vision2020
RE: change the teen culture
Dearest friends,
The only way to change teen culture is to get the parents to actually
parent! We can sit here and talk about what a crappy society we have and how
it corrupts our children but when it comes down to it... the parents are the
problem. You look at the good kids, the nice civilized ones... then look at
their parents. The problem is that most of today's parents are what I call
x-lax parents! Since the parents themselves have not learned how to control
their temper and to discipline themselves and live an ethical and civilized
life we are not surprised that their children end up to terrorize the
neighborhood.
On the other hand we have the parents who want to be involved with their
children but since today both parents have to work to survive there is no
time to even spend a little time everyday with our kids. Children need
direction... they need to know that the parents are consistent and there for
them. They need constancy and discipline not personal freedom! If we raise
them properly they will gradually grow to be responsible and only then do
they earn increasing amount of freedom. Freedom is earned... if you are not
a responsible member of society... you do not deserve freedom.
The parents of all the children we have witnessed committing violent acts as
well as the parents of those kids who torture other children by name calling
or threatening have failed and failed miserably. True our world has become
materialistic, selfish, ruthless and unbearable but it is still the
responsibility of the parent to raise their children as human beings. The
children with self-esteem problems are the ones who are ignored and left
alone. They are not strong because they were not properly nurtured. How
could they be when they were raised by babysitters, daycare, and the TV. By
the time the parents come home they have to get things done around the house
and have no time for the children. In our quest for a better life... we
forgot what our responsibility as a parent is... we are the care takers
entrusted with caring and nurturing of these beautiful children and we are
turning them to monsters. We are so busy getting more money that we forget
what we wanted it for to begin with. We are increasingly inadequate as
parents. That is the problem... it has nothing to do with TV and society at
large... it is we... the parents! Why do we have gangs? Look at the gang
member's parents! Why do we have children who do not possess strong
character? Look at the parents! With proper parenting all of our social
problems will go away... we will no longer have children acting violently,
or steal, or lie, or treat others with disrespect... in fact every adult out
there is somebody's kid and they are the way they are because of the way
they were raised. The key to fixing out society is within the way we parent.
Your brother in arms,
Shahab...
Shahab Mesbah
Technical Director
Meteor Light Labs
(208) 883-9765
-----Original Message-----
From: Lois Melina [mailto:lmelina@moscow.com]
Sent: Saturday, April 07, 2001 2:55 PM
To: vision2020@moscow.com
Subject: change the teen culture
With news of school shootings and reports of increased drug use
among high
school students in towns like Genesee, many people are wondering what can
be done to change the culture in our schools. Some states are considering
legislation to outlaw "bullying."
There is an opportunity this summer for teens from our area to learn
about
the ways they make choices; to learn how to operate from a position of
accountability; and to learn how to recognize the self-limiting beliefs
they have about themselves ("I'm too fat," "I'm too stupid," "No one would
want to be friends with me,") that get in the way of success in school, at
home, and in relationships.
A 4-1/2 day seminar will be offered for teens June 27 to July 1 in
Walla
Walla. During the seminar, teens will engage in a variety of games and
activities that help them learn about themselves and learn how to look at
the choices they have before taking action rather than after.
Teens who complete the seminar frequently experience more
self-confidence,
improved relationships with parents and peers, and greater leadership.
Teens in our area who complete the seminar will also have access to a
support group so that they can regularly meet with other teens and adults
for fun and support in making choices that enhance their lives and the
lives of those around them.
The seminar is being hosted by a group of parents from Moscow, Walla
Walla, and Tri Cities. Moscow parents involved are: Kathy and Dana Dawes,
Bill and Heidi Holman, Lois and Carl Melina. The seminar will be
professionally facilitated by a company based in Arizona that has put on
similar seminars all over the world.
A more detailed article about three Moscow High School seniors who
attended the seminar last summer will be in Sunday's Spokesman-Review.
The seminar is open to teens 14-18 years old, and is useful for all
teens--those who are struggling with the choices they are making, those who
are followers but could be leaders, as well as those who are already
operating in a leadership capacity.
The fee for the four-and-a-half day seminar is $500, which includes
all
fees, food, and lodging. Some scholarships are available, and we are
actively seeking donations so that we can make sure every teen who wants to
attend can do so.
There will be a meeting Tuesday, April 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Gritman
Hospital
for all teens and parents interested in learning more about this
opportunity.
If you are interested in sponsoring a teen or making a
tax-deductible
donation toward the fees for a teen, please contact me or one of the other
parents. Donations are tax-deductible and should be made out to the
Northwest Family Visions Foundation c/o Carl Melina, 1026 Kasper Road,
Moscow ID 83843.
For more information, contact me or any of the other parents, or
visit the
website: www.oregontrail.net/~captken
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