Is there a generational disconnect when it comes to disciplining our children? I am from Generation X, whose members were born from 1965 to 1980. We were admonished by parents, neighbors, teachers and basically any adult who saw us doing something wrong. If we were heard using profanity, an adult would correct us. Even for something as minor as running across a neighbor’s lawn, we would hear about it. We then hoped that the adult wouldn’t tell our parents, out of fear of being disciplined at home.
If you ask contemporary parents with children younger than 18 how they discipline their children, you likely would not get many similar answers. Some may even take issue with the word “discipline.” But ask them if the behavior of our youths is getting better? I would venture to say that most would respond with a resounding, “No.” We’ve all grown weary and frustrated with what is being exhibited by far too many of today’s youths.
Every 24 hours, about 14 youths ages 10 to 24 die from homicide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Each day, almost 1,300 youths are treated in emergency departments for violence-related injuries.
