Society took away discipline... what do they expect? The results speak for themselves.

I think also about 2 generations ago there was a pretty fundamental shift in our culture, right along the time when government handouts became so popular and available. There is now a subculture of people who think they don't have to work or conform to societal norms (remember those) and that society is there just to coddle them. So now there are goodly numbers of upcoming youth who have never had a good example set for them by parents or maybe even their 35 year old grandparents. The people who say the kids who actually have good ideas for after school activities are right...those are the kids who already know what NOT to do. And it's not just because of latchkey situations. I was a latchkey kid, too, all those years ago,and I still managed to graduate in the top 4% of my class and go on to earn my MBA, so leaving me alone was not some horrible, negligent parenting failure.

The 3rd one was "etc..."...lol. There are several things important...financing would also be a big one. When just became a teenager I spent a lot of time with my grandma, antiques, rummage sales, learned a lot about spending wisely, selling, making a profit....etc. Something I think a lot of people today have no clue of. It was also fun because I was making cash.

All right, commenters.

I looked at the Boys and Girls Club website, to see what they offered after school vs teen club. I also wanted to see the types of activities they have, after reading some of the comments about how the kids won't be doing much.

Read this page: http://www.bgcjanesville.org/page122616....

I think it's interesting they have "Three Areas of Impact", much like Sigma40 mentioned. Sigma, I'm still waiting for your third point. :)

ha.. ya the whole education system is jacked. You'd think that we could pick 3 big things that we can noticably see in todays youth that need help and attack it.
1. health - Obesity is a problem.
2. common sense stuff - everyone drives, everyone should know how to do basic maintenance on a car.
...etc.. If they crated something to do that had INCENTIVE you could get people go, keep the kids out of trouble, and work on the problems of society all at the same time. Possible? I'd think so.

The irony is that the kids that would go to a dance hall, or boys and girls club, ymca, etc...are all kids that probably do ok in school and for the most part arent problem kids...even the ones that are "latchkey kids". You can approach it several ways...go the triage approach and offer programs targeted towards kids who are unsupervised (from 3-6) and watch a low turnout resulting in the program ending 6 months from now. You can step up the parents resposnibility...make them liable for childrens behavior....but that wouldnt be "fair" to lower income or single parent housholds. You could cut the time down by either extending school days or offering real afterschool programs (fitness class, autoshop, study skills, etc...) however...teachers cringe at the idea of working more than an 8 hour day...unlike the other 95%of american workers. Or we can do what we have always done...just turn a blind eye to those supposed 3 hours of mischief and hope for the best.

FYI - The madison teen center has hard core heavy metal bands play regularly. It is always packed. I have friends that play there. But I dont think that kind of music is allowed in Janesville. Maybe we should get a shakespear play or mary poppins film for our teens to watch on a saturday night.. THAT WOULD BE SPLENDID!

I can remember my teen years like yesterday. 3pm-6pm was never an issue, what we did after than was. Actual "teen centers" were not even remotely cool, no one wants to be treated like animals all herded together and have adults hanging over you. Its bad enough Janesville has a curfew now. Its pretty simple logic, if you treat people like animals they act like them. Society's paranoia has lead to distrust....that leads to no cooperation, If you want to keep them "safe" why not lock them in cages? Sounds about as fun as what is proposed. The stupidity of all this proposed is that everyone is throwing out solutions to something they havnt even figured out the problem yet. You have 1950 propositions in 2012... Durrrr. We wonder why society is messed up?

JimPI, nicksmom and luvujvl make excellent points, though vastly different from each other.

As nicksmom and luvujvl said, much comes down to parenting and how these "at risk" kids were raised. The old expression about a good foundation rings true in many respects...but not all.

Many (many unfortunately) years ago, I was what then was called a "latch-key kid". My parents were divorced; I came home to an empty house after school until my custodial parent got home from work. I was labeled. I was the likely "problem" kid BECAUSE of the above noted factors of my life. Guess what; all the nay-sayers and authority figures holding their breath just waiting for me to screw up were disappointed. Never was suspended from school, ran a solid B average in my classes, never arrested or in any trouble with the police. I could go on. And no, my parent wasn't always around modeling exemplary behavior for me.

