Are today's youth suffering as a result of an inability to discipline your child?

Question

I hear today that kids do things that they never did back in the day and that it's because parents are becoming more and more irresponsible on average. Also, what used to be the standard in child discipline is now considered child abuse....what's your take on this?

Answer 1

PARENTS- PLEASE READ!!!


I am VERY interested in this topic and wish it was addressed in a larger forum!

Yes, I strongly agree that the law has turned against us, as parents. Of course, I DO understand that there have been parents who take discipline entirely too far. This is part of our problem.

Because of this, we, ourselves, are grounded to babying our children and young adults. Too often, a well- cared for child screams "abuse" and in come the troops!

Further, I believe our future generations have become accustomed to this and take advantage, every step of the way. Because of this, nowadays, our youth are violent, unruly and basically free to do as they please.

There is NOT enough law inforcement to replace our stern parenting and with an officer's wages, it's unlikely there ever WILL be enough to keep watch of all our children when they are out and about.

I do what I can to keep mine in line, believe me! Case in point- My teenage daughter, Sierra, will be featured on an MTV show called "Juvies", on or around Sept. 12th. Yup, I called the police, myself, due to a habit of ditching school, threatening to run away and having an over- aged boyfriend who DEALS drugs!! I found a lot of the information by recording her conversations! (which IS legal) For now, this is the most I can do to keep her out of trouble, can you blame me? I play an active roll as much as I can.

I think if the standards in child discipline were never changed, we would have more caring, responsible young adults around us.

For those with kids in the home, I URGE you to tune in to "JUVIES" on MTV, beginning September 5th at 10:00pm. (check your local listings) They will offer information for teens who want help with different issues but are afraid to ask for it.

Answer 2

i agree with the standard child discipline is now considered child abuse. when i was a kid my parents spanked me once on the *** when i did something wrong and i learned never to do that again. now if you do that at all, it's considered child abuse. if you don't discipline your child isn't that also child abuse? i don't think that on the average people are more irresponsible, it's a risk in discipline if you don't want your child taken away and most people are afraid of loosing their kids. society needs to lighten up some so parents can go back to disciplining their children again. it may help the world out some, it sure can't make it any worse than it already is.

Answer 3

I don't think a good old fashioned butt paddling would kill any of them. There is a difference between discipline and abuse. A red welt is discipline,black and blue bruising is abuse. Just my opinion! I certainly got my fair share of which most I deserved and I turn out to be a pretty responsible adult. Some of the kids now just don't have any respect for other people or property. And yes some of it is the parents too that don't take on the responsibility to raise their children to have good morals. I don't know why some people even have kids because they don't care about them and what they are doing.

Answer 4

Yes they are suffering but not in the way they should. I never talked or hurt my parents the way kids do today. I would of got my *** beat. Now as far as the limits of abuse. If you leave a red mark you spanked them to hard. I'm sorry but that is bullshit. I believe in thoroughly disciplining my children but not out of anger. Parents today are too weak, don't have time or they are trying to be the best friend and not the parent. God help us!! The generation coming up who are in the10-18 year old range really scares me. They are so screwed up WHY because of their PARENTS NOT HAVING THE BACK BONE TO DISCIPLINE THEM.

Answer 5

I think it is definitely a lack of discipline. There is a diff. in spanking a child and beating a child. But i have to say its not all the parents fault. The law has made it that way. It sucks.

Answer 6

Parents are afraid to discipline their kids & they're afraid to hug them. They'll either be brought up on charges of child abuse or sexual abuse., when it is neither. George Washington's father took him to the woodshed & look what it did to him. In my generation(I'm 65)if you got a spanking at school, you better hope your Mom didn't find out or you'd get another at home. I got lots of both and I was not a bad kid, just had a smart mouth at times. I and most others of my generation & before, turned out to be good people in spite of the "hardship" we faced.

Answer 7

kids get away with a lot more today than when i was a kid. I'm 31 . I see the way kids act everyday with their parents from all walks of life (due to my career) and i know it is different from when i grew up. Parents are afraid to dicipline their kids. Kids need dicipline (guidance) on a daily basis. Hell everybody needs dicipline in one way or the other. Parents today either don't dicipline their children or beat them. It's to the extreme either way. Parents need to find a balance. They definitly shouldn't hit a child out of anger and should regulate it depending on the situation. Some parents are lazy and some are crazy. It's all about consistency and balance.

Answer 8

I agree!

I got a slap on the rear now and then while I was growing up. I turned out just fine. Now you give a lil spank and the Child Protective Services are knocking down your door.

Kids have NO RESPECT for their elders. That is a big thing.
Everything is given to them on a silver platter, they dont know what its like to work for something!
Things are simple and easy....they expect everything.

Many people think I am mean because my 5 year old has chores. She is damn old enough to put her clothes away, feed her guinea pig, use the dust buster, etc.....

Answer 9

Yes they are . But I still spank mine . And I have been told my kids are some of the most well behaved kids seen today . They have manners and respect their elders. I have even got on and spanked them at wal-mart when they needed it .It only takes a couple of times and they learn being in public isn"t going to save their butt. People give me dirty looks and I give them right back. My mom raised 8 kids and could take us anywhere by herself. One look from her and we straightened up.

Answer 10

I think parents are scared to be as strict, resulting in undisciplined children. I think they're scared because of children's aid and such. In some ways, parents now feel they have to have perfectly behaved kids by following the book of governmental acceptance. Politically correct.