Where were the parents????

[In a hurry]

Oh for Pete's sake. Does anybody here *really* think kids 10, 20, 50 years ago wouldn't speak rudely to an adult or spread ketchup on a seat? Every generation seems to forget their wildness and view the past with rose colored glasses.

Look, I'm not saying what these kids did was acceptable, or that kids today don't do some things that wouldn't have been done in the past. Just that this isn't really an example of that.

That is such a valid point. When my husband starts ragging on minor behavior issues of other people's kids, I remind him that 25 years ago, he was an 9th grader smoking pot in the photography lab at school. I am not saying the behavior was appropriate, by I wonder how many here remember being teens. And what we did when we knew no one would (probably) catch us.

 

[sanctus]

Oh for Pete's sake. Does anybody here *really* think kids 10, 20, 50 years ago wouldn't speak rudely to an adult or spread ketchup on a seat? Every generation seems to forget their wildness and view the past with rose colored glasses.

Look, I'm not saying what these kids did was acceptable, or that kids today don't do some things that wouldn't have been done in the past. Just that this isn't really an example of that.

I've got to agree with you. The kids were *wrong* to spread ketchup on the seat, no doubt about it, but really, I know I've done worse. They cleaned it up, they got a warning. They pulled a juvenile prank, sure, but then they ARE juveniles.

 

[Winnie Pooh Fan]

I absolutley cannot stand the "kids nowadays" or "tv, video game, ect, ect are the problems" comments. Come on already there has never been and there will never be a generation of perfect kids or adults for that matter.

Perhaps *you* (this means those that make those comments) didn't do wrong things perhaps you are/were perfect but I guarantee you knew or know someone that isn't or wasn't from you generation.

"Kids nowadays" do wonderful things as well or awful things just like every generation that has come before and every generation that will come after.

 

[Principessa1284]

kids will be kids.. and some will be jerks. Don't be too quick to blame the parents though, depending how old they are, they may have just dropped them off at the park for the day, or driven themselves (again, not sure of their ages.) Maybe the parent was with a younger kiddie who was afraid of fireworks? Who knows.. but don't forget what teenagers are like when their parents aren't around, and how many little friends of satan become angelic if mommy or daddy is within hearing distance. So in other words, a great number of teenagers and pre-teens are a pain in behind. (I say this being 21 and a teenager a mere 2 years ago.)

In conclusion, sometimes the parents are to blame, sometimes it's the lack of supervision, sometimes the kids are just jerky and know better.

 

[KathyFP]

I really felt that they should have been made to leave the show.

 

[LoriMistress]

We were waiting to watch Fantasmic this evening and a trio of teenagers where sitting two rows behind us. The row directly behind us was empty. These three teenagers thought it was funny to tell a women sitting next to us to sit down, she was blocking their view. No it was 6:00, show didn't start for an hour and the woman was taking off her backpack to sit down. Then ...........


They busted a package of ketchup on the sit in front of them and smeared it all over the seat. They were laughing like someone was watching a comedy show. A man sitting close got a CM and the teenagers received a warning.

I just don't understand?????

What is there to understand? Teenagers are dumb.

 

[dyna]

I was no angel as a teen believe me. The good kids now are the bad kids from years ago each generation has gotten a little braver and bolder I think. Catsup on a seat is nasty but they was kids. Hopefully my own would have never done anything like that and never will still got 1 midteens.

My older DD's often said Mom we can't get nothin past you and dad I said Well if you do you are prolly gonna have to invent it cause between the 2 of us there nothin we haven't done. We've done it we know the stories told to be able to do it or get away with it.

Now with the youngest DD not only does she have dad and I watchin over her she has her 2 older sisters late 20's watchin over her too. Not to mention we live in a very small town.

 

[Uuaww]

What is there to understand? Teenagers are dumb.

You are close, its not that teenagers are dumb, (long time ago, I'm 20) but that they just don't think things through, that's all. See teenagers just want to be accepted by there peers, and making them laugh is one of those things that they can do. VERY few will do this kind of crap on there own, and if they do, then some serious parenting is in order but I am not going to get into that. They just want to be accepted, that's all.

 

[d4est]

That's it, pretty much. Kids want to be popular...to be accepted. They (for the most part) don't do these things because they are "dumb." They do these things to impress their friends. Are these behaviors the wisest choices? Of course not. The action is not to be perceived as wise, but as funny. Of course it's not funny...to us. To many teens...you bet it is.

Thankfully, most teens outgrow this severe need to be accepted. BUT...in MHO, this need to be accepted lasts much longer than the teen years. As adults, we find different, more acceptable ways to belong. (ie. look at my nice house, my new car, my great job, my vacations....) WE ALL WANT TO BELONG.

Not making excuses for this kind of behavior, just examining the philosophy behind it. "Kids today" aren't bad. They are kids. They make mistakes, they make unwise decisions....usually to the horror of their parents who think their children angels.

 

[Kramer]

that's what happens when today's children are raised by XBox and Playstation 2

It's sad these days that kids and teens are so disrespectful.

Right... because kids didn't misbehave before video games were invented.

 

[DisneyNutMary]

Those kids were doing what teenagers have been doing everywhere for years- acting stupid and silly because there were no parents around.

The problem was not the teenagers, but the parents. Where were they? I don't think it's a bad thing for the parents to give them freedom, but maybe limited freedom would have been better.

If it were my kids, and a crowded show like Fantasmic, I would have been sitting nearby. It's one thing to let them go on Space Mountain, while mom and dad take younger sibling on Buzz Lightyear, but it is completely different to set kids loose for a 2 hour wait for Fantasmic.

