Immaturity + little real education + no sense + lack of real values = what we see today.

There are some parents and guardians AND teachers trying to do right by these kids, but he influences that those kids have to deal with (kids without the good upbringing) end up taking a real toll–as Web said).

I teach in a overly-affluent district. We have kids that refuse to do their work, fail on purpose, and cause issues within the school. I’ve had students taken out of school in handcuffs. Now, imagine what it is like for the majority of students in places like Camden, Philly, Trenton, etc. . . Allentown, Reading, and rust belt areas…just awful. Educators can only do so much. You know what keeps the majority of my students in line? The fear of mom’s and dad’s wrath. When you don’t have that or a healthy fear and/or respect of authority, you cannot do your job.

High school is actually a gang recruiting tool. They have recruiters there that are incredibly effective. They either provide a brotherhood to replace the complete lack of any family bond, or they threaten the non affiliated youth with their own demise. In fact the only place more effective in recruiting gang members is Juvi. The hours of the day in inner city High school are spent networking (who puts out), and learning how to get the hook ups (the finer points of the illicit commodities market). Problem is when you have 60 – 70 percent of a school district that either refuses to, or is unable to learn the curriculum, you cant fail them all, thats not PC. So at about 18-19 years old they are sent out into the streets perfectly trained for inner city life, and ready to go to their college – Jail (advanced degree in inner city life). It is really a shame, and it all stems from the first thing I said, no family. If I had come home and said I joined a gang the newly acquired fear of God and my Momma would trump any gang presence. You take these same kids and raise them from birth in a decent neighborhood and they would probably be good kids. Sorry I went off here, but it is just such a shame to see this many young lives be thrown away ….