11/30/99

Irresponsible Adults

Reader Frank DePaul sent me the following thoughts and reactions to the Columbine tragedy. Comments, as always, are welcome.

Despite fearful and misleading pronouncements made in the media about the atrocities committed at Columbine High School, such as "epidemic of teenage violence" and draconian calls for zero-tolerance laws, metal detectors and greater police presence in schools, the vast majority of violent crime in the U.S. is committed by adults. The intensity of the response highlights the inherent willingness of the older generation to blame the perceived problems of their society on its youngest members. These facts seem to be of no consequence to those who anxiously respond to the clarion calls of opportunistic politicians and other self-interested individuals.

An interesting sidebar on the barbarous Columbine event occurred about a week after it happened. A newspaper article next to one describing the massacre at Columbine told of the marvelous destructive power of the Apache helicopter, which would be deployed in the air bombardment over Yugoslavia. This article cited a poll indicating that a majority of those polled favored such action. The juxtaposition of these articles presented some serious questions in my mind. Is violence in certain instances justifiable in order to achieve an advantageous result? Does this seemingly contradictory attitude make a subconscious impression on our youngsters? As it is presently fashionable to speak of a subliminal message being sent, would this one be: "You kids walk through the metal detector in order for us (adults) to prevent bad violence, while we grown-ups take care of the good violence"?

Perhaps the adults in our society would be better served if they objectively evaluated their behavior and that of their contemporaries, rather than look for others to blame for what they perceive as a terrible situation. After all, we are the grown-ups. It is sad that we have come to expect more of our children than we do of ourselves.

There are other examples of adults living a double standard. While sexual promiscuity among adolescents is roundly condemned; adultery is treated rather cavalierly by many older Americans, particularly those engaged in this action. In many cases such infidelity leads to divorce, which could hardly be considered a sterling example for our children.

Another example of the irresponsibility of many adult Americans is the large number of personal bankruptcies filed in recent years. Over 3.7 million of these cases have been filed between l996 and l998. According to projections by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, this number will exceed 5 million by the end of 1999. That so many adults have reneged on their financial obligations is rarely, if ever, pointed out as a generational shortcoming.

The quality of any society is more dependent on the attitudes and behavior of its adult members than those of its children.

Please send questions or comments to bbruno@snet.net.