1997-1998 Harry Singer Foundation National Essay Contest

Responsibility: Who Has It, Who Doesn't, And What That Means To The Nation 

Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

  1st   Elizabeth Haire  2nd Matt Hinkle         3rd Joshua Patrick Higgins      3rd Melissa Wilhelmi

Blame
"Baseball used to be America's biggest pastime. But now the crack of the bat has been replaced with the crack of the judge's gavel, and the roar of the crowds with the roar of the defendant and prosecutor trying to drown each other out with their whining. 'He looked at me funny!' 'It wasn't MY fault!' 'I have a syndrome or a complex. I can't be blamed.' All these things are yelled back and forth across the courtroom and, like baseball, it can be entertaining. Entertaining, that is, as long as it isn't happening to you.

People laugh about the individual who was sued by his neighbor over a tree branch. The tree was in John Doe's yard and Joe Smith didn't like the fact that one of the branches as in his yard. So, instead of telling John, Joe decided to cut off the branch. While he was cutting, the branch broke and fell onto Joe's house. Since the tree was on John's property, Joe sued John for $10,000 for repairs and the emotional trauma of seeing his house being hammered with a tree branch. Somehow, the jury agreed with Joe and he got paid for cutting a branch off his neighbor's tree (without permission) and damaging his own house. Pretty funny, huh? Tell that to John.

Unfortunately, this type of incident is not uncommon. Everyone seems to want to play the blame game and, much of the time, the stakes are high. This is especially true in cases involving human deaths. One tragic example of this involves a woman named Renee Polreis who killed her two-and-one-half-year-old son and continues to deny that it was her fault. No, she claims it was "reactive attachment disorder" that caused David to die. She said that the Russian orphanage that he had been adopted from had been very harsh. This caused David to throw violent temper tantrums and he beat himself to death. It wasn't her fault. She can't just take responsibility for her own actions; that would be too much to handle. And like many others, Polreis blames a disorder for her son's death.

Nowadays, people can find all kinds of disorders, syndromes, and complexes to use in avoiding the blame. A person can't be held accountable for losing the grocery money at the casino because they have an addiction. 'People can't blame themselves for having cancer,' writes Ron French. 'Now, sins are illnesses.' A mass murderer can blame parental neglect for his killing [of] innocent people. Everyone's a victim and nobody can be blamed for anything they do.

Marion Barry, former Mayor of Washington, was caught on camera using cocaine. He said he was a victim of racism. A teenage girl used a fake ID to buy alcohol for her teenage boyfriend and he was killed in a car crash soon afterward. Instead of apologizing for her actions, she said that she didn't make her boyfriend drink the beer and it was his fault that he died. The owner of the liquor store agreed, saying that the fault lies with the person who drank the alcohol. Instead of sharing the responsibility, they try to put blame on one person -the dead guy, naturally.

Also, if something bad happens to someone, there immediately must be another person to blame. Sinedu Tadessa, while at Harvard University, stabbed and killed her roommate, Trang Phuong Ho, and then hanged herself. Ho's parents are now suing Harvard for not noticing Tadessa's homicidal tendencies. All that [says] is that it was Harvard's fault, not Tadessa's. They were telling the murderer of their daughter that she was not to blame. And that is completely wrong. People need to take responsibility for themselves.

We need to stop making excuses and face the facts. Don't rationalize cheating by saying you really needed that grade or justify beating someone up by telling others that 'he started it.' If more people agree to take the blame for something they did, America would be a little less screwed up. Of course, the newspapers would be more boring. There wouldn't be any stupid people trying to use lame excuses to weasel their way out of their punishment.

'Ummm…yeah, I helped make a bomb, but I didn't think anybody would get hurt.'
'Yes, I was robbing someone's house, but he shot me, so I should get paid for such trauma.'
'I didn't think that using a lawnmower to trim hedges was dangerous. They didn't have any warnings about that on the label. We should sue.'

