Parents can, must act

To the editor:



The letter from Ms. Joudrey (Kings County Register, October 19, 2006) has a glaring negative in the penultimate paragraph: "Seriously, though... when we, as parents, don't have the authority to teach our children...".

Absolutely incorrect.

Today's parents must accept the fact they have a duty, never mind authority, to instill into the minds of our children for every wrong committed, there is a reckoning. I can't tell my neighbour how to rear their offspring. It should be common knowledge to every educated parent, unless they themselves educate their children - not just once but on an ongoing basis - then the road to ruin is under their feet. Parents should bring to the attention of their children printed articles of criminal activities perpetrated by the peers of their children and emphasize the consequences. Unfortunately, the days of applied discipline are now over and that makes it more incumbent on parents to teach by word of mouth.

I believe every parent should try to obtain a copy of the documentary video, "Scared Straight.� It may help.

Respectfully submitted,



Eric Coombes,

New Minas