conducive to committing crimes and social wrong doings. Beyond the walls of their homes, school should be the only arena in which a youth would run the risk of being poorly influenced however, a proper upbringing would equip the child with the ability to make appropriate decisions to avoid this.
As I walked the halls of the detention center, the juveniles were partaking in a variety of activities to pass the time. Card games were being played, pictures were being drawn and, on occasion, obscenities were being shouted from behind a few pod doors.
Weren’t these activities things that could be done at home? Have the juvenile detention “campusesâ€Â become an opportunity for parents to dodge accountability and their parental responsibilities?
While the Fresno area has newly built and opened a detention center, I have recently grown increasingly confused by the city’s priorities and, ticked off by the tax strain that has been placed upon the public to fund this juvenile delinquent system. From my personal observations, these detention facilities serve to accomplish very little in the way of reform while allowing irresponsible parents an opportunity to let the city do what they could not — watch their kids!
Parents and their youths seemingly have no concept of ethical and moral reasoning, a leading factor of recidivism. Without some form of a solid cognitive reasoning system, it is impossible to correct the situation.
Are the juvenile detention facilities worth it?
Well, they absolutely could be with some minor program and criminal process enhancements.
First, decks of cards should be replaced with literature of ethical and moral philosophy. Instead of learning how to gamble, the youths can attempt to understand the role that they play in society and how their actions affect others.
Second, the juveniles’ detention experience should be funded entirely by the family. If the immediate parents can not afford the bill, then it should be dispersed amongst the next nearest relatives. If poor parenting is indeed the cause of these wrong-doings, then the whole family should be penalized. Parenting ideology is not “made out of thin airâ€Â rather, is based familiar experience and influence.
Lastly, the parents should be forced to serve a portion of the sentence with their child. This time together could prove to enhance their relationship, be an educational experience, and maintain parental accountability all in tandem.
I do understand that it is much more complicated than that but, based on my tour of the detention center, and being a product of strong parenting, I know that holding parents accountable for their children is definitely a step in the right direction.
Oh yeah, and don̢۪t let your children run around in department stores either.
It̢۪s really annoying.
Jonathan Lane • May 3, 2008 at 12:01 am
Word! SO CAL FOR LIFE!!!
Jonathan Lane • May 3, 2008 at 7:01 am
Word! SO CAL FOR LIFE!!!
Jonathan Lane • May 3, 2008 at 7:01 am
Word! SO CAL FOR LIFE!!!
Brian Crist • May 2, 2008 at 11:45 pm
My crack dealer always tells me, “Brian…if you relieve a man’s suffering, then you are a Christian, but if you ask why he suffers, then you are a communist.” Just last night when I was talking to him, I had to ask him, “What does it make you if you penalize a man for circumstances beyond his control?” My dealer didn’t have an answer for that question, but if he would have taken his mind off his money for a minute, I suspect he would have said “the product of good parenting.”
Your reasoning is more “question begging” and less “slippery slope.” I know that sort of thing has its appeal to some students, but damn it, you’re a bulldog.
We, the student body of CSU, Fresno thank you for writing, collectively smoke a quarter-piece in your honor, and wish that y’all never find yourselves in circumstances beyond your control.
Peace.
Brian Crist • May 3, 2008 at 6:45 am
My crack dealer always tells me, “Brian…if you relieve a man’s suffering, then you are a Christian, but if you ask why he suffers, then you are a communist.” Just last night when I was talking to him, I had to ask him, “What does it make you if you penalize a man for circumstances beyond his control?” My dealer didn’t have an answer for that question, but if he would have taken his mind off his money for a minute, I suspect he would have said “the product of good parenting.”
Your reasoning is more “question begging” and less “slippery slope.” I know that sort of thing has its appeal to some students, but damn it, you’re a bulldog.
We, the student body of CSU, Fresno thank you for writing, collectively smoke a quarter-piece in your honor, and wish that y’all never find yourselves in circumstances beyond your control.
Peace.