Teenagers are easily tempted to play teenage pranks, but in a place where pranks can get them into serious trouble with strangers, and/or CMs, the parents would be wiser not to tempt them with freedom.

 

[KathyFP]

I still see their behavior totally unacceptable -it is not a prank when you ruin others experience.

It is true that teenagers don't think. Technically, the brain is not fully developed until early 20's. The section of the brain that affects judgement is not physically mature.

Still no excuse for being disrespectful.

 

[krissyh]

The problem is (90% of the time) the parents. They refuse to discipline their kids because the "books written by the experts" of their generation told them not to. Their poor little egos might be crushed.
I'm a high school teacher. I don't put up with it. They are polite, they push their chairs in and they say "please and thank you." In my classes becuase I expect it.
Kids need and generally want direction and discipline. When I see what I consider unacceptable behavior -not teenage silliness, I turn around and give them a "teacher face" and they stop. No matter how many times their parents told them to and it didn't work.
If kids are made to behave properly at home, they will in public.

Too many parents spent all of their time letting kids rule the roost and then when they got out of control, it was too late.
Watch those tacky "nanny rescue" shows - notice how the parents don't stop their kids - I see it every day. "not my little darling" and then hear the kid tell their parents to shut up.

The parents are to blame.

 

[Crazy4mandms]

I'm just kind of shocked by all the comments! Teenagers are dumb was a doozy, but the "It's the governments fault" was the real dinger (there is no law against spanking your child, if that is what you so choose to do, and I'm not judging anyone either way!!). The problem lies right there! That people are so quick to blame everyone and everything but themselves nowadays!! When people do inappropriate things, no matter what the age, they should be made to suffer consequences for THEIR actions...it is called PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY!!! I'm a middle school teacher and I totally agree with the high school teacher. Some of my students do 'stupid' things, but they also have consequences for those actions so that they are less likely to repeat them.

As for the other comments about this terrible generation of kids we have....PLEASE DON'T GIVE UP ON THEM!!! Yes, it seems that the terrible behavior gets more 'press' but don't forget about those kids who do volunteer work, join clubs and programs that promote caring behavior, study hard to make honor roll and are involved at their place of worship. Maybe I just have a brighter outlook because I have always been involved with kids in a positive way...scouts, odyssey of the mind, community service projects, etc. The majority of kids today really are wonderful!! (and yes, I have 2 wonderful boys of my owne and one is a teen!)

 

[MrsToad]

...The problem was not the teenagers, but the parents. Where were they? I don't think it's a bad thing for the parents to give them freedom, but maybe limited freedom would have been better.

If it were my kids, and a crowded show like Fantasmic, I would have been sitting nearby. It's one thing to let them go on Space Mountain, while mom and dad take younger sibling on Buzz Lightyear, but it is completely different to set kids loose for a 2 hour wait for Fantasmic.

Teenagers are easily tempted to play teenage pranks, but in a place where pranks can get them into serious trouble with strangers, and/or CMs, the parents would be wiser not to tempt them with freedom.

It is possible the parents weren't even at WDW. During our trip 2 weeks ago we saw many groups of teens touring somewhat on their own in the parks. Many school, sports, and other groups visit and then let the kids go around the park with various check-in times to meet up with the chaperones. When our son went several years ago with the high school band and chorus, only teachers could go as chaperones. We were there to see his performances but we were at a different resort. We saw several small groups of the band members touring the parks on their own, without a chaperone in their group, during the days we were there. As a parent, it was nerve-wracking but there were no incidents with his group, thank goodness.

 

[Epcot Girl]

That is really depressing. Disney is a place for everyone to have fun and be together, and people like that just take pride in ruining it for everyone.

That makes me sick!!

 

[gigi1313]

i have a teenagers do the darndest things story of my own to share...

two weeks ago on a saturday night, when most of their friends were going to a concert, i picked up four rowdy cut-up, sometimes insubordinate teen boys (from my youth group) and took them to a church basement where they cooked, set up, served and cleaned up after dinner for thirty homeless people... they sat w/the "guests" and chatted with them, offered to pray with them, played cards with them and just hung out with them... but darn those teenagers 'cause they made a mess in the kitchen when attempting to make 60 pb&j sandwiches assembly line style... sigh... what is this world coming to with teens today?!

 

[Mickeyistheman]

You are the exception to the rule, but more and more kids are letting television raise them. Also nowadays if you say something to them the parents are the first to defend their kids.

I have to say that yes this is appalling to hear, but I am 27 years old and I have a 15 year old sister and an 18 year old brother. Both of my parents worked very hard and to say the least we were "raised" watching TV.

My brother is in college and doing very well and he is very respectable, my sister is an honor student and is very respectable and loves going to church.

So I don't think it is fair to blame TV or video games for these children's behaviors. Our parents did the best they could and I love them for that.

Unfortunatly there are just some very distrubed kids out there who feel the need to behave in horrible ways.

I think there are many parents out there with teenagers who are good kids.

But even with my younger sister, the clothing that is made for "kids" today is horrible. My mother has such a tough time because they don't make appropriate clothing anymore.

Sorry didn't mean to flame but I do understand how frustrating it must have been for the OP.

 

[KathyFP]

It was very frustrating especially for the family that needed a seat that was covered with ketchup

 

[jcooperdj]

tinkerbell mom and boom are on the right track. Good chance I would have snapped especially if they got it on me. I probabley would have gave them a alpha charlie (chewing )and tell them to go find their brains. Yes parents need to give them a , once or twice when young would do the trick and YES Gov pokes their nose just a little too much in some cases but in other cases its a good thing.




Edited for getting around the profanity filter.