Click here to subscribe today or Login.
Tuesday, January 25, 2000 Page: 8A
In response to a letter in your paper on Jan. 17, I feel everyone is
allowed to speak his/her own opinion regarding the violent act of two teenage
boys at Columbine High School.
I have read and heard over and over that numerous people who have committed
acts of violence come from terrific families with great values and have great
grades in school. Most of these offenders have been taught right from wrong,
but somewhere in all of it the tables turn and something goes deadly wrong.
I am in my 30s and from a large family. As a mother, I hope that all the
things that I teach my children go with them forever and they don’t stray from
those teachings.
I don’t allow violent games in my home or movies because I don’t want my
children to see this. If they don’t see it, they won’t ask and/or even try it
somewhere down the line. People act on what they live or have been taught or
even view through their childhood.
My parents instilled great values and the facts of right and wrong into all
of my siblings and hoped for the best. I remember my parents bending over
backwards to keep us out of trouble. But through all efforts made by my
parents, some of my siblings still ended up in trouble with the law more than
once. It was no fault of the parental guidelines, but the fact they did
certain things just to get some attention.
Don’t blame parental guidance on the tragedies of this era and start
looking in the mirror for answers.
A young person may ask for parents’ advice, and those parents will try
their best to put their child on the right road. But if the child chooses to
go off that path or take another route, so be it.
Be responsible for yourself and your own actions.
Jane A. Fox
Luzerne