A few weeks ago I posted a thread (which didn't get alot of responses BTW) in which I related that our biggest local mall, Crossgates, in Albany, NY, was starting a strict new curfew policy in which people age 18 and under would be banned from the mall on weekends without an adult. I thought at the time that this was, in addition to being a dangerous infreingment on young people's rights (they can't vote , so who cares a frig about what they may have to say?) an insult of the highest proportions. Like, I can drive a car and in another year, I can vote. And I'm a freshman in college too. But I can't go to the mall on the weekend alone? Who the do people think they are, passing judgements on who is mature enough to handle a shopping trip, and who isn't? If they've been having problems with teens in malls (but thisis the weird part--I live across the st from this mall and pass thorugh it in and out alot on the way home to and from work, etc) there have been no major incidents with kids lately. The biggest incident, in fact, came 2 yrs ago when a man was arrested for wearing a (supposed) anti-war in Iraq shirt which he had BOUGHT IN THE MALL. You might recall this made national headlines. Funny, they didn;t mind selling it and making money, or displaying itin a shop windowm but wearing it was different. Likewise, teens aren;t banned from driving, b/c they do to other businesses and resturaunts....
I knew they were serious aobut the law, but today, I went into the mall and there, at every entrance, they actually have 2 uniformed security guards standing behind tables scurtinizing each and every person who walks into this mall. They mean business. (I noticed the crowds were much thinner too.)
I hope the mall loses alot of money b/c of this absurd law. Teens shopping alone bring in a lot of money. What if you work n the mall? And don't waer a uniform? I wonder if employees have special rules.
If thisismeant to warn parents aobut the dangersof leaving teens alone, WTF? Exploring your world, free and independant of adults, is a vital part of forming character. It;s raining outside right now. Where can these teens go? Sit and pig out in a rsturaunt. Vegetate on the Net. Or shop in strip mall. If the movies out this week all suck,, what then? Parents should be strict, but teens are not 10 yr olds. They are mature, responsiible people, for the most part. I certainly was! It;s bad enough we keep out younger kids in virtual house imprisonment. Must teen now be taught to live in fear as well?
I knew they were serious aobut the law, but today, I went into the mall and there, at every entrance, they actually have 2 uniformed security guards standing behind tables scurtinizing each and every person who walks into this mall. They mean business. (I noticed the crowds were much thinner too.)
I hope the mall loses alot of money b/c of this absurd law. Teens shopping alone bring in a lot of money. What if you work n the mall? And don't waer a uniform? I wonder if employees have special rules.
If thisismeant to warn parents aobut the dangersof leaving teens alone, WTF? Exploring your world, free and independant of adults, is a vital part of forming character. It;s raining outside right now. Where can these teens go? Sit and pig out in a rsturaunt. Vegetate on the Net. Or shop in strip mall. If the movies out this week all suck,, what then? Parents should be strict, but teens are not 10 yr olds. They are mature, responsiible people, for the most part. I certainly was! It;s bad enough we keep out younger kids in virtual house imprisonment. Must teen now be taught to live in fear as well?