If people should start taking responsibility for themselves, no idiotic laws would have to be made to protect good people on the wrong side of a bad lawsuit (the Good Samaritan law), and people wouldn't have to live in fear of having a lawsuit smacked on them for something they didn't even know they did (see Joe and the Evil Tree Branch above). Common sense is what people need to use. If they would do that, accept consequences for what they've done, and not scream LAWSUIT every time a person bumps into you or makes a bad pass at you, everyone would be much happier. Except, of course, those boneheads who think they can make someone else take the blame and have to pay them money. They'd just get booted out of court. What a shame."
Ellan Troughton, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

Child Abuse
"Mary Smith* lives with her mom and her three-year-old brother in a Chicago apartment. She has sufficient food and clothing and is enrolled in a good kindergarten program; the typical life of a typical five-year-old…until one night when her brother wouldn't stop crying. Mary watches as her mother grows more agitated with each passing minute. Finally, Mary's mother is fed up. She grabs a sock and stuffs it in the boy's mouth, securing it with tape. She wraps a cord around his neck and strings the end over the door. In the last moments of his life, her little brother waves goodbye to Mary, who is watching from the doorway…In 1996, 960,000 cases of child abuse flooded relief agencies, sixty percent of them involving parents with drug problems. This means that nearly one million experienced either what Mary's brother had as a victim, or like Mary, witnessed a traumatic event that would certainly affect them for the rest of their lives. Nearly one-half of the children who die from physical abuse each year have been reported to agencies, some of them more than once. What does this say about the responsibility of these agencies?

Who is responsible for the deaths of these children? Is it the procrastination of the agencies? Is it the fact that the number of cases reported restricts the agency's ability to investigate thoroughly? Is it the mental state of the parents? There are two sides to every story. The goal of almost every relief agency is to keep families together; however, that is far from rational in some cases. Mary's mom had been a ward of the state since she was eight years old and has been a resident at Elgin Mental Health Center when Mary's little brother was born. While pregnant, she repeatedly did things to herself to cause harm to her baby. Yet, Mary's mom was granted custody of both children with a simple, "Good luck, Mom" from the judge. The effort to keep Mary's family together was a lost cause. The history of her mother's mental health should have indicated to officials that she was not likely to have a 'turn-around' and be a responsible and loving mother anytime soon. This was definitely a case in which the children should have been removed immediately. Yet, due to lack of responsibility from both the mother and the courts, the situation ended in the death of a child.

Rachel Jones* was reported to a child protection agency for the alleged abuse of her two-year-old daughter. The agency placed Rachel in a program designed to help her get back on track. A counselor from the agency spent hours with her over a period of several months and reported that Rachel was making significant progress. What a shock it was when Rachel and her boyfriend scalded and beat Rachel's daughter to death after the toddler wet her bed. In addition, the autopsy report showed cuts and bruises on the child that indicated that she had been abused while her mother was working with the agency. Where is the blame laid in this case? On Rachel? On the agency's counselor?

How should the decision be made to either remove a child immediately or work with the family? Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala states: 'The goal is to shrewdly pick cases in which the right efforts might help keep a family together.' Some indications could include the mental stability of the parents, any felonies committed by the parents, or signs of abuse to the children. Responsibility for good judgement plays a key role in making this decision.

When the decision is made to remove a child from his parent(s), it is important to be sure that the removal is the best thing to do in the situation. Many children have been taken away from families in which the worst crime was poverty and where abuse didn't even play a part. The workers of the agencies must have the ability and the good sense to separate [children from their parents] only where needed. The decision to work with the family should be promoted by positive factors found within the family. Although parents should be responsible enough to keep their children separate from their own problems, families in which the parents are under stress because of marital or work-related problems are one example of a case that would likely be helped by some type of counseling. Since all kids need a positive role model, the stability of the parents is probably the most important thing in the healthy development of the child. Counseling can provide this stability. The family can move away from the abuse and toward spending time together. The family can get involved in a church or participate in a YWCS program. This responsible behavior by parents will reflect on the children and influence their behavior in the future as parents.

A recent reform has taken place in the child welfare agencies of Cook County, along with the adoption of a bigger budget. This has also brought about an improved efficiency, including solutions to problems that have plagued the agencies in the past. The shortage of foster parents has been ameliorated by the decision of the agencies to pay individuals to stay home and care for children. What will our country be like in the future if these children and their families are not helped? Studies have shown that abused children were more likely to be child abusers as adults than non-abused children were. Do we want America to be a land of low morals, deteriorating family life, and victimized children? That is why we must work together. Parents must take responsibility for their children and for themselves. Welfare agencies must take responsibility to treat cases with the proper action. We, as citizens, must also help. By treating children with love and care, teaching them proper morals, and training them to take responsibility for their actions, we can assure the well-being of America long in the future."
* (Names have been changed.)
Elizabeth Haire, Joliet Township Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

