Improper, neglectful parenting to blame for troubled youth
Once again, we see harrowing news about youth violence. When will our country’s leaders learn that the cause of this behavior is lack of proper parenting?
We are told that the parents of 15-year-old Ethan Crumbley were pursued to answer charges in the recent school shooting in Oxford, Michigan. According to prosecutor Karen Mcdonald, the parents’ related actions are suspect and/or criminal.
Chronicling a path of neglect, Detroit Free Press relates that a former neighbor reported that during 201415, the Crumbleys frequently left Ethan alone while they were drinking at bars in Lake Orion, their former hometown. Ethan was a still-formative 8-9 years old.
Apparently, calls were made to children’s protective services and Ethan would ask that his parents be contacted.
Hours before the Oxford attack, a teenager again cried out for help.
We are informed that Ethan wrote, “help me” alongside a drawing of a bullet and bleeding person. It was too late. Once again, his parents failed him by refusing to sacrifice a few hours to take their desperate son home and seek counseling.
Repeatedly, we are subjected to grandiose plans of civic leaders to solve gun violence: legislation, plans, inclusion, meetings, and of course, money. All for naught. What better example of what we need than Oxford, Michigan?
Whenever we see troubled youth, we look deeper and see a history of child neglect and irresponsible parenting.
It’s getting late.
Don Denton, Westerville