What is more damaging to our country's children?

Question

sex
drugs
music
Hollywood/celebrities
single parents
limited educational options for many

Is our children's future as bright as we once believed it to be in the United States?

Answer 1

The NEA, who teaches them to "tolerate" all the dangers that you listed.

Answer 2

Stupidity and general lack of responsibility on the part of the parents.

Hollywood/celebrities aren't raising our children. The people that complain about "celeb" behavior aren't doing a very good job of teaching their children morals and values. Instead of blaming every outward source of information, blame yourselves for being inadequate parents.

Our children's futures are only as bright as we make them. Raise your kids or don't have any. The TV is not a babysitter.

I think there ought to be an IQ test as part of becoming a parent. If you aren't smart enough to raise a child, you don't get the chance. If you are so niave and ignorant that you think the music is making your child a delinquent, then you also don't get the chance to reproduce.

Answer 3

The worst thing for our children is nobody REALLY gives a d__n! Not really! We have one of the highest infant mortality rates in the civilized world. When children are abused or murdered, the "perp" gets much less time in prison than someone who did the same to an adult.

It takes both parents working to support kids these days, so we have children being raised by minimum wage "day care" workers---same goes for single parents; they are forced into "work-fare" programs that take them away from their children when those children are VERY young.

We do not teach child-raising skills in school. Almost everyone will be a parent someday. How many times have you seen a child spanked or yelled at because they did something that they really are not capable of understanding is wrong? The parents should have learned about the stages of understanding that children go through. I have seen so many stories in the news about people who harmed their children because the chilld "wet the bed" or "wouldn't use the pot"----when these children were not at an age of being ABLE to change their behavior. Kids in middle school and high school should be taught about developmental stages long before they ever have children of their own!

The mixed message kids receive about sex is creating a lot of messed-up babies having babies. Sex is a good thing, but it must be shown as something to be responsible about!!!

Education, education, education!!!! We have the most ill-informed, under educated, illiterate "posers" in the world. I say "posers" because everyone seems to want to act like we Americans are so sophisticated and intelligent. HA!

Everyone needs to open their minds, and enjoy opening the minds of children---to the joys of learning, to the idea that there are other important things going on in the world, that there are alternate solutions to problems, that NO ONE has all the answers, that they should seek! (Am I advocating a "liberal" way of thinking? You bet I am!! That is a gift our children could really use!)

Contrary to posters who rail against our "liberal educators and schools", I say we need more of those!! What is so sacred about the status quo?? NOTHING!

When we ALL realize that the next pair of "Jordans" is not as important as teaching children to read and think for themselves (so that they don't NEED mommy and daddy saying, "Don't listen to rap"--so that they can figure out for themselves that the messages they receive from songs and ads and TV and games....are not important or "good" for them) we will be back on the road to "bright futures".

Instead of "Quality is Job 1"--the mantra of all Americans SHOULD be "Our children are Job 1"!!!!!!

Answer 4

Limited educational options. Many of life's difficulties can be overcome by the strongest, but what is the point if you can't further your education to better your future? Might as well pop pills and live in a deluded synthetic happiness.

Edit:

"EVERYONE who wants an education CAN get one. My daughter's boyfriend and my son's girlfriend are putting themselves through school 100% on their own."

BS, tell that to the No Child Left Behind Act.

Answer 5

I think celebrities like Paris Hilton and Lindsey Lohan are damaging to children who are emulating them because they are celebrities.

However, I resent the fact that music is on the list. Music is the world, it is in everything: Movies, t.v., church services, etc. If you are trying to insult modern music, well that is wrong too. Every generation has had the older generation insult their music, from swing to hip-hop, but it is just a form of expression and creativity.

Answer 6

If the children are raised rightly none of these will be a problem. most of the worst cases i knew growing up are some of the most responsible people i know now.

2 guys who chased me home every day, now are in business together selling car insurance. 1 gent was a teen criminal, now works as firefighter, go figure.

Answer 7

I would argue that it is a combination of the culture of celebrity worship we have in this country and parents who take no responsibility in raising their own children.

Children are emulating the likes of Paris Hilton and Brittney Spears. Parents are not only doing nothing to discourage the emulation but they are actively encouraging it by giving in to their children's whims. When their precious little angels get in to trouble, the parents then blame everyone but themselves or their children.

Answer 8

The breakdown of the FAMILY is destroying this country.

You no longer have a mom and a dad telling the children not to have sex before marriage, not to listen to rap music, and not to take drugs. PARENTS need to set a good example for the kids. They need to look up to their parents as role models and not Hollywood celebrities.

EVERYONE who wants an education CAN get one. My daughter's boyfriend and my son's girlfriend are putting themselves through school 100% on their own.

Answer 9

limited educational options for many!

I just read Joey's back's answer, and in my opinion, her answer is light years better than the rest, so far! If I didn't know better, I would think from her answer that she has actually read some of Neale Donald Walsch's books! *sm*

Answer 10

I think with Mostly both people are working the children are raising themselves. And lack of Morals being taught to them. God Bless our Children.

Answer 11

sex
drugs
music
Hollywood/celebrities
single parents
limited educational options for many

If THIS is your list of 'problems' kids face, then the country is doing better than anyone ever imagined. Notice how 'starving' and 'childhood AIDS' didn't make the list? When Paris Hilton and single parents are the worst your kids have to face, you should thank whatever deity you believe in for his/her blessings.