THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 16, 1994 TAG: 9412150079
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E11 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: TEEN SPEAK
SOURCE: BY ALLISON T. WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 38 lines
THE LACK OF communication between parents and children is having serious consequences in schools today and in children's lives.
Six students participating in this week's Teenspeak at Windsor High School believe stronger relationships between parents and children would reduce problems that have been plaguing schools nationwide in recent years, such as violence, weapons and drug use. It would make the world a better place.
``Adults don't really know what's happening in schools today,'' said senior Gebre Jennings, 17. ``The only thing they have to compare schools with is what they see on television.''
Many parents tend to believe that smaller, rural schools like Windsor High, which has just 500 students, are exempt from many of these problems. But just like at any other school, they do exist, students said.
``Parents need to come home and talk to their children,'' said Carlton Wright, 17, a senior. ``They need to ask how their day went and take time to listen to what they say.''
The six teens said they are close to their parents and would feel comfortable talking about most topics with them. But they believe most teenagers are not close to their parents.
It's ironic that in a world where someone in Suffolk can have a conversation via computer with someone in Denmark, people are still reluctant to communicate with people living in their own house.
Nathan Edwards, 17, a junior, believes strong communication skills are vital to strong relationships between parents and children. ``The more you communicate, the closer you are,'' he said. by CNB