essay5

Chyshena Coleman

November 20, 2002

English 101

Essay 5

            In the short article “ It’s 4:00 P.M. Do You Know Where Your Children Are?” by Jonathan Alter.  Alter states that children who are unsupervised are the ones who are getting into the most trouble. Alter states this because parents are not taking the time to find babysitters or some type of after school activity to place their children in, until they are off from work.  Parent whom work long hours should place there children in some type of supervise activity to keep close watch on their children.

Parent who let there children roam the street for hours tend to not know where their at or what they are doing.  Children in this case tend to have more freedom to steal, do drug, or have sex.  Parents need to face the fact that children, who are under 18, should have something to take their attention off of street life.  Because children tend to deal with more peer pressure than most children with something worthwhile doing.

According to Alter, “children commit more crime between the hours of 2 and 8p.m.”  This is because parents are more focus on being at work and less likely to believe there child would do something out of hand.  Parents sometimes feel that there child is responsible and can stay inside or by a friend house and watch TV. Until they come home.  And in most case children under 18, take advantage of the situation.  By braking rules, doing things they would every do while their parent is home.

Parents jobs are important today but a child’s well being is more important.  Parents need to focus on their children more than there jobs because jobs come and go.  And if anything was to happen to that child that child could never be replaced.  Many students fail to realize that they have done something way out of hand until they are in trouble or if someone is hurt.  Most children plan to have fun until that fun turns into a tragedy.

            Parents who work ought to sit down with there children and find out what is best for them doing there after school hours.  Whether they want a baby-sitter or are in some type of after school activity.  They also should lay down rules and the number one rule should be “ not hang in the street with friends” until they are home to supervise them. Parents should also let their children know there are some crazy people in today’s world and sometimes yours friend are not truly your friend and would try to hurt them in some way.