Originally Posted by xfuego
Well, let's see. No, I don't deal with a lot of 'deviates', or deviants. I have spent a great deal of time with teenagers of all types. And I stand by my assessment. Teens learn responsibility by being made to be responsible. Giving them things, especially something as important, as dangerous and as significant as an automobile, doesn't do that. They have to have a stake in it. The more extravagant the car is that Daddy gives a kid, the bigger the signal that Daddy is going to take care of things and there's less need to act responsibly. Of course, there's always an exception to the rule. But you can't go wrong applying the principal to all. Good kids need to learn, or reinforce, responsibility as well.
The "***** in Church" analogy apparently went over your head, so I'll explain. It's not about who needs GOD, it's about those who's values, opinions, etc... the flagrantly contradict the environment and / or the people they came to be with. A better analogy would be a Black Panther at a Klan rally I suppose.
I still believe it comes down to the kid him/herself. Look at this way a friend of mine is a great kid, parents are excellent yet one child is a J.D. Raised the same way yet one strays from the path. Comes down to the individual as I stated before. And the case I mentioned is not the only one, there are many stories like that.
You're right your analogy was horrible, though I got the point at which you were trying to get to. Just thought I would open your eyes on to where it might be incorrect.
Your new one is much better, but what ever happened to "know thy enemy"?