Teenagers And Crime

When I lived in Melbourne, I had some neighbours who were teenagers. They pranked an Italian food place and said, "Pizza... Pasta... Lasagna... Stupid." I told them that it was OK to joke around once in a while, just not to commit real crimes.

I think it is inevitable that teenagers will misbehave. What is not inevitable is that they do things that are seriously wrong. When I was a teenager, I spent some time at the home of a classmate's parent. The most important thing he taught me was that it was necessary to contribute to the civilization whatever its philosophical state happened to be. I am still applying this lesson.

Teenage years are hard for everyone, and I do not expect that to change. The matter needs to be approached with principle and compassion. Steer the teenagers away from trouble while being sympathetic to their concerns. And see them work through whatever may be troubling them and grow into good people.