Curfew Enforcement

In letters to the editor on “Curfew Enforcement” (Aug. 4), David Silverstein cites lack of responsibility, accountability and maturity in his criticism of a 17-year-old, while David A. Spencer asks: “Why don’t you and your fun-seeking ilk have anything better to do after 10 p.m.?”

I resisted the strongest of urges to comment on the teen curfew. After all, what was the point? This was just another case of denial, a shift of blame. The very people who advocate the curfew are the very ones responsible for its need.

Are we to blame our children for the environment we have created? So we really expect them to understand civility, morality, responsibility when we have not practiced those things ourselves? We were the “Me Generation.” We are the ones who put our own desires ahead of our responsibilities, even to the extent of abdicating our duties as parents and teachers. Now we blame them!

Nick St. George shows maturity commensurate with his age! We adults, Silverstein and Spencer included, would do well to emulate him. No change can occur until we admit our sad role in the corruption of our children. In any event, what should they do after 10 p.m., stay home and watch wholesome and educational TV?

WILLIAM H. BRADY

Reseda

* Two July 28 articles create an interesting juxtaposition.

Nick St. George (Valley Perspective) makes a plea that, because he and his friends are young now, they should have no restrictions, curfews or responsibilities. It is their time to have fun without having “to keep busy procuring the necessities of existence.” The life and liberty of the young should not be restrained, no matter what the price.

In the magazine section of that same issue, the article “Why?” describes a group of teenagers “having fun” with no restrictions, no adult supervision, and, obviously, no sense of responsibility. As a result of this total freedom, four of the young men are dead, several injured, and one, I assume, burdened for life with the results of their joint “freedom to have fun.”

St. George sounds like a spoiled brat, wanting whatever he wants now, with no regard for anyone else. Until youth grows up enough to understand that whatever freedoms they take has another side--responsibility--society needs to have curfews and other restrictions for everyone’s sake and safety.

MARIAN HARVEY

Woodland Hills