Sometimes Kids are dumb

So I was at work today, at the Clareview skatepark and I noticed something that has been staring me in the face for a long time. Youth (now remember I adore them...but...) are getting progressively dumber. Let me explain: A group of kids, maybe 14 or 15 max, decided that it would be a good idea to roll a joint RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME! I mean seriously, what kid doesn't expect me to tell them to take it elsewhere. So, just as they lit up, I wandered over and told them to take their pot elsewhere. Now, that on it's own- not that big a deal. The thing is the crazy blank eyed stares that they gave me. They simply didn't understand what I was saying. It was like: "What? What did we do? OH! the pot! Well jeez, it never even occured to me. Sorry Zita". I mean, what happened to the art of discretion? To not getting caught? To being sly and knowing that you're breaking the rules? And more importantly, to being afraid of the consequences??? I remember when I was a kid, there was NO WAY, I would ever have done drugs or drank or whatever out in public like that. Especially not in front of a park supervisor? Just wander off into the field across the street, like a sane person would. Or better yet, do what I used to do, and go just outside the fence to taunt me about how there's nothing I can do about it! But to just sit there? Seriously, are you stupid???

Maybe it's because the concept of consequence has become so dated in our society. Kids aren't punished the way we used to be. We seem to believe that drugs and alcohol are simply a reality of youth and that they will do it anyway, so it's not worth punishing. Well, guess what! It was a reality of youth 10 years ago too. And I would have gotten my ass kicked if I would've gotten caught.

It made me wonder, where are the parents' of these kids. One little guy, maybe 12, waited for his mom for FOUR hours after she told him she'd be leaving in half an hour. The poor kid hadn't eaten in 7 hours, no small feat when you've got the munchies.

I don't know. All I can tell you is that I was stunned silent (no small feat for Zita) by their reaction to me. They weren't even rebelling any more. It was so common that they've forgotten that it's wrong.

I know that it's pot, and it's not the end of the world. But let's remember, for the moment it's still illegal. At what point do we allow our kids to break the law?

I have a headache.
Zita