Brian Crist • May 3, 2008 at 6:45 am
My crack dealer always tells me, “Brian…if you relieve a man’s suffering, then you are a Christian, but if you ask why he suffers, then you are a communist.” Just last night when I was talking to him, I had to ask him, “What does it make you if you penalize a man for circumstances beyond his control?” My dealer didn’t have an answer for that question, but if he would have taken his mind off his money for a minute, I suspect he would have said “the product of good parenting.”
Your reasoning is more “question begging” and less “slippery slope.” I know that sort of thing has its appeal to some students, but damn it, you’re a bulldog.
We, the student body of CSU, Fresno thank you for writing, collectively smoke a quarter-piece in your honor, and wish that y’all never find yourselves in circumstances beyond your control.
Peace.
Brian Crist • May 2, 2008 at 6:58 pm
Word!
Brian Crist • May 3, 2008 at 1:58 am
Word!
Brian Crist • May 3, 2008 at 1:58 am
Word!
Jonathon Lane • May 2, 2008 at 12:35 am
Brian, thank you for your response and thank you for recognizing my privileged upbringing! Your sarcastic (yet appreciated) suggestion that grandparents and great-grandparents should pay for the juvenile’s detention is “spot on!” What you suggest makes perfect sense! Thank you for agreeing. I know that a small population of the student body reads the paper however, its really rewarding to know that students actually follow suit with my very own position.
Tolerance is very important…no doubt about it! I am very tolerant of the child who is young and makes poor decisions. I can say, with confidence, that I am completely intolerant of any parent who does not honor and provide for their children’s well being. This is an act that is completely inexcusable! If some poor crack addict bares an illegitimate child, the same proper care for that child is expected, regardless of how irresponsible that parent might be.
Regardless of the dirty social circumstances that might exist in our own communities, we can not afford to sacrifice our standards. While it might be “slippery slope” reasoning, the second that we accept negligent parenting practices is the second that we are welcoming a new standard of parenting practice that supports complete absence and unlawful conduct.
Thank you again for your response, the Collegian is truly appreciative of you interest!
Jonathon Lane • May 2, 2008 at 7:35 am
Brian, thank you for your response and thank you for recognizing my privileged upbringing! Your sarcastic (yet appreciated) suggestion that grandparents and great-grandparents should pay for the juvenile’s detention is “spot on!” What you suggest makes perfect sense! Thank you for agreeing. I know that a small population of the student body reads the paper however, its really rewarding to know that students actually follow suit with my very own position.
Tolerance is very important…no doubt about it! I am very tolerant of the child who is young and makes poor decisions. I can say, with confidence, that I am completely intolerant of any parent who does not honor and provide for their children’s well being. This is an act that is completely inexcusable! If some poor crack addict bares an illegitimate child, the same proper care for that child is expected, regardless of how irresponsible that parent might be.
Regardless of the dirty social circumstances that might exist in our own communities, we can not afford to sacrifice our standards. While it might be “slippery slope” reasoning, the second that we accept negligent parenting practices is the second that we are welcoming a new standard of parenting practice that supports complete absence and unlawful conduct.
Thank you again for your response, the Collegian is truly appreciative of you interest!
Jonathon Lane • May 2, 2008 at 7:35 am
Brian, thank you for your response and thank you for recognizing my privileged upbringing! Your sarcastic (yet appreciated) suggestion that grandparents and great-grandparents should pay for the juvenile’s detention is “spot on!” What you suggest makes perfect sense! Thank you for agreeing. I know that a small population of the student body reads the paper however, its really rewarding to know that students actually follow suit with my very own position.
Tolerance is very important…no doubt about it! I am very tolerant of the child who is young and makes poor decisions. I can say, with confidence, that I am completely intolerant of any parent who does not honor and provide for their children’s well being. This is an act that is completely inexcusable! If some poor crack addict bares an illegitimate child, the same proper care for that child is expected, regardless of how irresponsible that parent might be.
Regardless of the dirty social circumstances that might exist in our own communities, we can not afford to sacrifice our standards. While it might be “slippery slope” reasoning, the second that we accept negligent parenting practices is the second that we are welcoming a new standard of parenting practice that supports complete absence and unlawful conduct.
