Getting young guys on the straight and narrow

[Al B. Sure!]

Despite my efforts of education, the teenagers I have known have continued to slip into a life of stupidity with imprisonment and/or children from multiple mothers. Take my room-mate's little brother who is on his second child at 19, did earn his GED in prison, talks about going to community college, but continues to sell weed and has this stupid attitude of wanting to pull out a gun on people who hurt his pride. I keep trying to set an example for him but all it takes is the wrong place in the wrong time and he'll be in ****. Some of his friends are already serving lengthy sentences for murder.

Then there's his father's girlfriend's sons. One (19) is currently wanted for murder. I don't know where he went wrong. I hadn't seen him since late 2009 but his recent activities had shocked me because he had never seemed like a trouble-maker. He apparently started dealing and hanging with the wrong people so he and a guy a few years older than him are now wanted for murder. He's screwed but I'm trying to help his 14 year old brother who just got out of juvenile after stealing a car but the stupid school system is taking its time getting his butt back in the classroom after his release. I want to make sure he doesn't wind up like his brother. Like my room-mate's brother, he is quick to anger as well.

I dealt with anger when I was their ages but I never lost sight of the importance of education and living a straight life. What can I do to emphasize that they need to understand the importance of moral living, safe sex, avoiding the wrong people, understanding that violence is never the answer, and education?


Thanks

[Uncle Sparky]

Have them post on this site to see what a good education and high moral standards can do.

[Hauldren Collider]

Have them post on this site to see what a good education and high moral standards can do.

[giblets]

I don't think you can change their intelligence level or their preferences. Are they Christians? Maybe you can convince them they'll go to hell if they murder someone. Maybe they would take you more seriously if you were more successful since all you've done so far is get a college degree and stay out of trouble, without a whole lot to show for it aside from not being someone's ***** inside a prison cell. hey, maybe you can scare them with stories of rape.

[onodera]

The answer is biofuel. Or soylent green.

[Jon Miller]

Al

I am glad that you have a degree and have stayed out of trouble. I admire that you did that. But now is time for the next step.

JM

[onodera]

Also, Al, if you have a straight and narrow one, the girls won't like it. They like them thick and curved. Is that why you want to get guys on it now?

[Lorizael]

What can I do to emphasize that ... violence is never the answer?

Join the marines, of course.

[Imran Siddiqui]

What can I do to emphasize that they need to understand the importance of moral living, safe sex, avoiding the wrong people, understanding that violence is never the answer, and education?

Nothing with any instantaneous results, really. You have to play a "long game". Show them love and kindness and once in a while offer some friendly advice. If you go in guns blazing, they'll know to ignore you.

[Al B. Sure!]

typical that this thread would get mocked. I should have known. No one here has a social worker background.

[Ogie Oglethorpe]

typical that this thread would get mocked. I should have known. No one here has a social worker background.

Imran tried to give you a serious answer. So did Jon Miller.

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

[Thorn]

...safe sex, avoiding the wrong people...

Least you have one of those going for you.

[KrazyHorse]

Start a troubled youths counseling organization called "The Second Mile".

[loinburger]

You kids should be like me - virginal and unemployed. (But educated, dammit!)

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