“Get the students to study instead of watching television or playing on their computers or hanging out with their friends. Get them to sleep at a reasonable hour. Get them to comprehend the connection between what they accomplish in school and their chance to have a decent income and life after school. Get them to see the value of visiting museums and libraries. Get them to spend free time improving themselves instead of sleeping late, partying, or going to the movies.”
This paragraph struck me as describing some children I know who live in traditional 2-parent homes, but whose parents, for whatever reason, choose not to exercise any authority over their children. Often these parents value education and do try to instill an understanding of the link between what they do in school today and what their future options may be, and are desperate at the choices their children are making. However, I notice that they never enforce the rules or impose any consequences on unacceptable behavior.
A 2-parent home in which parents will not risk the ire of their children by enforcing the rules is just as destructive as a single parent home where there are no rules.