Consequences
"Many children do not understand consequences. A Vancouver woman wrote a letter to a newspaper telling the story of a thirteen-year-old girl who trespassed, forced entry, and stole to obtain explosives. After the girl obtained them, she accidentally blew her hand off. The courts didn't hold the girl responsible; it was the police who were held responsible because they left the explosives there."
Matt Hinkle, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

Depressing
"America has become a nation that likes to focus on the bad and not the good in a sick sense, almost forcing these kids to make the wrong decision. Kids sometimes have to practically raise themselves."
Jennifer Almanza, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

Education
"The degeneration of our society is related to education. There are no street corner thugs with college education. The dedicated [students] with the determination to succeed and the desire to make our world a better place in which to live, work hard throughout high school and beyond."
Chris Farkas, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

Irresponsible Acts
"Late one night in Boston, Keith Barry and two other friends beat up two Hispanic women and threw bottles into an Hispanic family's home. His family along with the families of his friends were evicted from public housing; the Boston Housing Authority is invoking a 'one-strike-and-you're-out' policy to get rid of racism and drugs in housing projects. Keith's parents brought this on themselves by not keeping closer track of their son.

Another example is Kate McNichols. She has admitted that she often forgets to set her alarm clock. Each time, her mom calls in to the school so she can go to class instead of being sent to a study hall for coming to school late. Although this may seem like no big deal, Kate has become less and less worried about getting up on time because she knows her mom will cover for her. Kate's mom is hurting Kate by not making her responsible for setting her alarm clock."
Matt Hinkle, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

"Children coming from out-of-wedlock births tend to be quiet, shy, [and] not very confident. They usually do not do very well at school and often, like their parents, have sex at a very early age. They are also more likely to use drugs or alcohol, or even be so depressed that they commit suicide…So much could be avoided if we teenagers thought before we [acted]. The young parents would probably exchange changing diapers and warming up bottles with milk for having fun with their friends. And the children, whose parents had them when they were very young, might be blaming themselves for their parents' mistakes and the irony is that it is very probable that they will once make the same mistakes themselves. And lastly, these families would not have to live in poverty, contributing to the national welfare. Maybe we will not do anything as big as becoming a teenage parent, but that does not allow us to act irresponsibly."
Sandra Carbolova, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

Lawsuits
"In 1989, a Blazer with ten teens traveled along sharp curves after midnight. All of the teens were drunk except Jason Rausch, the designated driver. Rausch lost control of the car, skidded, and flipped. Only the driver and one passenger were wearing their seat belts. One person died and two others suffered brain damage. The parents of the passengers are suing the driver, even though the others were drunk and not wearing their seat belts. The only responsible teen is being sued by the irresponsible teens' families."
Rebecca Petrek, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

Parenting
"Seventeen states and thousands of cities have passed responsibility laws. These laws require parents of juvenile delinquents to pay fines or go to jail when their children break the law. In West Virginia, parents had to pay $5,000 in fines because their children were caught defacing public property. A law in Louisiana requires parents to pay $1,000 and face imprisonment for six months if their child is caught associating with convicted felons, drug dealers, or street gangs."
Matt Hinkle, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

"Kevin Irvin was forced by his father to publicly apologize to his teacher for lying to her about his homework. Kevin hated fourth grade, especially math. He never did homework and lied about why it wasn't done. His father found out and wasn't happy. Kevin started to do his homework again, and now is ranked number two in his class. Similarly, Tony Knight's father took away all of Tony's personal possessions when his father found out he was lying about schoolwork. Every week, his eighth grade class was required to turn in a project worth lots of points. Tony never did his projects and lied to his teacher about why he didn't do them. After his father found out, he emptied Tony's room. Tony had to learn to be responsible and do his projects. When his grades improved, he did eventually get his things back.

Another example is Joy Denewellis. Her parents made her go to school when she hadn't finished her art project. Joy had spent the weekend goofing around and going out with friends. Sunday night she begged her parents to let her stay home, but they said no. They said she needed to get a bad grade to learn to take responsibility for her assignments.

In fact, even I have learned responsibility when my mom found out I was taking advantage of a kid on the bus. Our elementary school had a fundraiser selling Nestle candies and other products. For every ten dollars of merchandise we sold, we got a free fifty-cent candy bar. On the bus home, a kid asked to buy one of mine, and I told him it would be $5.00. Next thing I knew, he had a five in his hand. Now I'm not stupid. I kept going all the way up to ten dollars and he gave it to me. I was so proud of my sale, I rushed home and told my mom all about it. Needless to say, she wasn't happy. She walked me to this kid's house and made me give his money back, but I never did see my candy bar again. Since then, I have never taken advantage of someone else again. I learned how rotten it feels to accept responsibility for misbehaving.

