For years our schools have been teaching our children to read, to write, and other subjects to provide them with the necessary knowledge to successfully graduate from High School.
However, crucial subjects which are part of every citizen's life, have been left aside not considering the fact that without these "subjects" our kids are growing in complete ignorance of the laws that rule our society. Rules that will affect them soon or later, in one way or another.
We teach our kids what is right and wrong, the same way our parents did to us 20 years ago! The truth is that, ever since, the laws have become more and more complex and they have extended to touch the limit of juveniles too.
What was seen years ago as "typical doings of kids", or innocent misbehavior that could have been resolved with "time out", it is not that simple anymore. For example: Do your kids know that playing or simply removing a fire extinguisher from its location is a felony punished with imprisonment?:
" (c) It is grand theft of the third degree and a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 [1], s. 775.083 [2], or s. 775.084 [3], if the property stolen is: Any fire extinguisher (the 8Th on the list) http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/"
Or that skateboarding in certain locations could be considered trespassing?
810.097 f.s. [4]Abstract: (2) Any person who enters or remains upon the campus or other facility of a school after the principal of such school, or his or her designee, has directed such person to leave such campus or facility or not to enter upon the campus or facility, commits a trespass upon the grounds of a school facility and is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. (5) As used in this section, the term "school" means the grounds or any facility of any kindergarten, elementary...
Some parents have found out about this in a rough way when their kids are already in the back of a patrol sobbing because "They didn't know."
Hard to believe that these subjects, crucial for our kids future, have been left aside from the traditional school programs. Or that parents have overlooked these subjects giving priority to the college fund. Did you know that some colleges and universities will look into the criminal history of the prospect students? And later on the employers will do too?
No one is free of making mistakes. But these kind of mistakes can be prevented by providing our kids with the necessary information of what's right and what's wrong TODAY!
Starts by giving them the real skills for life! By sharing with them the news when there's a crime committed by a kid like them. Tell them what will happen to that kid after the crime. Not knowing what happens around them is like letting them walk blind folded at the edge of a cliff.
The first step is to get familiar with the laws which can affect our kids due to unawareness. Follow this link: http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/ and explain to your kids why, what they are doing, is against the law and what the consequences would be if they ignore the warnings.
The best way to protect them is to make them aware of the laws that rule our society today. As parents is our responsibility to make their path in life as safe as possible. Life skills and laws should be a part of their education, after all, they will have to survive on their own someday, and you might not be there to rescue them from trouble anymore.
Some states are already doing something about this problem, they have realized that kids are the future and they need to be informed so they won't make ignorant mistakes that could ruin their promising future for ever. (http://www.calbar.ca.gov).