Should we raise children more conservatively? [More details inside]?

Question

The reason why we have widespread use of drugs, reckless drinking, irresponsible sex, etc., in my opinion, is that we don't address these issues enough in children as they grow up. Case in point, the overall structure and atmosphere is too lenient.

Wouldn't raising our children stricter ensure that these problems wouldn't be as widespread? Just consider this; if we RAISE the standards of what we allow our children to do (i.e. being more forceful), then the corresponding actions they'll do as they grow up will be less... of a problem.

Ideas? Thoughts? And for the record, this doesn't involve religion or other outside influences; this just involves a more PRACTICAL solution, which is simply to start raising our children with less leeway, and start actually instilling in them the need to at least TRY to be as pure and clean as possible.

By "pure and clean", I didn't mean to imply that our children today aren't. I just couldn't find another way to describe it. But basically, they avoid doing those things, or at least, they are less reluctant to do so.

Answer 1

I disagree with the raising our children more conservatively. I think we raise them too conservatively as it is. If we didn't hide things from our children, like what drugs do, what sex involves and the consiquences. naked picutres, then they wouldn't go behind out backs and find out for themselves, more than likely resulting in misleading information. If we disclose the information to our kids, and give them proper information, there will be less going behind our backs and doing things they shouldn't. Parents now a days seem to think that children at 10 are to young to learn about sex and drugs, but there is an overwelming number of children that age that are already having sex or doing drugs or contimplating doing it. Along with that I think we need to no be more conservative, but to actually punish our children and keep an eye on them. Watch your kids, you don't have to stay with them 24/7, but when your kids goes out, know where they are and who they are with. Punishment, going to your room, or being grounded isn't punishment, its like a vacation. if they are young enough, spank their butt, if they are older, take away the tv, the cell phone, phone privalages, the computer, ipod, xbox, so on and so forth. they don't need those things to survive. I was ranting there, sorry, but in short, no we don't need tobe more conservative, we need to give more information, watch out children, and acutally use an effective punishment.

Answer 2

I doubt it. I think parents should just be more involved in their children's lives. Let them know how you feel about this stuff, and show them they don't need to be destructive to have fun.

Also, keep them involved in stuff, like extracurriculars. For example, if they are into sports, they will avoid drugs and reckless activities as they learn to respect and take care of their bodies. Also, it just plain leaves less time for them to get into stuff like that

And consider this, the town with the highest teenage birthrate in the country is a small Texas town that teaches nothing but abstinence. These kids are having sex without knowing what it is, and then wonder what's happening when they push a baby out of some strange orrifice.

The best thing is, to quote someone above, Education and Empowerment.

Answer 3

Yeah it probably would be good if we raised our children a bit more strictly. I think the problem is that generally parents don't have the skills always to raise their children that way.
If every parent was like the nanny from Nanny911 then the world might be a different place.
Maybe the government can start giving out free parenting classes to teach effective discipline etc.
Most parents are kind of just doing they best the can according to what they learned from their parents.

Answer 4

Wow! I almost agree with you. And I'm a liberal democrat who happens to be a lesbian.
I am tough with my kids. They have to behave, act right, follow the rules and get good grades. They can't miss school unless they are deathly ill. I always get compliments on how well-behaved my kids are. Hopefully, this will follow them into adulthood.
I don't like your "pure and clean" thing. Sex is normal, natural and should be taught, so they don't end up pregnant and/or ill. I teach my kids all that AND that the best thing to do is wait until they are older and find someone they are really comfortable and happy with. I tell them that long-term relationships are best and have the best sex because you know eachothers bodies.

Answer 5

I think that's an unrealistic and naive idea. While parents were enforcing strict behaviour, they would be constantly exposed to other influences such as the media and friends. It would just encourage them to go behind their parents back.

Teaching them basic morals and guiding them through life is all you can do. If you "baby" them all their lives, the second they're off to university they'll be so innocent, or want to rebel, they'll cluelessly take drugs, drink...need I go on?

They way forward isn't blind folding children. It's educating them and empowering them so they can make their own decisions.

Answer 6

Well you go to jail for spanking your kids anymore...I mean some states you can as long as you do not leave a mark...HMM some kids bruise easy and turn red easy...I mean if I was to get smacked and not hard I would have a red mark for hours that is the type of skin I have. Makes you think what might be okay for one kid is not for another because the parent is to scared to punish a child and go to jail...good question

Answer 7

Well, yes and no. Yes, they would have higher morals from age 1-13; no, they may not stick. At the age of 13, all kids go through a huge rebellious stage, called "teenagerdom". I am sure you have heard of it.
I was raised in such a household. I would not have sex before marriage (because of STDs, not God), no drugs (screws up your brain, like God), and I am a chivalrist (my only weapon in dating, no thanks to the Bible.)
You must give the child reasons and proof as to why these are bad things, better than "God says..." or "I say..." Or else, you come off as a Nazi, and your kids become murderers and hookers. Hope this helped!

Answer 8

YES, YES, YES children need to be addressed and informed of things these days. They are given far too much independence and privacy!

Answer 9

Yes, the liberals are responsible for corrupting the youth and brainwashing them. Now of course they'll say they promote "responsbible sex" through condom usage, but that's only because they caused the problem to begin with, as usual.

And you above...don't "young man" me unless you're older than 56, and they won't rebel if their parents are not hypocrites and if there is real love in the home.

Answer 10

So only liberally raised kids have problems?