Thank you again for your response, the Collegian is truly appreciative of you interest!
Brian Crist • May 1, 2008 at 10:46 pm
That’s absolute crap Jon. You should pay for the kids’ confinement. Ok, that’s too simple, but it is consistent with your reasoning. Also, since “bad parenting” is the cause of the problem, why not ask the grandparents of the offenders to pay too since they provided the bad parenting that provided the bad parenting…or maybe the offenders’ great grandparents. You were the product of strong parenting? By what measure? Truly strong parenting necessarily includes instilling tolerance in children. While you approach tolerance in overlooking the role of the authorities in creating the conditions that you claim to find a problem with, you are intolerant of those who didn’t have the good fortune to be the products of ‘strong parenting.’
Brian Crist • May 2, 2008 at 5:46 am
That’s absolute crap Jon. You should pay for the kids’ confinement. Ok, that’s too simple, but it is consistent with your reasoning. Also, since “bad parenting” is the cause of the problem, why not ask the grandparents of the offenders to pay too since they provided the bad parenting that provided the bad parenting…or maybe the offenders’ great grandparents. You were the product of strong parenting? By what measure? Truly strong parenting necessarily includes instilling tolerance in children. While you approach tolerance in overlooking the role of the authorities in creating the conditions that you claim to find a problem with, you are intolerant of those who didn’t have the good fortune to be the products of ‘strong parenting.’
Brian Crist • May 2, 2008 at 5:46 am
That’s absolute crap Jon. You should pay for the kids’ confinement. Ok, that’s too simple, but it is consistent with your reasoning. Also, since “bad parenting” is the cause of the problem, why not ask the grandparents of the offenders to pay too since they provided the bad parenting that provided the bad parenting…or maybe the offenders’ great grandparents. You were the product of strong parenting? By what measure? Truly strong parenting necessarily includes instilling tolerance in children. While you approach tolerance in overlooking the role of the authorities in creating the conditions that you claim to find a problem with, you are intolerant of those who didn’t have the good fortune to be the products of ‘strong parenting.’
js • Apr 22, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Good article, to many assumptions. More facts would have helped. But overall a good article.
One cant really judge these parents or children until one has walked in their shoes.
js • Apr 22, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Good article, to many assumptions. More facts would have helped. But overall a good article.
One cant really judge these parents or children until one has walked in their shoes.
js • Apr 22, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Good article, to many assumptions. More facts would have helped. But overall a good article.
One cant really judge these parents or children until one has walked in their shoes.
Starbrite • Apr 18, 2008 at 1:47 pm
I apologize it has taken so long to respond. It̢۪s been a tough semester and the connection was to overwhelming to continue.
I think as a community we can begin to develop positive forces where delinquency is common to establish a new set of conditions. It is a complicated sociological and psychological exploration and I am not qualified; however, I know that being broke and out of sort can lead to doing the wrong things. We find ourselves doing things that are not acceptable in the eye of the dominating norm.
If I was accepting of FSU’s dominating norms, I’d be more colorful, socially and culturally capable…lol I’m so saturated with blood drives that red is depressing me too.
I’m reminded of Eddie Murphy’s…â€Âshe likes to/party all the time/party all the time/party all the time
I would rather just chill with a flower child and escape the demons of past lemons…lol
What are the culturally accepted norms? It certainly isn’t an under aged drinker, but even under aged drinkers are human beings and feel the strain of dogma and the strains imposed by the dominating norms – I heard one young female say she wasn’t cool because she wasn’t in a sorority. That made me laugh, so I bought her a drink and took her home, j/k : ) How much should we bend conventions to salvage a life?
For some parents it hurts to see their child getting dumped for getting an education and spending time with cool people.
Changing perceptions.
Starbrite • Apr 18, 2008 at 8:47 pm
I apologize it has taken so long to respond. It’s been a tough semester and the connection was to overwhelming to continue.
I think as a community we can begin to develop positive forces where delinquency is common to establish a new set of conditions. It is a complicated sociological and psychological exploration and I am not qualified; however, I know that being broke and out of sort can lead to doing the wrong things. We find ourselves doing things that are not acceptable in the eye of the dominating norm.
