I was toiling away in my office yesterday when my attention was drawn to a disturbance outside.
It became abundantly clear that some fellow had brought some youngsters into town to ride their skateboards – in this case, in the skateboard free zone around the Napier City Council and Library buildings. A parking warden was requiring them to stop and depart.
The parents’ behaviour, in front of these impressionable young kids was just appalling. He was arguing that they had “a right” to be able to skate in this prohibited area. He argued that the kids skateboards were vehicles and vehicles were not banned – the nonsense went on and on. In the end the police came.
To me, this incident epitomised everything that is wrong with society. We have brought these kids up telling them they have rights and don’t be pushed around. We have been ridiculously soft on penalties. We have encouraged them to challenge authority. Now they have kids of their own, this scary pattern is going one further. The next generation is saying to hell with authority I’m going to do exactly what I want. And you know, in this soft feely touchy climate that pervades society today, there is very little we can do about it.
The really frightening thought is that our society is clearly taking the early steps on a path that can only lead to the total breakdown of law and order. To anarchy.
Whatever happened to parents who would say to their kids, I think the bylaw is wrong, however it is a bylaw and you must obey it.
Whatever happened to parents who would say to their kids, I don’t like some of society’s rules so I am going to work hard and get myself in a position to make changes? Wouldn’t that be a better example to young kids?
Every night we hear of youths up to no good, tipping over cars, stealing, fleeing the police, attacking police. They have no respect for the rule of law.
And frankly that attitude develops when they are encouraged to skateboard where it is prohibited and then watch their father insult and abuse the officer who is charged with the responsibility of enforcing the rules.
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