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Opening Arguments

Tough love

A Fort Wayne mother drags her son along for her 15 minutes of fame:
An Indiana mom caused a stir on a street corner when she forced her teenage son to stand there wearing a sign that read, "I lie, I steal, I sell drugs, I don't follow the law."

Dynesha Lax said she was tired of dealing with her 14-year-old son breaking the law and getting into trouble. After he had a recent run-in with the police, she came up with an unusual punishment. 

"I decided he broke the law and they only gave him a few hours community service," she said,  "So I decided that we were going to wear a sign that says you looking for attention, we're going to get you attention."

My first reaction was, "Does this kind of stuff even work anymore?" Public humiliation could be effective when it brought on a good bout of shame, but how many people actually  feel shame these days?

My second reaction was surprise that the kid even put up with it. "I lie, I steal, I sell drugs, I don't follow the lie" is not usually another way to say "I love you, Mom, and I'll do whatever you tell me."

Comments

Harl Delos
Thu, 01/12/2012 - 2:03pm

Three cheers for Dynesha Lax!

A human being is just a way for genes to make more genes, so if a parent doesn't do whatever it takes to help his genes thrive, what excuse does he have for living? He might as well do something spectacular and get himself on the Darwin Award lists.

littlejohn
Thu, 01/12/2012 - 3:48pm

My mother used to beat me every day. Then, when I was this kid's age, it occurred to me that I was now bigger and stronger, so I hit her back. Parents should always keep in mind that their kid will eventually be bigger and stronger than they are. This sort of deliberate humiliation will eventually backfire.

Phil Marx
Fri, 01/13/2012 - 3:19am

What's she got to be afraid of, that he'll force her to wear a sign that says "I work two jobs so my son can have a bed to sleep in and food to eat."

I think she did nothing wrong here.

Bob G.
Mon, 01/16/2012 - 2:54pm

It's all part of the burdgeoning sub-culture that's allowed to thrive in normal societies (in the name of "diversity").
Mom does seem concerned, but I'd wager she's the minority of the minority here.

I see much different things when it comes to "parenting".
Mom did all right with that sign gig.

And "sonny-boy" needs to get his head out of his ass...unless he WANTS to have a lifespan that will entail about another TEN years total.

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