I did things I shouldn't have...lied on occasion to get to do what I thought I wanted to do, skipped school a few times, etc. The primary difference was that no one was standing around force-feeding me the "good behavior" speech. I kind of figured out on my own what sort of person I was and wanted to be.

I agree with JimPI, I think the kids should be asked what they would like or enjoy...and I think it should be done in an open, relaxed way that speaks to them, not the adult there-are-rules-to-follow way that so often is how these sorts of issues are approached. Ever heard the expression about doing something just because you're told you can't? Pretty much sums up the teen lifestyle. For every adult harping about what isn't acceptable and what the rules are, there is a teen nodding in agreement until the adult back is turned.

life_is_short: What school are you referring to? Edison Middle School currently has cross-country, softball, AND golf practice after school every day. And Cross country has 4th and 5th grade runners along with middle schoolers. Edison also has dances twice a month. There are lots of things for kids to do if you just look for them.

Ideas on how to keep middle school students occupied in a safe way? How about some chores around the house and time to do their homework between 3 and 6? Maybe teaching them some responsibility, and parenting them between the ages of 0 and 12 to have a trustworthy child at 12 who will be at home between the hours of 3 and 6, doing what they are supposed to do ?? Just a thought....

So many people seem to think that if kids don't want to attend these programs they won't. Frankly that part comes down to parenting. Granted my son is much younger than those targeted in this article but when I go to school to pick him up from aftercare he's having so much fun I think I could leave him there all night & he wouldn't mind. To me it comes down to parenting & finding activities that the kids enjoy.

mteg, I shudder to think of the backlash from the teachers union on your idea.

I have the same question as localyocal. If the "high risk" time for teens is 3pm-6pm, why have the special "teen-centric" activities start after that time frame? Just doesn't make a lot of sense to me. I think the club would have been better served in this post if they had mentioned what activities were available to teens from 3pm-6pm.

I think the problem with any of these after school programs is funding. Volunteers can't carry all the weight. Buildings cost money in rent and utilities. Programs cost money in supplies and manpower. It often seems as though those who want to help the most are the least able to do so financially and those who are in a position to help the most with funds are the least inclined to do so.

I'd agree with the suggestion of asking teens what they want for after school programs. However, in my experience, the ones who respond most positively with feedback of that sort are usually the teens who are in the least need of the programs. Quite often, the teens who are most likely to engage in substance abuse and other negative behaviors are the least likely to participate in after school programs, no matter what they are.

Why not just poll the kids and ask them what they want to do? The things we did as kids are probably considered lame. They'd probably be happy if you oppened a big room with computers so they can play world of warcraft and facebook the person next to them.

vnvet7071 - People roller skated. I guess standing around doing no physical activity would support the obesity epidemic and keep the 16 and pregnant and sporting muffin tops trend alive.

Points taken.

Now, for those who don't think this program is something teens will attend, what are your solutions to keeping middle school students occupied in a safe way?

Beth

Is this actually an advertisement for the Boys & Girls Club? Yes. The header reads IT TAKES A COUNTY, views from rock county's non-profit agencies.

Is this actually an advertisement for the Boys & Girls Club? I have to ask, since the beginning of this post indicates the following:

"It is between the hours of 3p.m. and 6p.m. on weekdays that the majority of episodes of high-risk behavior occur, including sexual activity, substance abuse, and criminal actions."

The suggested 'alternative' is a new teen only club time from 6p to 7p. Unless I miss my guess, that time slot falls outside of the claimed "high-risk" time for troublemaking, so this must be just a convenient way to drum up Boys & Girls Club business.

Heres a thought that can kill 2 birds with one stone. Extend the school day by 1 hour. That way kids are only out 2 hours instead of 3 for this supposed highrisk time period...and kids could have a longer lunch period since 15-30min isnt long enough for them to eat.

Sigma,what went on at the skating place? Hmmm,activities,themes,food, and fun.Your right, it does sound like an old folks party. DUH !

There ARE no after school sports available to the middle school children until 8th grade.

The city should buy the pontiac convention center and turn it back into the skatin place.
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Activities, themes, food, and fun? Sounds like an old folks party...boring.