If I was accepting of FSU’s dominating norms, I’d be more colorful, socially and culturally capable…lol I’m so saturated with blood drives that red is depressing me too.
I’m reminded of Eddie Murphy’s…”she likes to/party all the time/party all the time/party all the time
I would rather just chill with a flower child and escape the demons of past lemons…lol
What are the culturally accepted norms? It certainly isn’t an under aged drinker, but even under aged drinkers are human beings and feel the strain of dogma and the strains imposed by the dominating norms ”“ I heard one young female say she wasn’t cool because she wasn’t in a sorority. That made me laugh, so I bought her a drink and took her home, j/k : ) How much should we bend conventions to salvage a life?
For some parents it hurts to see their child getting dumped for getting an education and spending time with cool people.
Changing perceptions.
Starbrite • Apr 18, 2008 at 8:47 pm
I apologize it has taken so long to respond. It’s been a tough semester and the connection was to overwhelming to continue.
I think as a community we can begin to develop positive forces where delinquency is common to establish a new set of conditions. It is a complicated sociological and psychological exploration and I am not qualified; however, I know that being broke and out of sort can lead to doing the wrong things. We find ourselves doing things that are not acceptable in the eye of the dominating norm.
If I was accepting of FSU’s dominating norms, I’d be more colorful, socially and culturally capable…lol I’m so saturated with blood drives that red is depressing me too.
I’m reminded of Eddie Murphy’s…”she likes to/party all the time/party all the time/party all the time
I would rather just chill with a flower child and escape the demons of past lemons…lol
What are the culturally accepted norms? It certainly isn’t an under aged drinker, but even under aged drinkers are human beings and feel the strain of dogma and the strains imposed by the dominating norms ”“ I heard one young female say she wasn’t cool because she wasn’t in a sorority. That made me laugh, so I bought her a drink and took her home, j/k : ) How much should we bend conventions to salvage a life?
For some parents it hurts to see their child getting dumped for getting an education and spending time with cool people.
Changing perceptions.
Jonathan Lane • Apr 13, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Thank you for your response and I am very pleased that you wish to post this column as an example for your students. I hope that this article will contribute to an excellent column writing experience for them.
Jonathan Lane • Apr 14, 2008 at 5:34 am
Thank you for your response and I am very pleased that you wish to post this column as an example for your students. I hope that this article will contribute to an excellent column writing experience for them.
Jonathan Lane • Apr 14, 2008 at 5:34 am
Thank you for your response and I am very pleased that you wish to post this column as an example for your students. I hope that this article will contribute to an excellent column writing experience for them.
Prof. Eileen Walsh • Apr 13, 2008 at 12:31 pm
I’m going to post this to Blackboard for my students. They are writing an op/ed column, and while I require some reference to historical evidence and you did not include any, this is still a good example for them. You did a great job of delineating a problem and suggesting possible solutions. And it was interesting to read. Like some of your respondents, I am bothered by implicit assumptions you make (not about ethnicity but, for instance, about how much power you think parents and relatives have). Realistically, I can imagine a few dozen problems with what you suggest but you know, everything that is put into policy has potential pitfalls. We have to start somewhere. This column does that. I hope my students do as well as you did!
I especially agree about kids let loose in department stores.
Prof. Eileen Walsh • Apr 13, 2008 at 7:31 pm
I’m going to post this to Blackboard for my students. They are writing an op/ed column, and while I require some reference to historical evidence and you did not include any, this is still a good example for them. You did a great job of delineating a problem and suggesting possible solutions. And it was interesting to read. Like some of your respondents, I am bothered by implicit assumptions you make (not about ethnicity but, for instance, about how much power you think parents and relatives have). Realistically, I can imagine a few dozen problems with what you suggest but you know, everything that is put into policy has potential pitfalls. We have to start somewhere. This column does that. I hope my students do as well as you did!
I especially agree about kids let loose in department stores.
