As a parent and as someone concerned at the bashing young people seem to be getting in the media I have read closely the discussions surrounding Julie Myerson’s disclosures. As now also identified as the woman behind the anonymous column in the Guardian’s Family Section called ‘Living With Teenagers’ she is certainly not naïve about the media.
Whether it is right or wrong to write about your own children is surely up to each individual to decide. Myerson’s writing has made people realize they are not alone in the volatile and complex world of teenagers’ lives. She has been condemned by many for exposing her family life and for evicting her son because of his disruptive behavior.
What seems to be forgotten here is that young people have to take some responsibility for what happens to them. There are consequences to our actions. Some behaviours are unacceptable and go against our values. If an older sibling is giving drugs to his younger siblings then that to me is a valid reason to throw that young person out.
It is very glib for someone to write in Guardian letters that it’s all the fault of ‘appalling parenting skills’ and throwing the young person onto the streets is not advisable. But I think when the whole family is sinking under the strain of one person’s addiction whether it be drugs, alcohol or gambling then drastic action has to be taken. Every parent who chooses this road is torn apart. Before this decision is reached there have often been years of failed negotiations and broken promises.
Of course as parents we need to question how we parent – this is a life long learning curve- but the young person has to take some responsibility for such a heart rendering situation.
What do you think? – Share your thoughts with us.
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