What's worrisome is state of parenting

The news is dominated with topics that greatly concern many people: mass shootings, presidential tweets, Russian influence in our elections, opioid abuse, etc. I feel that time and the work of good people will lead to all of these being dealt with satisfactorily.

What scares me more than any of the above is the intellectual and moral crippling of an increasing percentage of our countries' youth by their parents that is going unnoticed. Three examples:

• A recent letter to this paper from a mother called upon government to make high school students aware of the rule that allows students to vote in a primary as long as they turn 18 on or before the general election. The reason offered: Many students don't pay attention in school when this information is disseminated. What? This parent somehow thinks that a potential voter who does not know about a rule that affects them directly, and chooses to not pay attention in class when that information is shared, is somehow going to make a good choice in the voting booth?

• The April 3 Daily Herald ran a story about a guilty plea from teenager whose mother handed her a knife to kill a 15-year-old girl. Enough said.

• My favorite is the Liberty Mutual commercial that depicts teenage boys unable to change a flat tire, and a mother who, instead of expecting her son to learn this simple task, chooses an insurance policy that provides roadside assistance. The screen we're left with a smug Mom holding her boy who rightfully looks helpless and embarrassed.

No, what I'm afraid of is not what we're commonly hearing about. I'm afraid of the long-term effects on our society from these people masquerading as parents.

Keith Gray

Mettawa