Prof. Eileen Walsh • Apr 13, 2008 at 7:31 pm
I’m going to post this to Blackboard for my students. They are writing an op/ed column, and while I require some reference to historical evidence and you did not include any, this is still a good example for them. You did a great job of delineating a problem and suggesting possible solutions. And it was interesting to read. Like some of your respondents, I am bothered by implicit assumptions you make (not about ethnicity but, for instance, about how much power you think parents and relatives have). Realistically, I can imagine a few dozen problems with what you suggest but you know, everything that is put into policy has potential pitfalls. We have to start somewhere. This column does that. I hope my students do as well as you did!
I especially agree about kids let loose in department stores.
Jonathan Lane • Apr 12, 2008 at 4:48 pm
…?
Jonathan Lane • Apr 12, 2008 at 11:48 pm
…?
Jonathan Lane • Apr 12, 2008 at 11:48 pm
…?
Starbright • Apr 12, 2008 at 11:13 am
Mr. Lane, awesome rhetorical effort. What is innocence?
Internalizing, I wonder why I allow myself to be swept by the pessimism in our Dog community. Could it be the generalized composite image of our school?
Signs of depression:
Panic
Anxiety
Declining grades
Liter
Destruction (have you seen the Peter’s Building lately)
Declining attendance
Declining admission
Increased drop-out rate
And we have the audacity to blame alcoholism and sweep the real problems under the rug (alcoholism contributes, so it is time to throw out the bottle of scotch from the ‘teachers’ drawer). The solution – study harder. I don’t mean to take this off into a tangent; I couldn’t get past the first two sentences of your article.
Now, I am an optimist, money driven enthusiast and still my English instructor has the nerve to question my charge in life – “is it all about money” – he asks.
A resolve for all this pessimism would be start a flower child movement, take a trip to the nearest nudist colony and attend Church to inhale the Good News: in which I believe in.
Alternatively, let̢۪s grade our teachers harder. And perhaps through the process of natural law we can find a solution for the depression.
If this has inspired any solution thank Lindo in who has answered his glamorized call of duty.
Starbright • Apr 12, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Mr. Lane, awesome rhetorical effort. What is innocence?
Internalizing, I wonder why I allow myself to be swept by the pessimism in our Dog community. Could it be the generalized composite image of our school?
Signs of depression:
Panic
Anxiety
Declining grades
Liter
Destruction (have you seen the Peter’s Building lately)
Declining attendance
Declining admission
Increased drop-out rate
And we have the audacity to blame alcoholism and sweep the real problems under the rug (alcoholism contributes, so it is time to throw out the bottle of scotch from the ‘teachers’ drawer). The solution – study harder. I don’t mean to take this off into a tangent; I couldn’t get past the first two sentences of your article.
Now, I am an optimist, money driven enthusiast and still my English instructor has the nerve to question my charge in life – “is it all about money” – he asks.
A resolve for all this pessimism would be start a flower child movement, take a trip to the nearest nudist colony and attend Church to inhale the Good News: in which I believe in.
Alternatively, let’s grade our teachers harder. And perhaps through the process of natural law we can find a solution for the depression.
If this has inspired any solution thank Lindo in who has answered his glamorized call of duty.
Starbright • Apr 12, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Mr. Lane, awesome rhetorical effort. What is innocence?
Internalizing, I wonder why I allow myself to be swept by the pessimism in our Dog community. Could it be the generalized composite image of our school?
Signs of depression:
Panic
Anxiety
Declining grades
Liter
Destruction (have you seen the Peter’s Building lately)
Declining attendance
Declining admission
Increased drop-out rate
And we have the audacity to blame alcoholism and sweep the real problems under the rug (alcoholism contributes, so it is time to throw out the bottle of scotch from the ‘teachers’ drawer). The solution – study harder. I don’t mean to take this off into a tangent; I couldn’t get past the first two sentences of your article.
Now, I am an optimist, money driven enthusiast and still my English instructor has the nerve to question my charge in life – “is it all about money” – he asks.
A resolve for all this pessimism would be start a flower child movement, take a trip to the nearest nudist colony and attend Church to inhale the Good News: in which I believe in.
Alternatively, let’s grade our teachers harder. And perhaps through the process of natural law we can find a solution for the depression.
