First of all. There are a lot of stupid kids. Stupid kids do stupid things. Having said that, the Mpls. Washburn incident is much a do about nothing. We have bigger fish to fry. In a few years half of those kids will be packing heat and the other half will be knocked up.

Becky,

We have a high economic diversity here in the West Metro. Some teens are offered the iphone and asked to be responsible with it. Development of strong wills, frontal lobe brain growth, and the desire for adventure, possibly in families affected by financial downturn have a strong drive to earn their own money, are into pot use and selling. The anxiety this causes can be a real trigger for odd academic behavior and denial of any poor choices. Kids who have lots of mental and physical energy not accepted in school or yet harnessed often seek a similar "calm", which can morph into selling pot to those who desparately want it stressful times of middle school and high school. It seems to be happening and adults are involved.
As far as girls and boys, they are using MeetUp to meet people and parents aren't really aware that they are doing this on Facebook. The oversight is of opportunities for parties. It's good to be in touch with a fading teen.

I think the Washburn doll incident was blown WAY over board. If there was no note, why does everyone just JUMP to the conclusion that just because the doll is not white, this has to be a RACIAL statement, rather than the possibility that some mischevious kids were just having fun (be it crude) with a toy?

Maybe I'm wrong but it seems that way back when, punishments for kids at home and at school were much more serious and appropriately harsh. Kids have always done stupid things but they didn't do them as often as they do now because the consequences are minimal.

Parents need to look into themselves to see if any of their actions or comments subtle or otherwise may be prejudicial. Discussions about race and prejudice should be held in the home.. It is my belief that if your kids are taught about these subjects in the home they would know right from wrong. Look at some parents behavior at their kids sports events. These are some of the unspoken subtle forms of prejudice.

I do daycare and can tell you one thing I know for certain... It all starts at home with discipline, boundaries, rules and being consistent while your child is young. If a parent doesn't stay consistent, they inadvertantly give the child all the power. Parents do not want to 'deal with power struggles', but if you do not take the power back now, it will be almost impossible to take it back during the teenage years. Children need boundaries and rules; and actually thrive and are much happier having them. Another issue is that the teenagers today seem more entitled than any generation seen before. They have too many technologies and are not working hard for things as teenagers in the past have had to do. Put this all together and then you may have disaster waiting to happen. And I disagree, teens are not stupid! They make bad choices based on life experiences! It is up to the parents to talk about racism, prejudices while they are still young. Give them experiences! Let them help in the community, in soup kitchens, cleaning ditches, etc... It will be a humbling experience and something they can take some pride away with.

Rita,

I am learning that some teens go ahead and damage property because they feel they have the upper hand. Completely agree with you that boys, girls, and their parents might see these as "stupid" acts, but the mentality and behavior continue.

Hockey players that I have known all my life do stupid things. They start out stupid and after many knocks to the head, they are even more incapable of using good judgment. No surprise there in Maple Grove nor anywhere else for that matter regarding these Neanderthals AND their parents.