Anonymous asked this question on 2/6/2000:
Doing a research project on the attitude of young adults towards police oficers. Need information on what you think we should focus on.
peekobooicu gave this response on 2/7/2000:
Dear Anonymous,
RE; JUVENILE ATTITUDE ----------------------
This is a two-fold question and I will in part answer your question.
Children have been given the power to lash out at anyone who has POWER OF AUTHORITY.
We use the word sparingly as since the Government has taken the Rights of the Parent away and handed it to the child/ren on a silver plater to act out anyway they chose without fear of punixhment because the Government said, DON"T YOU DARE HIT, YELL, SCREAM, use any kind of verbal or physical abuse no matter what the child did and you will be THROWN IN JAIL. This sits very nicely on the mind of a child and to even further the authority issue, and if the parent is waned in front of the child then its even more power the child has. They can lip you off, swear at you, abuse you but as soon as you raise your voice of your hand to this child you are arrested. This is put into a childs hear from a very early age. By the time the child gets old enough he/she has the parent right where they want them, In the palm of their hands. I can still go on a bit further but I would like to pose a question please and it may help in the answer:
I lock my 15/16 year old son in his room cause all he wants to do is hang out with his friends, he calls the police and tells them that he is being held prisoner, the police come and unlock the child and warn the parents that that is not allowed, the son goes out and robs a bank.
WHO IS TO BLAME, THE MOTHER WHO KNEW THIS WOULD HAPPEN, OR THE POLICE WHO LET HIM OUT TO DO IT????
This age thing is a bummer too. They are so well buffered and protected behind the Young offenders act that is more for the offender than for the victims and their families.
The children have too much freedom and its time the parents grabbed plackards and said we want our children back and to discipline them anyway we see fit and to take control back in my own house. I also have a second answer but I do look forward to your comment on this answer.
Sincerely,
Annie