by Kate Johns

Created on: February 05, 2009

I live with three smart alecks, only I have other names for my three family members that I can't say in this article. My husband and I are the kind of people who say things off the cuff, and we say smart aleck things all the time. When our first child was born we both tried desperately to keep out swearing in check and keep out defiant, bad attitudes also under control. But that was to no avail, with me constantly telling my husband to stop swearing and to get a better attitude about life.

I don't know where they get it from?

That is one of the many reasons why we live with two child-like imitators who are smart alecks. I also blame television for giving my kids the impression that they can say obnoxious, rude and negative comments all the time. Almost every show and cartoon aimed at children whether they are aimed at pre-teens, teenagers, or elementary school aged kids have people who say smart aleck responses to almost everything.

In many cable television shows there aren't any parents present to raise their TV children, Parents are depicted to be the dumb people on many kids shows and the kids are reasoned to be the smart ones who can do whatever they want whenever they want. Since when is it acceptable for twin ten year olds to run around a hotel by themselves all day and night long, while their single parent Mom is hardly ever home? Where is she and how can they afford to live in an expensive hotel when it seems Mom isn't responsible enough to even have a job?

What is a kid to do?

Children are raised in today's world to be smart mouths. It has become an acceptable part of society for kids and adults as well to say rude, obnoxious, funny things. The characteristics of a smart aleck are being obnoxious, he says funny things. He is the class clown. She is the person who says to an adult when you tell your daughter to do the dishes, " I have better things to do right now." You may hear your kids saying things like: "I'll do it later."

Other characteristics of a smart aleck is someone who says funny positive things. Many of my son's friends say things that are very funny. My son who is currently 17, will says words and sentences that are very true and very funny. He makes me laugh and so do his friends. Teens today are still wide-eyed and innocent, but they also have a certain cynicism also. They are delivering back what they have learned for so many years with television, radio, MTV and other programs aimed at kids that say smart aleck responses. Kids have grown

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