THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 17, 1995 TAG: 9501170047
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E3 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: LIFE IN THE PASSING LANE
SOURCE: BY VANEE VINES, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines
IN THE SCOTTS' household, ``family values'' never went out of style.
In their home, parental authority is unquestioned. The most important R is respect. And while today's social and economic conditions wrench many families apart, the Scotts - Robert Jr., Judy, Robbie and Brian - are bonded together.
Robert, a state transportation engineer, and Judy, a Suffolk elementary school teacher, aren't the Cleavers or the Cosbys, but they cling to the principles and child-rearing approaches of their own parents.
They eat dinner together. Neither parent tolerates back talk or outright disregard of house policy. Expectations are high. One quickly gets the sense that even if the Scotts had seven children - as Judy's parents did - there still would be order.
``The rule in this house is, if you're living here . . . you have to do what we say do,'' said Judy Scott, an outgoing woman.
She was quick to point out a key to her family's stability: Faith in God, she said, is ``the glue that holds us together.''
Robbie says his parents are strict at times. But, as far as parents go, ``they're OK,'' he said.
Robbie gives his 12-year-old brother a lot to look up to. Last week, he was again honored by Nansemond River High at a banquet for academic achievers. By any parent's measure, he's a decent kid. He earns high grades, he's college-bound and he's considerate.
Youngsters don't turn out that way by chance, the Scotts said. They need parents to lead them.
Before Robbie was old enough to attend school, his mother and father began a simple practice that can go a long way in helping children succeed in school - they took turns reading to him each night.
Television was off-limits until homework was done. Judy Scott - whose father was a minister and whose brother is the minister of Suffolk's Oak Grove Baptist, where the family worships - also made clear that Robbie had to be involved in church.
He was an usher for about five years. That ended about a year and a half ago, when a growth spurt made him feel awkward among smaller boys.
Before that, Robbie had always been on the short side. Asthma kept him from playing most sports. ``He realized that sports wouldn't be his niche in life,'' Robert Scott said, ``so when he competed, he competed academically.''
Before Brian was old enough to be considered company, Robbie's father was his playmate. There weren't any other kids in their old neighborhood on Suffolk's east side, and the pair spent countless hours playing board games. Chinese checkers was a favorite.
``Once I showed him how to play, I wouldn't let him win after that,'' Robert Scott said. Would Robbie give up in frustration? His father let out a huge laugh. ``Give up? Robbie could play all night!''
The Scotts never believed in rearing spoiled brats.
They bought Robbie a used car last year, but it wasn't because they thought a high school senior couldn't live without his own wheels. Robbie stayed out of trouble and earned exceptional grades - ``He deserved it,'' his mother said.
On the other hand, if he starts to cut up and allows his grades to drop, ``the keys are ours.''
In a time when wayward, gun-toting teens make national headlines, the Scotts are duplicating what worked in the homes of their youth.
``We were just happy. We laughed a lot. We protected each other. We loved each other then. We love each other now,'' Judy Scott said, describing her childhood and siblings. ``We were basically worry-free, except when it came to school work. Our family had a lot of love.''
Robert Scott, whose father died last month, still appreciates the environment his parents created for him and his sister as they grew up. ``We always felt safe,'' he said.
They don't expect their kids to be angels, but they expect them to work hard and toe the line between right and wrong. Moreover, they want to prepare them for anything the real world might throw their way.
``We just want to make him (Robbie) the best possible person he can become, and someone who can be really pleased with himself,'' Judy Scott said. ILLUSTRATION: LAWRENCE JACKSON/Staff
Robbie Scott's academic achievements at Nansemond River High reflect
his family's emphasis on hard work.
KEYWORDS: FAMILY VALUES by CNB