Mall bans unsupervised kids/teens

[DisneyBamaFan]

You are assuming that the parents of these kids care. Honestly, the kids that were causing the problems at the Mall of America did not come from homes where the parents cared where they were or not...

The parents will care when they have to pick up their kids at the police station and pay a hefty fine. It works where implemented...

 

[golfgal]

The parents will care when they have to pick up their kids at the police station and pay a hefty fine. It works where implemented...

Except where you get to the "pick up the kids... and pay...." part.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Except where you get to the "pick up the kids... and pay...." part.

Did you even read my post?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I get that. I wasn't trying to insinuate that it would be an impossible to enforce. I was merely pointing out that 16 year old teens are old enough to work there, but not old enough to be there after the clock strikes _______? 16 year old kids can be employed (even younger, but most states have strict labor laws for anyone 15 and under) by this age, thus, have money to spend. It is also the legal age for driving, thus IMO, is an age where they shouldn't have to be attached to their parent's hip after 6 PM. I don't know the law in every state in this nation, but in PA (my home state), these 16 year old teens are legally able to drive alone (if they hold a jr. license of course) till 11 PM.

I certainly support the mall's right to impose such restrictions. They are after all, privately owned. I just don't think it's one of the better, most rational decisions that I've ever heard (though I think it's a great idea for the 15 and under crowd). That of course is opinion only and obviously the owners of this particular mall disagree.

As for anyone commenting on how delinquent these kids are acting, well, that's an entirely different subject, and mall security should be on top of it.

I see what you are saying, but in many states--the driving privilege works the same way. Minors have a curfew unless they are doing something school related or working.

I don't mind--but i'm not really raising my kids to feel that "window shopping' is a valid nighttime activity with friends. We shop when we need something--not b/c we are bored.

So such a ban doesn't bother me.

 

[golfgal]

Did you even read my post?

Yes, I did and you are missing the point, the parents WON'T come and pick them up OR pay for any fines. They will let them stay in jail. The kids that were causing the problems at the Mall of America are NOT from families that will care, nor will they bail them out of jail. Maybe some of their gang friends will, but not their families.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

I see what you are saying, but in many states--the driving privilege works the same way. Minors have a curfew unless they are doing something school related or working.

I don't mind--but i'm not really raising my kids to feel that "window shopping' is a valid nighttime activity with friends. We shop when we need something--not b/c we are bored.

So such a ban doesn't bother me.

You understand that this isn't a ban against loitering (window shopping) - which just about everyone would support, right? This is a ban against visiting the mall in any capacity other than as an employee during that span. In other words, no movies, no shopping if the teen works and can only go during those hours, no swinging by on the way home to grab some food at the food court - NOTHING. It is a law written by people who have just given up on an entire generation...

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Yes, I did and you are missing the point, the parents WON'T come and pick them up OR pay for any fines. They will let them stay in jail. The kids that were causing the problems at the Mall of America are NOT from families that will care, nor will they bail them out of jail. Maybe some of their gang friends will, but not their families.

Two points:

The thread is about a regular mall, not the largest mall in the country. That mall may have special issues requiring more draconian measures.

The kids can rot in jail if they want to break the law and their parents don't care. Not my problem.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

You understand that this isn't a ban against loitering (window shopping) - which just about everyone would support, right? This is a ban against visiting the mall in any capacity other than as an employee during that span. In other words, no movies, no shopping if the teen works and can only go during those hours, no swinging by on the way home to grab some food at the food court - NOTHING. It is a law written by people who have just given up on an entire generation...

A ban during certain hours without adult supervision.

It is not a full ban banning any child of any age from the mall on any given day of the week.

I hadn't reallized that a mall is the only shopping entity out there--or the only food options. I suppose I should feel sorry for the random teenager that can't get their food court fix on a friday night. But alas--i do not.

Funny how I survived my teens without hangin in a mall on a Friday night.

 

[golfgal]

You understand that this isn't a ban against loitering (window shopping) - which just about everyone would support, right? This is a ban against visiting the mall in any capacity other than as an employee during that span. In other words, no movies, no shopping if the teen works and can only go during those hours, no swinging by on the way home to grab some food at the food court - NOTHING. It is a law written by people who have just given up on an entire generation...

One point, it isn't a law, it is simply a rule of use on a piece of private property, nothing more, nothing less.

Two points:

The thread is about a regular mall, not the largest mall in the country. That mall may have special issues requiring more draconian measures.

The kids can rot in jail if they want to break the law and their parents don't care. Not my problem.

So what if the MOA is a big mall, it is still a mall, still a piece of private property and they can make any rules they want. If you don't like them, shop elsewhere. It certainly hasn't hurt the MOA in the past 14 years of doing this.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Two points:

The thread is about a regular mall, not the largest mall in the country. That mall may have special issues requiring more draconian measures.

The kids can rot in jail if they want to break the law and their parents don't care. Not my problem.

Perhaps this mall has special issues.

Not every problem is an arrestable offense. It doesn't make it any less of a problem that this mall has chosen to no longer waste its resources in stopping it as it happens. PRobably much less expensive and much more safe to prevent it from occuring in the first place.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

our largest mall has this for years.

18 and younger can't be in the mall unescorted on Fri and Sat after 4. They are allowed to go to the movies, work, and also to anchor stores with their own entrances.

It has made it much more pleasant for adults and families - especially at the entrances where they used to congregate.

