Originally posted by chdude3 So what did kids do before there were drugs? I can't help but think that there must be a number of more positive alternatives than drugs for a teen to turn to. And I'd be more than happy to discuss these with my child, if it will keep them away from drugs until they are old enough to make a responsible decision.

there's the problem right there everyone calls them kids they're not kids or children they are young adults but because society won't see them as adults they're stuck in the middle not children not adults, the children treat them as adults and the adults treat them like kids and people complain about how teenagers are always acting up? they have a voice too and want to be heard and respected. granted respect is something earned and not given but how do you earn respect if everyone sees and treats you like a child? and never tell a teenager that the teen years are the best years of their life, that's only in retrospect, living through those years are sometimes the most difficult thing to do. Back in the days of my grandparents there were children and there were adults there was no in-between, when a child hit puberty they were considered adults and treated as such.




(maybe i should start a new thread on the trials and tribulations of being a teenager)

Originally posted by chdude3 So what did kids do before there were drugs? I can't help but think that there must be a number of more positive alternatives than drugs for a teen to turn to. And I'd be more than happy to discuss these with my child, if it will keep them away from drugs until they are old enough to make a responsible decision.

My point is not that they do the drugs for "fun" but rather that they are usually using it as an escape from schoolwork, awkward social situations and other things. (I am of course referring to excessive/regular use).

Even "positive" pursuits can be destructive if they overtake things like schoolwork and relationships with family and friends. I've seen kids cut school to play their guitar, and end up with lousy grades and/or dropping out, too. It's not just drugs (and I am talking about excessive use, I don't think trying a joint at a summer party makes a kid irresponsible).

In my experience, when a kid starts to put other things (books, games, music, drugs) ahead of more important things (schoolwork, family, friends) there is a problem. The type of kids (mentioned in an earlier post by Hannah) who choose to smoke up, rather than go to class have decided being under the influence of marijuana is preferable to school. They have decided school is unimportant, and that's the problem that needs to be addressed. It isn't so much that being stoned is great, it is that these other things have been diminished.

Overall, I think people should learn to be happy being themselves without the influence of other substances. That said, I really don't think occasional, responsible use of marijuana is a terrible thing. Not something I am personally partial to, but I have numerous friends who do smoke occasionally and most of them are very successful.

It's a long way off, since my daughter is still in diapers, but I hope I can teach her to value a clear head, and enjoy her school and other activities. There's no need for substance abuse of any kind.

Originally posted by s_quiggles there's the problem right there everyone calls them kids they're not kids or children they are young adults but because society won't see them as adults

I've treated mature 11 year olds as an adult, and I've treated infantile 18 year olds as children.

It is completely a case-by-case basis. Some children/adolscents are responsible, and some are not. I like to think I give them all a fair shot to prove themselves, but if they haven't earned my respect, they aren't going to get it.

I was simply using a catch-all word, I wasn't trying to imply that I see young adults as wayward children.

you may not but the general population does, i used to scare old people when i was a teenager cause i looked the part of the bad kid just crawled off the streets sort of thing but i was always willing to give them a hand if needed, it was my way of saying hey just because we look strange or act strange does not mean that we are bad kids with no respect for our elders..

Originally posted by s_quiggles you may not but the general population does, i used to scare old people when i was a teenager cause i looked the part of the bad kid just crawled off the streets sort of thing but i was always willing to give them a hand if needed, it was my way of saying hey just because we look strange or act strange does not mean that we are bad kids with no respect for our elders..

When I was younger, I did have to learn the hard way to not judge people on their looks alone. And I'll admit that sometimes I still do make a snap judgement - which thankfully is often unfounded.

However, I can't help certain thoughts that run through my mind when I see anyone smoking up - even if it is medicinal.... I'll admit that failing.

I know very little about marijuana, but I do believe that we have too many lackeys posing as Senators in this country!

I, for one, would welcome an actual elected Senate. That, and a few more things to change so we would actually live in a democracy, rather than a socialist country. Party politics where what one mans says, goes, is not a democracy.

I digress. Legalizing pot? There's a whole infrastructure waiting to happen for that one, plus the government would just love a new source of tax revenue.