One solution to juvenile delinquency is parents who discipline their children, making them accept responsibility for their own actions. Obviously, teens are also responsible for their own actions, but the problem I'm addressing is parents not getting involved. When children screw up, they need a strong parent to make them accept responsibility for their mistakes. Too often parents allow children to misbehave and get away with it. I think most parents have good intentions, but they don't realize the actual harm they cause when they don't punish children."
Matt Hinkle, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

Peers
"Teens are faced with pressure from peers more often than not. Out of my fellow classmates, forty-three percent say they face it one to three times a week and thirty-four percent say that they have to deal with [it] over five times a week. The point is that, as teens, we are always making decisions on how we should deal with this pressure. Most of us are taught not to do drugs, but yet teens across the world do it because of peer pressure. We must make up in our minds that we will make decent choices and never compromise what we believe in.

Nine times out of ten, peer pressure is associated with negative connotations. Although peer pressure is sometimes negative, it isn't always. You might pressure someone to do something that will be positive for them. Since it can be good or bad we, as teenagers, must distinguish whether the pressure we are receiving is positive or negative for you, because different people have different opinions on right and wrong. We have to choose our friends wisely these days. We cannot be hanging with people that are going to try to force to do friends for the wrong reasons. We shouldn't decide to "kick it" with someone just because they look or seem to be popular or cool. With the right friends in the right environment, peer pressure most likely won't be destructive. If you choose your friends wisely, then you should never have to worry about being pressured to do something that you don't want to do.

Since I'm part of this crazy generation X, I know we don't always make the right choices [in] friends. I guess we haven't lived long enough to be so wise. So we face this pressure no matter how hard we try to use our good judgment. This is why we must, at all costs, stand up for what we believe in. We must be morally strong. So many of us have compromised what we believe in to be a part of a group. Two-thirds of teens I recently surveyed have at least once compromised their morals because of this plague called negative peer pressure.

Compromising your morals is wrong and you should never do it. I know that's easier said than done, but we've all got to try. Sometimes doing something might look or seem exciting but going against what you believe in will never ever make you happy. I have done things I never even dreamed of doing because [of] peer pressure and it never made me happy. Of course, it was fun while it lasted but, sooner or later, I began to regret it. Your morals are you, so if you compromise them, then you are compromising yourself.

Sometimes we, as teens, pressure our friends into doing things without even realizing it. It is amazing how oblivious it can be to us to basically force someone to do something that they would never [have] done on their own…It is okay to [be] influential in someone's life, but we must influence people positively; we have to help our friends make good decisions. Eighty-three percent of local Joliet teens say they have pressured someone else…Why teenagers pressure their peers is a mystery. I've done it plenty of times without even realizing it. I guess it's in our nature and subconscious or something. One student responded that we do it because misery loves company. That might possibly be the cause of negative peer pressure, but I'll let you decide. Maybe we don't take it seriously. Over half the students…I surveyed [thought] as long as you make the right decisions, [peer pressure] won't get too serious.

As teens, we must have the responsibility to recognize negative peer pressure and deal with it without compromising our morals. One teen said, 'Peer pressure isn't something I worry about because my self-esteem is greater,' as compared to a few years ago. Another said, 'Peer pressure is nothing more than a simple obstacle that can be conquered by one's true moral judgment.' I suppose that as long as you realize that there can be consequences, whether you pressure someone or give in to pressure, then you have what it takes to make a responsible decision. That's what's important, a responsible decision."
Keely Stewart, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

Responsibility
"Where has responsibility gone? Where are the heroes who save lives, the fighters of injustice, and the general responsibility of all society for the wellbeing of its fellow man? Sometimes we find some problems are related to our own governments', [then] we must rise…and defy the so-called norms. Civil disobedience is an act against government power in the name of personal morals and values…Rosa Parks and Henry David Thoreau committed…civil disobedience in the name of social equality…They took on the responsibility of carrying heavy loads for the bulk of society."
Erick Deshaun Dorris, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