Not a big deal for our family. I have already told DD she won't ever be dropped off to just roam the mall.

 

[MerMom60_94]

Hmmmmm, well now, I just happen to like teenagers and I am of the belief that not all teenagers are bad and out to cause mayhem. What gets to me are wailing toddlers who have meltdowns at the mall. Being toddlers and all they don't have any actual disposable income to spend while they are at the mall so I propose we extend this ban to all parents with children under the age of 6 in tow. After all, when I even think about shopping the thoughts of a mall with screaming toddlers totally keeps me away. Oh, and you know who else gets under my skin??? Those mall walkers! You know, people who go to the mall during the colder months so they can get in a walk and they aren't actually there to buy anything but they stroll along and block my way. After all, when I go to the mall I am in a hurry to get in and out before some toddler starts having a meltdown. Get stuck behind one of those walkers and forgetaboutit! I say, let's ban all mall walkers who can not reach and maintain a speed of lets say...... well, a 15 minute mile.

In all honesty, I agree with DisneyBamaFan on this one. Address the problem kids and leave the others be. Our society has taken to using a blanket approach to address problems and it's simplistic at best. Some kids really do know how to behave in public and really are there to shop. I never drop my daughter off at the mall just to hang out but if she has an occassion to get ready for (i.e. a school dance) I will drop her and her friend off to shop and have a bite to eat together and I do this when I have time which may or may not be in the evening. If my local mall had this banned they would not only loose my daughter's business but they would lose mine as well.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

One point, it isn't a law, it is simply a rule of use on a piece of private property, nothing more, nothing less...

That was the point of my post, to which you replied. Employ and enforce loitering laws. Stop senseless bans...

 

[luvmy3]

Hmmmmm, well now, I just happen to like teenagers and I am of the belief that not all teenagers are bad and out to cause mayhem. What gets to me are wailing toddlers who have meltdowns at the mall. Being toddlers and all they don't have any actual disposable income to spend while they are at the mall so I propose we extend this ban to all parents with children under the age of 6 in tow. After all, when I even think about shopping the thoughts of a mall with screaming toddlers totally keeps me away. Oh, and you know who else gets under my skin??? Those mall walkers! You know, people who go to the mall during the colder months so they can get in a walk and they aren't actually there to buy anything but they stroll along and block my way. After all, when I go to the mall I am in a hurry to get in and out before some toddler starts having a meltdown. Get stuck behind one of those walkers and forgetaboutit! I say, let's ban all mall walkers who can not reach and maintain a speed of lets say...... well, a 15 minute mile.

In all honesty, I agree with DisneyBamaFan on this one. Address the problem kids and leave the others be. Our society has taken to using a blanket approach to address problems and it's simplistic at best. Some kids really do know how to behave in public and really are there to shop. I never drop my daughter off at the mall just to hang out but if she has an occassion to get ready for (i.e. a school dance) I will drop her and her friend off to shop and have a bite to eat together and I do this when I have time which may or may not be in the evening. If my local mall had this banned they would not only loose my daughter's business but they would lose mine as well.

The funny thing is the kids aren't being banned from the mall unless they break the rule. The rule is, if you are under 18 and want to go to the mall and shop, or even hang out you just need to do it with an adult. I guess those kids who are not trouble makers would have no problem abiding by the rule

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Perhaps this mall has special issues.

Not every problem is an arrestable offense. It doesn't make it any less of a problem that this mall has chosen to no longer waste its resources in stopping it as it happens. PRobably much less expensive and much more safe to prevent it from occuring in the first place.

But to do it this way you punish the innocent (including the shops in the malls) along with the guilty. That is what makes it lazy...

 

[luvmy3]

But to do it this way you punish the innocent (including the shops in the malls) along with the guilty. That is what makes it lazy...

How are they being punished? They are still allowed in the mall

 

[golfgal]

That was the point of my post, to which you replied. Employ and enforce loitering laws. Stop senseless bans...

Well there are those of us that don't think it is senseless at all. It is really nice to know that we can go to the mall, have a nice dinner and walk around and shop without having a bunch of teenagers throwing out the F Bomb every other word. I have 3 teenagers of my own so this isn't anything against them, just that we like the ban. Same thing with the smoking bans--we LOVE that--we can go out and have a nice meal and not come home smelling like an ashtray.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

The funny thing is the kids aren't being banned from the mall unless they break the rule. The rule is, if you are under 18 and want to go to the mall and shop, or even hang out you just need to do it with an adult. I guess those kids who are not trouble makers would have no problem abiding by the rule

This is the most backwards logic that I have ever seen. Create a rule to make everyone a rule breaker. Tell me, if they create a law making it illegal for you to breathe, does that make you some sort of miscreant for deciding to breathe anyway?

 

[MerMom60_94]

The funny thing is the kids aren't being banned from the mall unless they break the rule. The rule is, if you are under 18 and want to go to the mall and shop, or even hang out you just need to do it with an adult. I guess those kids who are not trouble makers would have no problem abiding by the rule

I, as the mother, would have trouble abiding by the rule. I have a responsible daughter who sometimes needs something at the mall. I don't always have the time or inclination to go shopping at the mall with her but don't mind bringing her there with a friend to get what she needs to get. My daughter is not a trouble maker but, yes, she would have trouble abiding by this rule because both of her parents hate malls.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

How are they being punished? They are still allowed in the mall

LOL - only supervised by an adult. You are being obtuse...