Something has made it acceptable to children of today to consider violence their only option. I think it is a combination of things and I think that Mandochop and Chet, both, have very valid points.There is a warning out in COlorado right now; gang initiates are driving aorund with their lights off, at night, waiting for someone to flash their lights at them. In order to be fully a member they have to follow that car and kill its occupants.
What in heaven's name is making kids think that is the way to live? Tv, movies, home life, music. I think they are overloaded. we can say, we saw those things when growing up, too, but it was nowhere near as prevelant, even when my kids were younger.
I've been thinking about this a lot, lately. Sometimes, it feels like we are under seige by the angry and violent young people. I have to remember to tell myself to look at the kids who aren't in the news, who don't act out their anger in destructive ways. Still...my youngest at 22, has always felt her generation would see an all-out, bloody and violent revolution, and she's always been a bit "fey". I hope that she is wrong.
Wishful thinking - that every parent would limit tv, watch it with their kids and teach them critical thinking, as well as movies and music, and the Web. sadly, I do not believe the majority of parents are able or willing. So what do we do?