WE WE WE have failed them all! Boys and girls, children and teens. When 70% of our tax dollars go to the military, when no priority on ANY healthcare-mental or physical, when we elect a psychopath as our president, we have defined who we are.
As another mother who raised two teens, one boy included, and previously an educator of high school students, including tutoring of some challenging boys, I can only agree with you 100%. The mixed messages sent to our sons when they’re at their most vulnerable breaks my heart. When a 14-year-old child feels his only option is to take others lives, I promise you he’s been hurting and confused for a long time. We have to take responsibility as adults and stand for all of our children - stand against cowards who think it’s somehow manly to scapegoat. They do it with minorities, women, the LGBTQ+ community and anyone else they can blame, so I guess it’s not surprising that they do it with teen boys who are clearly at a loss of how to navigate life’s pain and difficulties.
I cannot imagine the suffering of the families who lost loved ones in this horrendous event. Nor can I imagine the life lost of this 14-year-old boy who will live with this crime and may still not be heard by those who should be helping him. My heart just hurts for all of them. There are no wins and without change, we’re doomed to repeat this tragedy.
Beth, yes I agree with this whole thing. Everyone loses in this game, and you make such a good point about how deep the boy’s hurt and confusion must have been to have pushed him to this point. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your compassion.
Powerful, Leslie. The scapegoat analogy is apt! I'm curious if you've read Cloud Cuckoo Land...I recently finished it, and your essay reminds me a lot of Doerr's treatment of the teenage character of Seymour in the book. Thank you for your insight!
WE WE WE have failed them all! Boys and girls, children and teens. When 70% of our tax dollars go to the military, when no priority on ANY healthcare-mental or physical, when we elect a psychopath as our president, we have defined who we are.
I feel your pain here. Kids are suffering and it feels like an overwhelming problem.
As another mother who raised two teens, one boy included, and previously an educator of high school students, including tutoring of some challenging boys, I can only agree with you 100%. The mixed messages sent to our sons when they’re at their most vulnerable breaks my heart. When a 14-year-old child feels his only option is to take others lives, I promise you he’s been hurting and confused for a long time. We have to take responsibility as adults and stand for all of our children - stand against cowards who think it’s somehow manly to scapegoat. They do it with minorities, women, the LGBTQ+ community and anyone else they can blame, so I guess it’s not surprising that they do it with teen boys who are clearly at a loss of how to navigate life’s pain and difficulties.
I cannot imagine the suffering of the families who lost loved ones in this horrendous event. Nor can I imagine the life lost of this 14-year-old boy who will live with this crime and may still not be heard by those who should be helping him. My heart just hurts for all of them. There are no wins and without change, we’re doomed to repeat this tragedy.
Beth, yes I agree with this whole thing. Everyone loses in this game, and you make such a good point about how deep the boy’s hurt and confusion must have been to have pushed him to this point. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your compassion.
Powerful, Leslie. The scapegoat analogy is apt! I'm curious if you've read Cloud Cuckoo Land...I recently finished it, and your essay reminds me a lot of Doerr's treatment of the teenage character of Seymour in the book. Thank you for your insight!
No I haven’t! I’ve been curious about it though. I’ll remember that. And thanks for the kind words.
Harrowing and true.
Harrowing is a good descriptor for sure. 😭
THIS!!!!!!!
Thanks for reading and sharing, dear. 🫶🏼