First let me say that as long as God is on His throne there is hope. But I couldn't agree with you more.

I've been thinking about this issue and how to deal with kids like this. Our first reaction is the use of force either verbally or physically. But this doesn't always work and can lead to consequences like you mentioned. Nobody wants to take the life of a teenager either, so what do you do?

I have one word, leverage. You take their greatest strength and use it against them. What is their strength? Pride. Hit them there and hit them hard. They think they are cool and smart and they may act like they don't care about anything. But they care immensely about their ego and what others think of them, they want to be seen as cool.

Its been said that contrast is the greatest clarifier. so look for a way to make a contrast. This doesn't have to been done in a confrontational manner. Most of these kids are willing to talk but its all in how you approach them. So you find a way to point out that they are acting like a fool and they are not as cool as they think. You can really have fun with this if you know how to play mental games with people and steer conversations. Or just do a little brain surgery on them and use the Socratic Method. But keep in mind the bigger picture. You won't always be able to fix the problem right then and there. But tweak their thinking so next time for the next guy it won't be so bad. How this is done will have to be experimented with and will be different for each situation. But the goal is the same, weaken their pride mentally.

But more to the cause of this epidemic. Ideas have consequences. We are living with the fruit of a false anthropology. And why is our anthropology off? Because our theology is off. An incorrect view of God always leads to an incorrect view of man, it still is true that theology is the queen of the sciences. There is a lot to say on this issue and it could fill several books. But for the sake of brevity I will give just a few examples of what I mean.

The first problem I see is on the value and meaning of human life. If we say that man came from nothing and returns to nothing. It is only logical to conclude man is nothing. It is intellectually dishonest to say that some how between those two poles man has meaning. This hasn't been lost on our youth, they get it loud and clear and act accordingly, hence their disregard for human life. It has no value. So there is no difference between killing ants and people. I won't get into all the philosophical schools of thought on how some have tried to resolve this dilemma of the value and meaning of human life apart from God. I think they all fail however because if we come from nothing and return to nothing we are nothing, its that simple. But instinctively we know this isn't true. We cry at funerals, we get upset at injustice because injustice always involves someone. We know that humans have value, but from were does that value come?

The other area we get it wrong is on human nature. Who are we at the core of our being? Not the facade we put on so people will like us. But that side that comes out under pressure when the facade cracks. Are we basically good and just need the right environment, education and a little self-esteem to be our best. Or is man corrupt to the core and capable of great evil if not restrained? The spirit of this age tells us the first is true, that we are basically good and we need to let kids express themselves so as not to hinder their maturity. But look what comes out when kids are left to themselves without guidance and discipline, it's not the good but the evil that is in the core of their being. And what is self-esteem but the esteeming of self at the expense of others. So the whole self-esteem movement gave the green light to a whole generation to express their darker side, wonderful. No wonder kids these days act like they do.

And finally it has been said that were there is no God all things are permissible. This ought to be so obvious. If there is no objective morality by which we measure ourselves then everything comes down to personal preference. But what if my preference conflicts with yours? The stronger man wins, might makes right. And that's were we find ourselves today, it's survival of the fittest at it's finest. The Germans were fit and the Jews weren't so bye-bye Jews. And that's why the Germans found it easy to do. God wasn't watching.

So is there hope for the future? No if we don't engage today's youth were the battle is at, in the mind between the truth and the lie. And yes if we do get involved. As for me, the darkness can't have these kids so I'm going after them. Because with God all things are possible and I know God loves these kids more than me. And He will spare no expense to save them.

I total agree they need a good kick in the butt. Kids today do not know how to be respectful. They think everything should be handed to them on a silver platter. They have it too easy and this has given them a false sense of how the world really works. They have no work ethic. The have no morals. They think they deserve things like cars, cell phones, computers, etc. What they do deserve is a kick in butt. Unfortunately their parents deserve something more serve for raising their kids to be this way.

"To educate a man in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society."

Theodore Roosevelt

We have created menaces because we have failed to educate one on morals. The future is bleak.

I'm 19 years old and I feel the same.My generation is more interested in technology,creativity and the environment than any other but we have no moral values.The problem comes from the fact that modern psychology taught parents they should not punish or beat their children,that children must be treated with respect and understanding.I disagree with the good ol'spanking that makes kids feel sick at the sight of garden hoses and belts but punishments should be firmly applied,with no room for discussion.Children must learn to work for what they want.

Also,something that I find so utterly wrong is that the government does everything and anything to keep kids in school.I don't know how it works in other countries but here in Portugal the laws are getting so absurd that and 8th grader who keeps failing school is given the chance to take some exams and move on to the 10th grade,skipping the 9th grade along the way.What's the deal with this?If a teenager doesn't want to stay in school,let them work.They will end up realizing that no education means they will be getting a lousy salary and work in a place where they are basicly slaves.The government must be willing to include them back in the education system when they realise they were better off in school but before that,they need to get a taste of how life really is.If they refuse to find a job they are their parents' problem,but parents nowadays seldom get to the point where they've had enough and leave their children alone with their choices.

We're on the verge of a sexual revolution where women are becoming promiscuous,far more promiscuous than men!All of this started in the young generation of girls that think having sex with strangers is OK.However,we are not yet equiped with the hormonal tools that allow us to have unnattached sex.Women still have a strong chemical reaction to sex.We're wired differently.

We need people to be firm with us and get us motivated.Tolerance,respect,ambition and creativity must be encouraged because we have the tools to give future generations a comfortable life but we don't have the dools we need to create social harmony.

And then there's this 'anime' trash.

I go to the library, and the computers are always surrounded by groups of kids (in their mid to late 20s), just staring at this stuff.

Grow up!

Vladimir Lenin: 'Give me just one generation of youth, and I'll transform the whole world.'

i am a teen but i see your point

i think that they should take away childline and bring back canes at schools.this will "encourage" teens to have respect for their elders

also i think that tv shows and films encourage teens to behave like this.most famous people are famous because they're "bad".

WHICH COUNTRY STARTED THIS WHOLE TEEN THING ANYWAY?

someones must have at least branded them with the word "teenager"