Sinister Message in Curbs on Teenagers

Kudos to your feature on the increasing restrictions being placed on our youth (“Control Issues,” Jan. 1). As parents enthuse over curfews and driving restrictions; as blue-jeans-clad moms drop their uniform-wearing offspring each morning at their public schools, a sinister message is being sent: We have found conformity to be so safe that we are going to impose it on our children, for freedom of expression is too dangerous.

JAMES VAN SCOYOC, Los Angeles

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I suggest that we give more--not less--control to young people. In our society, parents find it impossible to be with their children much of the time. Their children must build their own lives.

So Mom and Dad should put arms around their kids and say, “We’re not trying to put guardrails around you or your mind. To build a rewarding life, you are going to have to make good choices always and everywhere.” And then by example, parents provide the motivation and inspiration.

JULIAN MEYERS, Century City