Role Models
"National figures and role models need to take responsibility for their actions and influence on others. You cannot hide the fact that children growing up with an inclination to sports or music are going to use their idols as role models. This is only natural. These figures have huge impacts on the lives of children. Kids learn their first values of fairness and decency from their parents, but also from the stars they see and admire…Children look at people for their actions and words. All too often, important figures stretch the boundaries of good taste and rules. There are several examples of this. Jack McDowell, a major league pitcher, waved his middle finger at a crowd because he had a bad game. Allen Iverson, a pro basketball player, was caught going forty miles over the speed limit with a shot gun and marijuana in the trunk of his car…Several musicians have been connected with drugs, and have used lyrics that send a bad message to kids…These heroes affect kids at critical stages of their development, when they're looking for examples of success. In a national survey, black youth were asked whom they admired most. In the results, Michael Jordan tied for first place with God. These national figures are especially idolized by kids who have no positive role models at home. This type of home has increased in our society. These role models need to take responsibility for their fame…Some national figures have realized…that kids look up to them…Michael Jordan, Grant Hill, and boxer Charles Murray…set a good example. Jordan always explains how old-fashioned morals are still important to him. Similarly, Murray doesn't go places where he runs the risk of being associated with drugs, alcohol,…In today's society, responsibility is often a rotten word. Fortunately, national figures are being taught that their positions and fame are not to be abused. They've learned that society will not accept their irresponsibility. Cedric Dempsey is the Executive Director of the NCAA. He criticized athletes who insist they are not role models, stating they are blind to their adult responsibility. Dempsey is helping with new laws to increase responsibility in athletic stars. He wants to help portray a positive image for all the eyes watching. Cedric also wants to end all concerns about role models' conduct and their messages sent to impressionable spectators…In conclusion, whether they want to be or not, national figures are role models to many children. Stars cannot escape the responsibility they bear for inspiring the nation's youth to live good, productive lives. These figures need to gain their responsibility, and realize the messages their actions are sending."
Melissa Wilhelmi, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

"In the inner city, and even affluent suburban households, children are often left to care for themselves while both parents struggle to earn a living. No matter where they live, the quest for money seems to be the most important element in life. Who should a young person choose to emulate? His parents who struggle all year to earn a combined income of twenty thousand dollars a year or a professional athlete who earns the same amount in one evening of playing ball…Fame is sought by these athletes; it is part of their ambition and their personality. The responsibility they have as a role model, however, is thrust upon them; they did not seek it. But their status, media exposure, and wealth demand that they accept this responsibility as a role model seriously, and not abandon the millions of children who look to them for guidance. A simplistic solution to halt the special treatment given to athletes who break the laws of society and sport is to actively enforce the clause that already exists in most professional contracts, which encourages them to act decently and conform to standards of good citizenship."
Tim Baltz, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

"The entertainers are accountable for their own actions, but the public should not make them role models."
Coffé Summers, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

Sex
"Some teenagers think that nothing can go wrong no matter what they do. They try different things, such as drugs, alcohol or sex, often not realizing that [their] lack of responsibility can permanently change their lives. Unfortunately, we do not live in the past and it is no longer true that if a girl gets pregnant, the boy automatically marries her. On the contrary, according to the May, 1996 issue of USA Today, 'Teenage mothers often choose not to marry the father. Even if they do, these youthful marriages are often unstable and impermanent.' Some young girls think that it would not be a big problem to have and raise their baby. It seems that sometimes they do not even consider the fact that the baby will be with them for at least eighteen more years. They do not think that having a baby is basically the end of their teenage life and having fun with their friends. They have to become mature people who need to be able to take care of not only themselves, but also…another little person. If teenage parents do not know what they are getting into, they are very surprised when they face the reality. They find themselves very tired of the baby around them all the time, they miss their youthful freedom, and they do not like the feeling that everything spins around the baby. It is also very probable that teenage parents stop going to school and never finish it."
Sandra Carbolova, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

"Congress has started an abstinence program that states, under federal rules, that the program should teach that sex outside marriage is likely to have harmful psychological and physical effects, how to reject sexual advances, why drugs and alcohol make that more difficult, and the importance of becoming self-sufficient before having sex. For this program, Congress has passed a welfare law guaranteeing $250 million in abstinence education grants. States must match every $4 in federal money with $3 in state cash, meaning nearly $440 million could be spent in the next five years. The bad part to this program is the fact that there is little or no evidence that any program works effectively with teens. For example, by 1995 [sixty-six percent] of teens reported having sex by the time they graduated from high school.

