Do Not; Can Not; Will Not

When I was in High School (no, Lincoln was not President) I had to be in the house, usually in my bed, by 10pm. Period. Oh, there was the occasional Church activity, or some such that allowed a few extra minutes, but quite seldom.

When I was a child, we had to be home at dark. Period.

What has happened to some parents? I still hear the guy on TV saying – “It’s ten o’clock. Do you know where your children are?” Is it possible that some parents are losing the ability or willingness to keep up with their kids?

Southlake, Texas, 2011, as reported in the Star-Telegram:  The curfew for those 16 and younger is 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and midnight Friday and Saturday. The maximum fine is $500 per offense. Exceptions include teenagers who can show that they are headed home from work or from a church or school activity.

Is the problem kids? Or is it parents? I suppose some parents cannot control their kids, others just do not, and there are a few who will not. And that is sad. Kids have a way of getting into trouble when it’s dark outside. Forget that it is dangerous, that there are predators, careless drivers who fail to see kids crossing the street in the dark, and that the later it gets the more foolish some kids become. If you don’t know exactly where your kids are, and what they are doing, especially after dark, your penchant for trouble is about to be satisfied.

“Teach a youth about the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Discipline  your son while there is hope. Don’t withhold correction from a youth. The father of a righteous son will rejoice greatly, and one who fathers a wise son will delight in him.” Proverbs (selected)