Some weeks ago now the controversial death of Freddie Gray led the city of Baltimore Maryland to be under a curfew watch.
The mayor of Baltimore, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake eventually lifted the 10 p.m. curfew which had been enforced to help curb the impending violence in the city. Many involved in what some would call an act of civil disobedience were young people.
There has been much debate about whether the curfew was an effective tool. I believe in this instance that it was. Being on the streets of Baltimore at night was not a good idea, so instituting the curfew was in the city’s rational self-interest. Some took exception to the curfew such as Tracey Hines, an employee at Camden Yards, the home of the Baltimore Orioles. She wore a T-shirt that simply said, “No More Curfew.”
If you are of my generation, we didn’t have curfews per say. Our curfew was when the street lights came on as that was our signal to go home! All activities and talking ended at that time. Our parents didn’t have to come out of the house to make any curfew announcement. If you wanted to be with your friends on tomorrow then you better get inside tonight.
Maybe one of the lessons learned in Baltimore and other cities related to curfews is to create a series of parent councils. These parent councils could implement better practices for their youngsters.
I believe there are two ships, the parent ship and the friend ship. If you want to set some guidelines and lofty goals for your children then welcome aboard the parent ship. However if you want to give your child un-monitored freedom then you will sink on the friend ship. For example, buying your child the latest pair of tennis shoes thinking that will appease them will lead you down the wrong path.
Summer is here and fun begins. Some parents will be at a crossroads. Which ship will they be on over the summer, the parent ship or the friend ship?
