Rites of Passage

Governor M. Jodi Rell says she wants strict penalties for those students who make Bomb threats. I agree, but ask myself how did this happen? Why do children think it is “cool” to call in a bomb threat? When did pranks cross the line? Perhaps it is when parents stopped parenting and tried to be “cool” with their children. Perhaps it is when parents and society accepted more and more anti social behaviors as a “right of passage”.
Each Halloween, when I see toilet paper strewn across the trees, I can’t help think about the tress that gave up their lives to make the paper and those countries that can’t afford to have any. How about the eggs that are thrown at houses? How many children go hungry while our youngsters enjoy their right of passage?
Pranks have been going on for years. I’m sure I was involved in many. The difference is that we were accountable for our actions, and whatever I did, I had to apologize and clean it up. My parents did condone my actions and I learned responsibility and accountability. I learned to see and care about others.
What our children have learned is to lack respect and consideration for others as their right of passage. Today it is bomb threats, tomorrow …?