IT TAKES A VILLAGE...

On this page...

What Others Are Saying
Remember the Innocent Webring
Resources
Violence Prevention Booklets
Hearts Across the Internet Webring

UPDATED: 6/14/03

"It's not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are" -- Roy Disney

I am a firm believer in the old saying, "It takes a village to raise a child." I believe it's time for the world to adopt this attitude in hopes that it will show all children they important.

Morals and values MUST start in the home, right from wrong MUST start in the home, but when our children walk out that door to go to school, play with their friends, visit their friends and relatives, etc., it is then we need the village to back us up. I believe it's time to put children first and put an end to our seriously troubled times. Let's work together to help make our youth of this world have a brighter present and future!

"Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent." -- Author unknown.

Make a Difference with ClubMom
Want to give back but don't have the time? Learn new ways to reach out, pursue a cause -- we'll show you how. Click here to join ClubMom for free.

What Others Are Saying About Violence Amongst Our Youth

This comment is from my daughter (12 years old) in her own words: Hi, my name is Chrissy Simms. What I think about people shooting guns. Well first what I would like to say is that when shooting is done people think that the video games, TV or kids playing with fake guns - like water guns are the reason, but sometimes it's the parents that don't talk to them about their problems or about the way they are feeling, and sometimes parents abuse them or treat them wrong.
Also the parents let them get the bad CD's that tell you violence is right. Some kids just need love. I would like to ask a question to all those that are reading this. If you have guns in your house, your kids can get them, so I encourage all of you to please think when you have a gun in your house for your kids sake, love, think and do.

Comments: "What are some of the things you believe we can do to help stop violence amongst our youth? *** I'm not sure if anyone of us have a solution. Society has changed so much. Maybe parents should set their standard of living lower so one parent can stay at home. What do you believe may be the causes and what can we do about them? *** Allow families to disipline their kids without the worries of social services stepping in. Have gov't bring down taxes so that both parents dont have to work. I believe the family unity is not there like it used to be. As you may be aware...we just had our own incident here and its a terrifying thought of what kids must be thinking of now when they have to get up in the morning and head to school. Is it going to happen again ????? Thanks Debbie for allowing me to have a point of view on this matter." -- Starky

***** Comments: "I think a lot of violence is spawned by the feeling of a lack of control. Early on children should be given choices and learn to understand the benefits or natural consequences of their choices. Parents should make themselves available and help guide the choices presented. Children have to know that anger is a natural reaction to certain situations and need to be able to express their anger. Here again parental guidence is mandatory. Responsibility is such a dreaded word, but children need to take responsibility for their actions. Compassion...can compassion be taught?? Are some people naturally more compassionate than others or is cruelty the learned behaviour? I don't know the answer but I venture a guess that, however ingrained a behaviour is in a personality, a good role model can help offset a tendency toward cruelty. Above all I think parents need to talk to their kids, really take the time and understand them as people with their own views, their own opinions, their own budding life." ***** Comments: I feel that todays youth are lacking parental guidance.. i feel that If parents were MORE involved in their kids lives non of this sort of killings and violence would happen the way it does NOW.. what needs to be done is Parents Need to Communicate with their children. TALK TO THEM, FIND OUT WHAT"S GOIN ON IN THEIR LIVES, Become part of your childs life.. NOT just their food source. I also feel that Parents need to DISCIPLINE their children as well as LOVE THEM.. you CANNOT DO ONE WITHOUT THE OTHER.. BOTH ARE IMPORTANT.. LOVE AND DISCIPLINE.. equally.. Hugs, Janice aka whymee2 ps.. GREAT QUESTION DEB.. hope you get some great answers.. hugs" ***** Comments: "The family unit no longer exist. Sure there are familys that still have a mom and dad, but very few are the family of old. You constantly see parents on tv talk shows saying, "We can't control our children." Why? If you are the adult, its your responsibility to be in control. What happened to family dinners? To family time? To the extended family of close relatives and neighbors? The first thing everyone says is, well, both parents have to work now. My response, AND??? During the war, did not most women work because the men weren't even in the country at the time?? The youth violence then didn't escalate to this porportion. How many families still attend church (of any kind, not just Christian), as a family? It's a matter of respect. A parent has to teach a child to have respect. Without respect for parents, they misbehave. Without respect for someone else's property, they steal. Without respect for life, they murder. Without respect for themselves, there is no hope." -- Dawn ***** Comments: "There are so many thoughts that come to mind for me on this issue, but I won't beat around the bush here. We are in dire need of adopting the attitude, "It takes a village to raise a child..." No, that does NOT mean we should rid parents of the fact that they are the very first in line to raise their child the best way they can -- it means we as a society need to take this issue very, very seriously once and for all and think about the most important person here -- A CHILD! My thoughts are: 1. If someone confronts you and shares concern for your child -- DON'T take it defensively! Nobody expects you to be perfect, because there isn't such a thing, but to be in denial and think that your child couldn't possibly be in need of help can very well lead to losing that wonderful human being! Be grateful someone cares enough about your child and you to say something. It's VERY NORMAL to take on some defense because it is very difficult to face that your child may be troubled, but to turn that defensiveness into denial could very well mean life or death for your child. 2. Don't be scared to tell another parent you are concerned about their child. If you see that they are going to ignore or deny your concerns, find someone else to tell (a teacher, social services, a priest, a rabbi, etc.) You could be saving the life of a child and others. 3. Use all your senses -- hear, listen, see.... most of all talk -- communicate with your child. 4. Most importantly -- children need to feel they are worthy by everyone invovled in their lives. 5. Put an end to blaming someone else or something else. There isn't any doubt that there are MANY contributing factors that HELP cause violence, but instead of spending so much time with the blame, look at each possible aid and do whatever it takes to change it. We can debate the possibly reasons until we are blue in the face -- we need to do something about it. The smallest effort could mean huge and positive results. I believe every child is worth that effort and they need to know that we feel so. I have many other thoughts on this, but am now turning the floor over to all of you..." -- Me