If this has inspired any solution thank Lindo in who has answered his glamorized call of duty.
Jonathan Lane • Apr 8, 2008 at 9:50 pm
The Collegian Staff Comment
Thank you for your input! Admittingly, the situation is far more complicated than I have made it out to be (such is the nature of crime). Just to be clear, at no point did I suggest that any ethnicity was more prone to crime than any other and, studies reflect that poverty can not be to blame while individuals from all demographics and socioeconomic walks of life committ a great deal and variety of crime for many “reasons”. Poverty and ethnicity are simply two theories and, at best, the driving forces of crime are most likely a combination of many factors. Regardless of the advantages that the world of academia might have or the disadvantages of the poor, EVERY PARENT has an equal responsibility to be held accountable for their child’s safety, well-being, health, and actions (until he/she is legally considered to be an adult). A parent stricken with the struggles of poverty provides he or she with no excuse to allow his/her child to be exposed to a life of crime.
As for the philosophy readings, I was attempting to be somewhat light hearted however, these juviniles have a great deal of time on their hands and are forced to do what is asked of them. I dont think a “dumbed down” version of ethical theory would be too much of a stretch. Anyone can understand that consequentialism relies on increasing good for as many people as possible while limiting the bad in tandem. This is a basic philosophical approach to ethics that anyone can grasp.
Thank you for reading. Its nice to see a set of eyes actually hit these articles from time to time.
-Jonathan
Jonathan Lane • Apr 9, 2008 at 4:50 am
The Collegian Staff Comment
Thank you for your input! Admittingly, the situation is far more complicated than I have made it out to be (such is the nature of crime). Just to be clear, at no point did I suggest that any ethnicity was more prone to crime than any other and, studies reflect that poverty can not be to blame while individuals from all demographics and socioeconomic walks of life committ a great deal and variety of crime for many “reasons”. Poverty and ethnicity are simply two theories and, at best, the driving forces of crime are most likely a combination of many factors. Regardless of the advantages that the world of academia might have or the disadvantages of the poor, EVERY PARENT has an equal responsibility to be held accountable for their child’s safety, well-being, health, and actions (until he/she is legally considered to be an adult). A parent stricken with the struggles of poverty provides he or she with no excuse to allow his/her child to be exposed to a life of crime.
As for the philosophy readings, I was attempting to be somewhat light hearted however, these juviniles have a great deal of time on their hands and are forced to do what is asked of them. I dont think a “dumbed down” version of ethical theory would be too much of a stretch. Anyone can understand that consequentialism relies on increasing good for as many people as possible while limiting the bad in tandem. This is a basic philosophical approach to ethics that anyone can grasp.
Thank you for reading. Its nice to see a set of eyes actually hit these articles from time to time.
-Jonathan
Jonathan Lane • Apr 9, 2008 at 4:50 am
The Collegian Staff Comment
Thank you for your input! Admittingly, the situation is far more complicated than I have made it out to be (such is the nature of crime). Just to be clear, at no point did I suggest that any ethnicity was more prone to crime than any other and, studies reflect that poverty can not be to blame while individuals from all demographics and socioeconomic walks of life committ a great deal and variety of crime for many “reasons”. Poverty and ethnicity are simply two theories and, at best, the driving forces of crime are most likely a combination of many factors. Regardless of the advantages that the world of academia might have or the disadvantages of the poor, EVERY PARENT has an equal responsibility to be held accountable for their child’s safety, well-being, health, and actions (until he/she is legally considered to be an adult). A parent stricken with the struggles of poverty provides he or she with no excuse to allow his/her child to be exposed to a life of crime.
As for the philosophy readings, I was attempting to be somewhat light hearted however, these juviniles have a great deal of time on their hands and are forced to do what is asked of them. I dont think a “dumbed down” version of ethical theory would be too much of a stretch. Anyone can understand that consequentialism relies on increasing good for as many people as possible while limiting the bad in tandem. This is a basic philosophical approach to ethics that anyone can grasp.
Thank you for reading. Its nice to see a set of eyes actually hit these articles from time to time.
