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Letters
Maintaining privacy without mass murder
When did walking into your child's room mean you don't give your child his or her privacy? No matter what age my children will be I will always go into their rooms. Not to snoop into their stuff but to go in and sit on their bed and ask how they are doing.
I will go into their room to give them encouragement if I know they are going to have a big day, to wish them good morning or good night, or even ask if they would like me to get them something while I am at the store. I don't consider this an invasion of privacy that I walked into their room; I consider it being a parent. I will be a parent no matter what age my child is, and just because they reach the age of adulthood doesn't mean I can't be involved in their lives or walk into their room for that matter.
Today too many people think being a parent involves staying out of your children's lives. I think just the opposite is true. Being a good parent is being involved in their kid's lives. At 40 I am still learning things from my parents, why do people think that once their child has turned l8 there is nothing more they can teach them?
How about teaching responsibility? How about teaching caring, for yourself, others and the community? Where were Al Deguzman's parents? If they had taught him that being an adult means more than having privacy in your room then maybe he wouldn't have planned a mass murder.
We need to start teaching our children that they are a part of this world and this community, not an entity that stands alone once they turn l8. Fortunately, for us Kelly Bennett did learn that lesson and as an adult she made the choice to be a part of the community she lives in and become involved. She is a true hero, and so are her parents for teaching her that being an adult is not about privacy but about community.
Cathy Gatley
Cupertino
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Cupertino, California Since 1947