Nevertheless, some states are taking the money and setting up specific campaigns…For example, Arizona plans to use its money plus an extra $2 million for a "Sex Can Wait" media campaign. Maryland, Louisiana, and Florida are planning after-school programs. Tennessee plans to tie the money to sports, scouting, and touring. Also, Colorado took federal money but will not stop programs already under way, such as family planning and HIV prevention efforts. Another thirteen states plan similar programs to that of Arizona. This includes one in Maryland that has billboards exclaiming "Virgin: Teach your kids it's not a dirty word.

[Despite] these programs…some teens [won't] listen and are going to do whatever they want to do. There is only one solution to this problem, and it starts with the parents…It is the parents' job to instill and maintain good examples, morals, and values. If the parents establish and maintain open communication with their children, they will have no problem expressing their feelings bout sex…and, as these kids [become] teens, they will have [respect for] themselves and others…If teens have positive information, it is…likely that they will make healthy decisions, both physically and mentally."
Melissa Clemens, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

"More teens are having sex than ever before…60% of [males] and 51% of [females] between the ages of fifteen through nineteen are sexually active."
Deddrick Perry, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

"It's Friday night. Teenagers all over the country are getting their weekends started. They're calling friends, planning to go to the movies or to parties, anything besides school. But more often now, teenage girls are spending Friday night rocking their own children to sleep."
Nora Stowe, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

"The results of teenage sexual irresponsibility are such that parents have no alternative but to educate. Younger teens are becoming sexually active every day. [This] means younger teens are contracting sexually transmitted diseases and having unplanned babies. Eighty-five percent of all pregnancies are unintended, more than half are aborted according to a May 19, 1996 article in USA Today. Recently, one of my closest friends who is 16, had her second abortion, both by different boys, due to not protecting herself. For me, this problem hits close to home."
Wynter Jackson, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

Student Opinion
"At the Day Break Homeless Shelter were many who genuinely needed a place to live or warm meals just for a short time span. Most of these people who were 'down on their luck' would be trusted to later make a contribution to society. There were those, however, who clearly had no plans to improve their place in life. There was specifically one that showed no signs of being discontented with her situation. That was odd, considering the fact that she was in an abusive relationship with a child on the way and was only interested in getting her partner to come back, even though he was living on welfare as well. This woman needed to realize her responsibility to herself, to her unborn child, and ultimately to society by starting life anew."
Joshua Patrick Higgins, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

"Our school systems need to require a period of volunteer service for all students, to expose them to those who really need help…The school system…needs also to review the long-forgotten influences of religion in the classroom. This is not to say that anything should be forced upon the students, such as praying or worship of a god with whom they are not familiar. The problem is that the schools threw out much of the morality that was once taught alongside the normal curriculum along with religious practices. These morals and lessons of obligation to the less fortunate should at the very least be suggested to students. If people are made aware of the fact that welfare recipients often need only that final push or motivation, they will volunteer more of their time as results are made. The unemployed, rather than living off the taxpayers, will then return to searching for jobs, finally taking responsibility for themselves."
Joshua Patrick Higgins, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

"The case that changed the history of the [insanity] plea was that of Daniel M'Naghten. M'Naghten killed a secretary to the English Prime Minister in 1843. The then Prime Minister, Robert Peel, was [alleged] by M'Naghten to be the cause of his financial problems. M'Naghten was described as highly delusional and was found not guilty by reason of insanity. This case caused the United States federal courts and most state courts to accept the M'Naghten rule in 1851.…It seems that the plea is growing unpopular. Lawyers [advise] their clients not to plead insanity. They point out that oftentimes the sentence for an insanity plea is longer than a jail sentence. When given the choice between two years in jail or four years in a mental institution, most defendants choose the jail time...In an eight-state study done in 1991, it was found that the insanity plea was involved in less than one percent of all the criminal cases. Within that one percent, only about a quarter of the cases were successful…A jury found Jeffrey Dahmer, the man who dismembered fifteen men and boys and even ate some of their remains, sane enough to serve a prison sentence. It was argued that John Salvi III was a sick person who could not be held responsible for the shooting deaths of two women at a suburban abortion clinic. His attempt at using the insanity plea did not work and the jury in the case sentenced him to life in prison. When millionaire John Du Pont shot Olympic wrestler David Schultz, he claimed that he was insane at the time. A jury did not accept his plea and found him guilty of third-degree murder…In conclusion, the insanity plea is frequently abused. Despite its unpopularity, it needs to be changed. Defendants who use the insanity plea as a last ditch attempt at a defense, escape the punishment they truly deserve. They also overload the mental institutions and raise the cost of keeping these institutions open. This cost is paid by taxpayers unnecessarily. Without change or abolishment, the plea will continue to be abused."
Brian Goebel, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

