LETTERS: PARENTS MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY

To the editor:

As I sit here reading about the latest school shooting, I can't help but think about these boys who decided to pull the triggers. I didn't know them or what their home life was like, but I think the parents ultimately are the responsible party.

We must start to give these children at an early age the structure they will need for the rest of their lives. If we fail to give them this structure, they will learn that it is not important. This includes a little thing as simple as, "If you don't pick up your toys, you're going to get a time out." If the child doesn't pick them up and you don't follow through with the time out, that shows the child there are no bad consequences if they don't want to pick up the toys.

Show them there are good consequences too. Children are smarter than we think. If we doubt that, even for one second, we're only fooling ourselves.

We also put the blame on other things for the way our children act. TV, movies, other children -- whatever we want to say. We can say this all day long, but the learning of morals and values, right and wrong, all start in the home. Every parent must start taking responsibility for what their child hears, sees and does.

We can't depend on other people to raise our kids for us such as day care, baby-sitters, teachers and television.

We also need to recognize the signs of a troubled teen-ager. Recognize the signs of drug and alcohol use, cults and gangs. If they say something, take them seriously. Even if it sounds petty to you, it is very important to listen. You can't just talk at them.

We must take time to raise our children and to instill morals and values. These precious jewels are our future. We can't throw them away, because then we'd be throwing everything away.

MARIA PAVONE, Student

Alternative Education Center

Cape Girardeau