Friday, May 30, 2008

Illegal or Not?

Recently, we have been discussing teenagers, crime, and punishment in my classes at the High School. Almost every student in those classes made the comment during our discussion that nothing is illegal if you don’t get caught. Many of them also said that the cops couldn’t catch them anyway, because they were too fast.

Somewhere down the road, I hope they learn how wrong this attitude is, and that we all have responsibility for our actions. They don’t see how their actions now will affect their future lives, and don’t understand personal morals and self-discipline. Their motto is, If it feels good, do it, illegal or not. They say that everyone does drugs and has sex. Why not? There’s nothing wrong with it.

I have told many students that within five years their view could possibly change, and then what will they do about their actions now. They cannot seem to comprehend a time when they might regret their current lifestyle choice.

This morning, two of these students are in jail. I’m not sure what the actual charges are, but I can’t help but wonder if this will be the thing that changes their attitudes, or will they still maintain that anything goes. Hard to say.

Take care. Stick.

1 comment:

Inklings said...

They need to realize that everyone gets caught. It's just a matter of time. They need to realize you should never do anything you aren't willing to do the consequence for. But they have criminal thinking. I heard it all the time when I worked in the jail. I always knew who would be back, because they kept saying they'd figured out how not to get caught. They'd go out and get caught again anyway. Pretty sad.