It's not a criticism, it's an observation.
Toy guns and sex crimes
Mike Cox

When I was in elementary school, I learned how to fold notebook paper into a triangle. We could play desk football until a stray field goal entered the teacher's line of sight. Those same innocent triangles could be also be used as make- believe guns.

Nearly every boy in Alexander Consolidated School had folded pieces of paper strapped to his waist and could draw and fire at a moment's notice. As long as we didn't disrupt class, the teachers were fine. In those days, teachers had a voice in what happened in school.

Last week, an elementary school boy was suspended over a picture of a person holding a gun. I know it's a different world but, jeez. What have we turned into?

A combination of idiotic personal beliefs based on emotion rather than fact, spineless school administrators, and policy making based on potential litigation, has turned growing up into a minefield. I really feel bad for today's children.

Nearly every school policy board features political lifers and born again crusaders. One group lacks the backbone to do what's right. The other wants to save today's youth from having a normal childhood. Kids are encased in bubble wrap until adulthood, then expected to magically become sensible, well adjusted, productive people.

The result is a schizophrenic approach to discipline; a long list of actions and overreactions that shelter kids from life lessons and simultaneously treat them like miniature adults incapable of making even one mistake. Throw in a media driven by advertising rates and ratings willing to publish or broadcast anything the least bit inflammatory or suggestive, and you have children unable to do anything but screw up, then adults who overreact to those screw ups.

The list is impressive. Television stories about preteens sexually harassing other children. A school champion skeet shooter being arrested for having unopened boxes of ammunition in her vehicle; no guns, just shells. Playground fights leading to arrests and lawsuits. Third graders suspended for bringing a butter knife to school and most recently a four- year- old was accused of sexual harassment by a teachers aid.

A media driven by ratings trumpets every incident as if it's the end of civilization. We must endure experts who can't remember what growing up is like and make suggestions that have no basis for success.

Guns are the only aspect of violence addressed. Instead of punishing criminals and attacking real problems like poverty, gangs, and illiteracy, we act as if eradicating guns will end violence. Timothy McVey didn't use any guns. Neither did Mohamed Atta.

Developing children curious about developing bodies are treated as if they are sex criminals. Abstinence and silence are the prevailing ways of educating kids about sex. The curious have to fend for themselves until adulthood and hope they don't make a mistake that will brand them for life. Then wing it.

I'm not implying impending doom; every generation claims that for the next one. But a little common sense sure would make it easier for kids to grow up, which is hard enough to do in the best of circumstances.