Troubled Teens
The Troubled Teen
Troubled teens, troubled youth how ever you wish to state it, is a serious issue in today's society. Recently our local paper has published several articles about a local middle school that is having serious issues with troubled teens.
This school has had 62 arrests since the beginning of this school year, the highest in Pinellas county. These arrest vary from disorderly conduct, violating probation, simple battery, trespassing, battery on school board employees, grand theft, disruption of a school function, aggravated battery of a pregnant teacher, felony threat to discharge an explosive, strong armed robbery, resisting arrest with violence, battery on a student, petty bike theft, petty theft, and failure to appear in court. Surprisingly no drug arrest.
These troubled teens state "We like to act out, that's who we are". "When you want us to do all this work and we don't have enough time, we get stressed out." This sounds like a heck of a reason to me.
One social studies teacher stated "We have no control over this school". So like to say its because the county has gone back to neighborhood schools and this school is located in a predominantly ethnic neighborhood. I think this is just an excuse. These troubled teenagers have serious issues that parents and local law enforcement need to address.
Another article just yesterday was how a 17 year old student attacked the school bus driver by smashing her head repeatedly into the dash board. All because she would not hand over a cell phone that was found on the bus. This is no doubt a troubled teenager in serious need of serious help. Thank goodness the driver was not seriously hurt.
Teen drug use is a contributing factor, and the lack of parental control. In a lot of cases the troubled youth knows there is nothing anyone can or will do to them. When they are picked up and taken to juvie and then they are sent home. When they appear in court, they get a slap on the hand and are told don't do it again. They know nothing will happen.
Another article was on a 15 year old sentenced to life in prison for crimes he committed at the age of 13. His crimes included rape and kidnapping. The parents of this troubled teen asked the court system for help, they told the court he was sick and had major issues. The court felt it was the parents problem and sent him home. Just look at him now!
Florida's teen drivers also have the highest accident and fatal crash rate than any other age group in the state. A fast car. No seat belt, The feeling of invincibility. Add up to a parents worst nightmare. Drug and alcohol are a major contributing factor in most cases. These are troubled teenagers.
Troubled youths what should we do with them. These are the people who will be in charge someday. I am concerned and you should be too. Help a troubled youth, don't turn your back on them. Someone only gets hurt in the long run!