| When George Bush announced the "Bush | | | | |
| Doctrine" as a policy of preemptive attacks | | | | Consequently, advances in technology that |
| on terrorists and states that harbor them, | | | | make these accurate, real-time tools |
| citizens lined up both for and against his | | | | available to parents often go unused until |
| argument. When it comes to parenting and the | | | | it's too late. Often parents unwilling to use |
| dangers facing teens during adolescence, some | | | | such tools, or use them properly, will |
| parents have begun implementing their own | | | | accept heavier losses if not outright defeat. |
| version of the "Bush Doctrine" as critics try | | | | Quality intelligence gathering is the |
| to make their voices heard as well. | | | | cornerstone of an effective battle plan. |
| | | | |
| Sexual predators targeting children in | | | | Ben Franklin once said, "Wise is the man who |
| Internet chat rooms, temptations to drive | | | | fixes his roof before it rains." If ol' Ben |
| recklessly and at high speeds, and substance | | | | were alive today, I'm certain he would |
| abuse all threaten the lives and well-being | | | | encourage parents to sit down with their kids |
| of teens. | | | | long before such problems were likely to |
| | | | occur to explain their expectations, the |
| Most parents, whether they know it, or will | | | | tools at their disposal, and the rewards and |
| admit it, have teens who have been at risk | | | | consequences tied to the information they |
| from these dangers. | | | | gathered. |
| | | | |
| Where should parents draw the line in their | | | | Kids need to know that their parents are on |
| family's personal battle with these | | | | their side and that they are united against |
| "terrorists of adolescence," you know... the | | | | common foes. Parents need to let their teens |
| people and activities that put a teen's life | | | | know they are providing them with a "socially |
| and well-being at stake? Are parents even in | | | | acceptable" excuse to deter pushy peers. What |
| the fight? How committed are they and for how | | | | could be a more potent response for teens |
| long? | | | | than "I can't: my parents are checking"? |
| | | | |
| The enemy is present and totally committed. | | | | Ronald Reagan, in dealing with the Soviet |
| Parents are woefully outnumbered and | | | | Union during the Cold War, took a "trust and |
| surrounded, and their enemy will never, ever | | | | verify" approach that when applied by parents |
| give up. However, in parents' arsenal, they | | | | properly in this capacity can help parents |
| possess the most powerful weapon of all. If | | | | and teens find a reasonable middle ground. |
| misused, this weapon could be ineffective and | | | | Trust without verification removes the |
| may even backfire. What is this weapon? It's | | | | leverage and power the bond of trust has on |
| the bond of trust between parents and their | | | | teens. Many teens believe (and rightfully so) |
| teens. | | | | that their parents are easily duped and don't |
| | | | know what's going on. With this belief, teens |
| Why would parents object to putting a GPS | | | | doubt their mischief will ever be discovered |
| system in their teen's car to alert them when | | | | and don't feel their parental bond of trust |
| their teens broke family rules (and often | | | | is in jeopardy. Little or no behavioral |
| laws) by driving their car too far, too fast, | | | | deterrent exists. Additionally, without |
| or recklessly? Why would they scoff at the | | | | verification, a window of opportunity exists |
| idea of putting software capable of | | | | for uninformed parents to cause damage to the |
| retrieving their teen's email and Internet | | | | bond of trust by falsely assuming that their |
| chat room discussions on their family | | | | kids aren't deserving of their trust and |
| computer? Knowing that substance abuse is | | | | treating them accordingly. |
| illegal, addictive, and deadly, why would | | | | |
| parents refuse to implement a home drug | | | | If decisions are only as sound as the facts |
| testing program that would allow them to know | | | | on which they are based, more information is |
| which, if any substances their teens were | | | | better than less. Facts trump gut instinct, |
| using? While parents as well as teens value | | | | and it's better to get important information |
| the bond of trust, some choose to believe | | | | sooner rather than later. "Terrorists of |
| that merely suggesting that these tools may | | | | adolescence" exist, and parents are equipped |
| be necessary, makes them the first to break | | | | with the most powerful weapons in the battle. |
| that bond. | | | | It's simply up to parents to use them wisely. |