"Be kind to unkind people -- they need it the most" -- Author unknown

This RingSurf Remember The Innocent Net Ring owned by It Takes a Village.... Want to join Remember The Innocent Webring?
[Skip Prev] [Prev] [Next] [Skip Next] [Random] [Next 5] [ List Sites]

whitedot RESOURCES

Go To My Preteen/Teenager Page
AAP: Raising Children To Resist Violence
AFR Children Activities to Learn Responsible Behavior
Bully No More
Center for the Prevention of School Violence
Early Warning, Timely Response: A Guide to Safe Schools
Family: How Do Children Learn Values
Family Values Network
National Alliance for Safe Schools
Precious Children: Helping Your Child Learn Responsible Behavior
Preparing Troubled Youth for the Future
Raising Self-Reliant Children in a Self-Indulgent World
Safe Schools Coalition, Inc.
Second Step Youth Violence Prevention Program
Tackling Youth Crime
Teen Help
U.S. Department of Education: Safe & Drug Free Schools Program
Youth Violence: What Other Organizations Are Doing

No Excuse For Child Abuse Graphic from Families on the Web

Click on this picture to learn more about preventing child abuse

whitedot BOOKLETS ON VIOLENCE PREVENTION

These booklets can be obtained from Book By Scriptographic, Channing L. Bete Co., Inc., 200 State Road, South Deerfield, MA 01373-0200.
To order or order a catalog call Toll Free: 1-800-628-7733 or Fax 1-800-449-6464.

My Book About Violence - a coloring book for ages 3-6 for helping preschoolers recognize certain types of behaviors as violent. It encourages children to tell a parent, teacher or counselor.

You Can Help Prevent Violence: A Coloring Book & Activities Book - For ages 6-9. It makes kids aware of violent messages from TV, etc., and suggests healthy ways to deal with anger.

Let's Say "No Way" To Violence: An Information & Activities Book - For ages 9-12. Through puzzles and activities this gets kids to examine the mixed messages society gives about violence and teaches them to resolve conflicts in healthy ways.

What Every Teen Should Know About Self-Protection Provides advice on staying safe.

You, Your Child & Violence For parents. Helps parents protect their children from violence by teaching the skills for handling conflicts.

whitedot ANGER

Feeling Angry - A Coloring & Activities Book For ages 6-9. Helps children manage anger, understanding anger and shows ways to express anger in a better way. Encourages "Think Before Acting."

Let's Talk About Anger: Information & Activities Book For ages 9-12. Helps preteens learn to recognize their anger and implement anger control such as talking it ou and brainstorming.

Anger - What Young People Should Know. Guides teens away from violence as an outlet for their anger.

The Armor and the Mask. A teens story about respect.

Dealing with My Anger A teens story.

Self-Control Puts You In Charge - A Guide for Young People. Young readers learn to identify and cope with stressful situations.

"What's popular isn't always right. What's right isn't always popular" -- Author unknown

"Never look down on anyone unless you're helping them up." -- Author unknown

This RingSurf webring
Hearts across the Internet
site is owned by

Debbie Simms.

Want to join the Hearts across the Internet Webring?

[Previous] [Next] [Random Site] [Next 5 Sites] [List Sites]

This RingSurf webring Hearts across the Internet site is owned by Debbie Simms. Want to join the Hearts across the Internet Webring?
[Previous] [Next] [Random Site] [Next 5 Sites] [List Sites]

Back to Main Page | General Parenting Links | Preteen/Teenager Page