Readers Don’t Agree on Reasons Why Teenagers Get Into Trouble

I read “What Gets Teens in Trouble” (Dec. 1) with great interest. It reminded me of that old TV show, “Leave It to Beaver.” Ward Cleaver was at work; June was at home. Beave did his homework. Wally stayed out of trouble. Despite Eddie Haskell.

Imagine that show today? Ward and June would be at work because there wouldn’t be enough money to pay their taxes and bills. The Beave would probably be smoking dope in his room, while Wally and Eddie would be putting the finishing touches on their pipe bomb in the basement.

It’s not too late to persuade today’s June to leave the office, be home after school’s out, make sure the Beave does his homework and keep an eye on Wally. To do this, June is going to have to get over her false guilt and change the way she votes. In those days, taxes were low. She didn’t have liberals soaking the liquidity out of the middle class the way they’re doing it now.

Last, Ward is going to have to give up Sunday morning football and usher himself and his family to a local Bible-believing church.

CHRIS WEAVER

Valencia

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The researchers of this study were surprised to find that how young people do in school and what they do in their free time were the main determinants of whether they will get in major trouble.

Ask educators this question, and the results don’t surprise us at all. For children who do poorly in school, it is almost always due to parents who are not involved in their child’s school activities. Children with too much spare time on their hands are children whose parents are neglecting their responsibility to keep involved in their child’s daily life. Everyone wants to blame the schools, the media, race, economic levels, anything but the real cause: irresponsible parents who are not doing their job.

BARBARA WHISENAND

San Juan Capistrano

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The study conducted at the University of Minnesota indicates that school failure and unsupervised time hanging out with friends are powerful influences that put kids in the greatest danger of experimenting with risky behaviors, such as weapons, sex and drugs.

Our local, state and national governments complain all the time that they do not have money to buy textbooks for children in some public schools, or repair and build new schools in some areas, or provide after-school activities for children whose parents are working. But they seem to find money to build a “star wars” defense system or give billions to Colombia to fight their drug lords. Where are our priorities and values?

ARUN J. MEHTA

Northridge