There are countless topics that can be debated between adults and teens. Adults will always stereotype teens and teens will always stereotype adults. It is in our nature, but sometimes this can lead to a conflict that may be good or bad.
Recently, chaos has filled the streets of the Plaza. Earlier this year a flash mob and a shooting made the news. Throughout the summer, the mayor of Kansas City, Sly James, had been debating the idea of a Plaza curfew for teenagers.
Until Mayor James was involved in the shooting, he planned to veto the idea for the curfew. But after the incident he decided to go through with the curfew.
The curfew, which is in effect at the Plaza, Power and Light District, Westport and Zona Rosa, is 9 p.m. and it bans anyone under 16 years old from hanging out after 9 p.m. at any of those places without a parent around.
“It might help business,” sophomore Morgan Brooks said. “But I don’t think they should deprive kids of their fun so adults can have theirs.”
Students at Blue Valley West may not normally hang out at places such as the Plaza or Zona Rosa, but we are all teenagers and it is likely that students we know enjoy spending time there.
“It’s a good idea.” student resource officer Susie Tousey said. “If you’re 16 and under you shouldn’t be down there at that time.”
There seems to be a deeper problem other than just the creation of a curfew. The flash mobs and the shooting only involved a small group of teenagers.
This problem doesn’t only occur in the outside world. It also happens inside of BV West. There are countless rules, and it seems that they add more every year. If one person does something wrong it seems that they feel as though they must make a rule that prevents all of us from possibly doing what one person did.
An example of this is our structured JAG time. A majority of the student body used their JAG time productively but a few students didn’t and so the administration changed how JAG worked.
All of these rules make it seem like all adults believe that teenagers are all the same.
“We have the rules to govern the whole because there has to be a parameter set.” Tousey said.
There are also lots of rules in Blue Valley West relating to technology, such as no cell phones or iPods during class and restrictions on the computer. Also, each teacher has his or her own rules pertaining to these things. Faculty thinks the technology is either helpful or hurtful.
“I think its helpful from the sense of education.” school resource officer Neal said. “A lot of schools are using technology to assist with learning. Last year there was a bad tornado and we went on lock down. Students had cell phones and contacted family to let them know they were okay. It’s a bad thing when they are using their cell phones to cheat or prevent themselves from learning.”
Many schools use technology such as electronic readers or iPods for textbooks, which can make a lighter load for the backpacks of students.
“You can not learn what they are trying to teach when you are texting.” Tousey said.
Adults and teens will always have conflict. Although it may never be resolved, it is still worth a shot. So, while some rules may need some tweaking or a compromise it is important that we follow the other rules as well.