There is some confusion within our society over what
activities are age-appropriate for the youth. Parents and caregivers may be
jumping the gun in a rush to share interests or activities with their kids. A
few recent examples brought this to mind.
On August 25th a nine year old girl was taken
by her parents to a gun range outside of Las Vegas. The local range instructor
consented to giving the youngster an introduction to a fully automatic Uzi
machine gun. While the mom was filming the “intro” the young novice was unable
to control the muzzle climb and shot the instructor in the head, killing him. I
gave my oldest daughter a single-shot .22 rifle for her 8th birthday
and taught her the importance of gun safety, but she was not allowed to shoot
my more powerful weapons.
In a rush towards “tolerance”, grade school children are
taught about alternative lifestyles through both school curriculum (in some
cases) and the media. My 5 year old grandson asked earlier this year how one
knows if one is gay or straight? I remember my surprise when I attended the sex
education class in 8th grade. I don’t think it is healthy to
introduce the subject any earlier.
Watching vacationers this summer, some pre-teens were
given 4 wheelers and allowed to drive vehicles capable of speeds in excess of
50 mph unsupervised on streets and trails. Kids are being given small, powerful
ATVs when they use to be treated to those battery-powered toys that couldn’t do
5 mph.
A 9 year old should not be shooting an automatic weapon;
a grade school child does not need to know about sexuality and a pre-teen
should not be turned loose on a powerful motor vehicle. Without the maturity that
comes with age, the young cannot see the consequences that may result from a
bad choice in adult situations. Their life can be scarred forever in an instant.
The
responsibility of a parent to know what skills and knowledge to teach one’s
child includes WHEN to impart that information. Some adults are in a hurry to
introduce the youth to the things that adults find important or fun. There is
plenty of time for kids to grow up, why rush the process?
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