Any older folk out there (over the age of 36 PLEASE)...answer my question!!!?

Question

Do you think that the youth of these past few decades are worse than the ones you saw in your day? If so, what seems to be lacking? What, in your opinion, can be done to (or needs to be done) to bring the vast majority of modern kids back from being little mindless hellians? What should parents adopt to raise better mannered, and respectful kids these days?

Oh yes, forgot to add...what is your take on the beloved and revered Guru of parenting, Dr. Sears?

Answer 1

Parents today are afraid to discipline their children. The kids are taught that if mommy or daddy spanks them, they are to tell. Teachers teach them that at a young age now. A spanking is different than a beating. Children have to learn that there are consequences to whatever they do. And a big thing is that parents don't follow through on punishments. If you tell the child you are gonna spank them if they do it again, then spank them. If you are gonna ground them for a week, then leave it at a week. Don't let them off for the special dance at school or dinner with friends. No matter how hard it is, follow through. But make the punishment fit the crime. But mostly, be involved in their lives and love them always.

Answer 2

Not that I'm thrilled with being labeled an "older folk" at the ripe old age of 43, but no, I don't think the youth of the past few decades are worse than the ones from the good old days. I don't think they're better, either. They are just trying to grow up and become adults, just like young people always have done.
Yes, in the old days of my youth, kids were still interested in persons of the opposite sex, in partying and seeing what they could get away with, in sneaking out, and all those other things kids do.
But just like today, kids still cared about their friends, still had their interests and priorities and hopes and dreams and everything that comes with those growing up years.
And no, not all kids are "little mindless hellians." I often have better, more interesting conversations with my teenaged sons and their friends than some people my own age or older.
It's fun to hear their take on life and their opinions on the government, on war, movies, girlfriends, music and more.
And what should parents do to have "better mannered and respectful kids?"
Well, there were plenty of kids back in the good old days who were ill-mannered, disrepectful and rude too.
If you want your kids to be well mannered and respectful, then you have to treat them with manners and respect too. Talk to them and listen to what they have to say. Treat their opinions with respect and allow them independence and dignity. Teach them from when they're young that other people's opinions matter too, and that while they're important, so are other people and that the world doesn't revolve around them.
And most of all, love them, despite their imperfections...and don't refer to them as mindless hellians, or they will become just what you call them.

Answer 3

I don't have a take on Dr. Sears......

I think discipline is a key issue. So many parents are afraid of hurting their children. The real hurt is when they are let to get away with anything and everything. Concrete rules with consequences is a first step.

Moms, stay home with your children. Especially while they are young. It can be done. Put your children first, in front of the cars, house, vacations etc.

Role model what a good mother is, treat your husband with respect. Be joyful. Give your children the gift of time.

Parents need to parent, not pass it off to others, ie. schools, daycares, churches, etc.

Answer 4

Oh, that's easy. PARENTING is lacking. DISCIPLINE is lacking. RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY is lacking. CONSEQUENCES for behavior are lacking. Everyone likes to blame the media, which does have its effects, but it couldn't if parents were monitoring and discussing programming with their children. The "kinder, gentler rearing of children" has produced a couple of generations of little entitlement-driven monsters. Oh, and not just parents. Public establishments. Since when is it okay to run through a store like a demon, smashing into things, occassionally breaking items, and screaming bloody murder while mommy stands idle, oblivious to all? Back to "please remove your child" or "your break it, you bought it" would help a lot, too. And you know what, I'm even SEEING signs of that in some of my little neighborhood shops.

Answer 5

I do not know who Dr. Sears is but what lacks is the parents are being raised by the children, thus allowing the children to dictate what the parents MUST do or not! Too much vulgarity on television also. These kids think they must fight us but instead are not listening to us but have come to the point where they must learn their lessons the hard-headed way.

Answer 6

It's different because we had to pay 25cent to play an arcade game. Now you have zombies in front of the television or computers. Our idea of family time now is McDonalds. There is no family dinner at home. No one at home to cook. Moms are playing both parts, mom and dad. And dads have turned into Disney weekend dads. Or no show dads. Not always their fault. Parent have chosen to slack off their jobs. And when our children turn into teenagers we start to pull our our hair and wonder where we went wrong or better yet blame someone else for what we have created. The real question is who have you allowed to raise your child and where are you while he or she is being raised?

Answer 7

Honestly? Yeah, they're less respectful today than they were when I was growing up. Of course, we were less respectful than our parents were. Sadly, the trend is worsening over the last few decades, because too many parents want to be "cool" with their kids. Me, I'm my kids' parent, not their friend. I will spank my kids if they misbehave. I will sit them in the corner if they're being disrespectful to me or any other adult. At the same time, I'm also compassionate and loving towards them. In short, I try to raise my daughter and son to be the person I would want to be, myself.

Answer 8

Teens are doing the same things now that they were doing when I was in highschool (l976). Still getting pregnant, still doing drugs, still dressing like rebellious slobs, and still coming from broken homes, which explains why they are how they are.

Morality starts at home between 2 parents who are commited to each other and their children. Parents need to teach kids that there are consequences to their actions. When my siblings and I backtalked or failed to do chores, we got slapped or lost privileges.

A parents best example to their kids, is their own actions everyday: Honesty, consideration, understanding, meeting responsibilities, this is how they will learn these attributes.

Answer 9

Kids today aren't being disciplined at home these days. They don't have chores to do around the house and are very inactive compared to the kids in my day. They lack respect for others and even themselves. Since god was removed from the schools, and kids today aren't taught right from wrong, they are much more selfish and evil than kids years ago. They get everything handed to them and do not consider the consequences of their actions in regard to their treatment of others.....)(

Answer 10

the problem today is that there is no VALUES,ETHICS or MORALS.it is our own fault in a way,because we did not enforce what we were taught.we thought that we could make life easier if we were not so hard on our children,but it backfired.the only thing we can do now is to let the teachers have control back in the schools.right now it is a fashion show and the parents are having a tough time to gain control over the children's peers.what to do? i really don't know except to encourage our children to be more responsible and teach them that every thing they do in life has a cause and effect...good luck