Parents Need to Step Up

Last week, in Killeen, Texas, we had three gun incidents at three different middle schools.  These schools were from different parts of the city, with one of them being on a military installation. 

Before any of the smoke had cleared parents began saying that bullying was out of control.  That kids felt they needed to bring the guns to school as a way to protect themselves.

Many other parents called for teachers to get more involved.  With one saying that since teachers spend so much time with our children they should do more. 

I have a different take.  How about you start being a real parent and stop passing the responsibility on to someone else?  When are parents going to realize that kids are who they are because of what they are taught, how they are raised and what their support system is like at home?

Our teachers spend roughly 187 days out of one year with our children.  We spend 18 years with them.  Who then should the blame be placed on for children who are delinquent?

Woah, woah, Mr. Writer, these kids brought guns because they were being bullied.  That’s a school system problem.

Is it?  Really?  It all goes back to the parents.

First, in order to have a bullying problem you have to have a bully.  How did that child learn that bullying was a proper way to conduct themselves?  Certainly not from a teacher.  So who?  Another student?  Maybe, but that “other student” has a parent or guardian that is teaching their child how to become an adult. 

Second, as for the child bringing the gun; what are their parents doing to rectify the situation at school before the gun is considered an answer?  And if your child is being bullied its probably because he or she is not the type steal or purchase a gun illegally.  So why then, parents, are your guns accessible? 

Once again the situation could have been prevented if parents took responsibility. 

So my plan is this.  Since parents do not want to take responsibility for their children then we should allow the school system and the criminal justice system to handle things.  Gone are the days of in school suspension and alternative school. 

If your child bullies a student then he or she is criminally charged with intimidation.  Go to juvenile detention. 

If your child fights another child, they are charged with assault.  Go to juvenile detention.

If your child brings a gun to school they are charged with felony possession of a firearm and they get charged.  Go to juvenile detention.  And as an added bonus, the parents get charged with child endangerment if it is their gun. 

I hope you enjoy visiting your children at juvenile hall. 

Shall we as parents step up or continuing placing the blame elsewhere?  Your choice.