He was involved with the Wolfpack. I have spent the last year exhausted from sleepless nights looking for him or trying to find help to get him off the street.
I love my children more than anything on this earth. I have talked to many counselors, doctors, child-care professionals and the term used for some of these youngsters is "antisocial" child. A child with this conduct disorder does not accept obligations, the academic process or socially accepted activities. They will not put up with anyone or anything that doesn't give them immediate gratification. They blame others for their own shortcomings anytime they are called for misconduct and they get more resourceful at convincing others they are not at fault. At times, they try to gain sympathy by talking of good intentions. They think of themselves as the victim.
The fact is, however, that they choose this kind of behavior. These kids know right from wrong. The majority of kids in this town are responsible enough to stay out of trouble and not do harm even though there is no "teen center." I believe a teen center is a great thing to have. I am all for it. I think we need one. But not having one is no excuse for bad behavior. I will not be duped into believing otherwise. Kids as well as adults need to be accountable for their own actions. Anyone claiming to be an advocate for these kids and blaming the misbehavior all on the parent and stating that parents here don't care about their kids doesn't have a clue.
We need adults who will counsel these kids and be good role models, not enable their bad behavior or give their excuses any merit.
I am not going to let out any big secret by saying that it's legal in this state to run away at 16 years of age. The kids here know this. We need to give some power back to the parents. Please tell your government representatives it should not be legal at age 16 to run away. Kids at 16 years of age are not ready to be on their own. We need laws and facilities that help a parent keep kids off the streets. With the current laws, parents' and true child advocates' hands are tied.
Kathy McMurray is the mother of two teenagers.
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