-Jonathan
Whatever • Apr 8, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Yeah, and if only people unsuited for parenthood just stopped having kids. And if only ghettos didn’t exist.
You admitted that crime is more complicated than you put it, but I’d like to watch you try to get a bunch of child thugs to read about philosophy and morality! You can’t even get high school or college kids to do that most of the time.
Plenty of kids from the inner city have good parents and turn out to be good citizens, but most of the college population has had every advantage and would have to work at it to end up in that kind of situation. Is it a coincidence they are mostly white? Doubtful. And I wonder how many white kids were in the detention center.
Symptoms of poverty, not ethnicity!
I did like the idea of forcing the parents to spend time in the kiddie slammer. Sadly, a lot of the parents are probably already in prison or worse than the children.
Whatever • Apr 8, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Yeah, and if only people unsuited for parenthood just stopped having kids. And if only ghettos didn’t exist.
You admitted that crime is more complicated than you put it, but I’d like to watch you try to get a bunch of child thugs to read about philosophy and morality! You can’t even get high school or college kids to do that most of the time.
Plenty of kids from the inner city have good parents and turn out to be good citizens, but most of the college population has had every advantage and would have to work at it to end up in that kind of situation. Is it a coincidence they are mostly white? Doubtful. And I wonder how many white kids were in the detention center.
Symptoms of poverty, not ethnicity!
I did like the idea of forcing the parents to spend time in the kiddie slammer. Sadly, a lot of the parents are probably already in prison or worse than the children.
Whatever • Apr 8, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Yeah, and if only people unsuited for parenthood just stopped having kids. And if only ghettos didn’t exist.
You admitted that crime is more complicated than you put it, but I’d like to watch you try to get a bunch of child thugs to read about philosophy and morality! You can’t even get high school or college kids to do that most of the time.
Plenty of kids from the inner city have good parents and turn out to be good citizens, but most of the college population has had every advantage and would have to work at it to end up in that kind of situation. Is it a coincidence they are mostly white? Doubtful. And I wonder how many white kids were in the detention center.
Symptoms of poverty, not ethnicity!
I did like the idea of forcing the parents to spend time in the kiddie slammer. Sadly, a lot of the parents are probably already in prison or worse than the children.
Timmy G. • Apr 7, 2008 at 8:55 pm
Good stuff John. I agree with the trading the cards for literature and training. I do think parents in society need to step it up more, but a lot of these kids do have single moms that can’t be everywhere and everything. Thats why I like the title of this piece. You have a communal view about parenting and thats actually not as modern as I’d like of a thought. Its very old, but maybe people will see that as a good thing and begin to live not just for themselves. Families do need to pull together.
Timmy G.
Timmy G. • Apr 8, 2008 at 3:55 am
Good stuff John. I agree with the trading the cards for literature and training. I do think parents in society need to step it up more, but a lot of these kids do have single moms that can’t be everywhere and everything. Thats why I like the title of this piece. You have a communal view about parenting and thats actually not as modern as I’d like of a thought. Its very old, but maybe people will see that as a good thing and begin to live not just for themselves. Families do need to pull together.
Timmy G.
Timmy G. • Apr 8, 2008 at 3:55 am
Good stuff John. I agree with the trading the cards for literature and training. I do think parents in society need to step it up more, but a lot of these kids do have single moms that can’t be everywhere and everything. Thats why I like the title of this piece. You have a communal view about parenting and thats actually not as modern as I’d like of a thought. Its very old, but maybe people will see that as a good thing and begin to live not just for themselves. Families do need to pull together.
Timmy G.
noops • Apr 7, 2008 at 2:03 pm
nice piece j-lane. thats an awesome experience – how did you manage to take a stroll in the detention center?
looking forward to the next one
noop
noops • Apr 7, 2008 at 9:03 pm
nice piece j-lane. thats an awesome experience – how did you manage to take a stroll in the detention center?
looking forward to the next one
noop
noops • Apr 7, 2008 at 9:03 pm
nice piece j-lane. thats an awesome experience – how did you manage to take a stroll in the detention center?
looking forward to the next one
noop