by Charlie H.

Created on: June 27, 2008   Last Updated: September 06, 2008

Many will perhaps put blame on the adults, the school officials who are allegedly responsible for teaching our children about everything from the traditional ABC's to the difference between right and wrong and how to make wise choices for life. But is it really their responsibility to set children's foundations about such things as this?

Where are the parents? Isn't it the parents who normally talk to their kids about the "birds and the bees"? Don't the parents have responsibility for their children's decisions while the children are under the legal age?

Our educational system should certainly supply solid and meaningful teachings for all facets of life, so students are well rounded and can think for themselves as they learn more and more. However, schools and teachers can only do so much toward grooming perfect children. And, parents can only do so much, too.

In my opinion, our entire society and system of social mores is ultimately responsible for how children learn some of the things that adults would rather they did not learn just yet. The entertainment world is probably most responsible, since anything goes in that venue.

Unfortunately, since we live in a "free society" with "freedom of expression", and the like; it remains up to parents to try to police and block out off-color or otherwise offensive programming or information or influences that might be considered to be too bold or too harsh or too sexy or too violent for children (remember the "V-chip"?). But, how much can parents do when such stuff is literally everywhere?

Everywhere we look, there are powerful influences dangling in front of us for open sex, gross and gory violence, shameless infidelity, daring and risque lifestyles, and much more. Daytime soap-operas are rife with scandals, extra-marital affairs, vengeance, hatred, greed, and other unhealthy phenomena. How do we really expect parents or teachers to offset all of those powerful influences?

If we try to block out such things in an attempt to protect the children, what will the children think when they finally see what life is really all about? Will they think their parents and teachers lied to them? What else can they conclude, since life will eventually show them the truth; even if adults cannot or will not.

Should we ban such things in society so our children cannot be subjected to them? Maybe that's another good debate topic, and one that could open up thinking; but (thankfully) our Constitution guarantees the right to free speech

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