"Seventeen minutes go by. A death occurs in the United States. However, it is not a case of violence between groups of people or even an accident; rather, it is a voluntary taking of one's own life. Based on this statistic, that is over thirty thousand self-inflicted deaths per year in this country alone. These are people that did not need to die and also did not necessarily want to die. But they did. Who or what is to blame? A lack of responsibility and education could quite possibly have taken their toll and driven these people into despair. Their ignorance of the subject leads them into acting on their emotions and ultimately to self-destruction…Whether because of work, family, relationships, or friends…depression severely affects many people. With this depression, such things as drug abuse, alcohol abuse, physical or verbal abuse of other people, and possible isolation can begin. Feelings of hopelessness eventually occur and, sooner or later, plans of suicide begin to sprout. As this plan evolves, the person may try para-suicides, which are most easily described as practice suicides. Then, one day what began as depression, turns fatal. Aside from the fact that a person has died, it is estimated that six people (family and friends) are directly affected. The person who has committed suicide had a lack of personal responsibility and was either unknowing or uncaring of the emotions of others. They held their life in their hands and threw it away because they were not taught how to be responsible for themselves.

Many books and articles about suicide attempt to explain warning signs and what to do if faced with a suicidal person. However, these articles are basically what to do in order to help a suicidal person; they very seldom provide ways to recognize your own depression and how to help yourself. It may sound bizarre, but some people need to be told what they are feeling…A person should have enough sense and responsibility to get help for himself once he has recognized his depression. Although helping oneself would be a start, more things need to be done earlier in life in order to [reduce] suicides.

Education. This is something that is often misused and taken for granted in the United States. Sure, schools offer the 'basics' such as English, Math, Science, and History, to name a few. These are all needed for a good, solid foundation to start building on. But when it comes down to it, how many of these 'basics' touch on things like emotions and stress that affect our daily lives…The person in need may be one of many that feels that suicidal thoughts are shameful and is afraid to get help. He has no idea that these thoughts are normal, because he was never taught about the subject. Sooner or later, a plan evolves and the person turns to suicide as the only way out. This is a life that could have been saved, but was not because of lack of personal and social responsibility and also the lack of education.

Everyone is in control of his/her own life and must take responsibility for it. Not only should [people] be concerned with themselves, but [they should also be concerned] with the feelings of others…Frankly, one day of depression and suicide talk in a sophomore health class just doesn't cut it…Every high school should offer at least an elective class about suicide. But what really needs to be done is to have a class on depression and suicide required for graduation…By taking the responsibility to educate people on the subject, we would be attempting to turn the statistics around…Close to ninety successful suicides occur every day in our own country. These victims were very unfortunate and gave in to their depression and thoughts because they felt they had no way out. They were most likely never taught how to take responsibility for their emotions…and help themselves. Seventeen minutes go by, another life lost to ignorance."
Rachel Stanski, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

"From the owners to the commissioners to the coaches, there seems to be a willingness to accept any kind of behavior from athletes as long as they are able to score a touchdown, oppression of the Indian people, anti-Semitism, slavery, and taxation without representation…It took individuals to stand for what they believed…to open the sealed doors and rip away the red tape…Professor Shlomo Avineri states, 'Civil disobedience can only be used in oppressive regimes.' He also believes that, '[Civil disobedience] is illegitimate in democratic societies.' Yet, true democracies, like the U.S., tolerate civil disobedience [and it is legitimized] by the successful boycotts, sit-ins, marches, and protests for [the rights of] Blacks, women, and students…In conclusion, civil disobedience is the responsibility to let your own good judgment guide you through hardships unselfishly. It is the responsibility of all men and women to take care of their friends, families, and neighbors…It is also the responsibility to take responsibility for your own actions, and to help others."
Erick Deshaun Dorris, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

"Is censorship really helpful in educating and protecting young minds…It seems like it is doing the complete opposite. It makes the choices for the kids. They are not allowed to think for themselves. Yes, there is a lot of garbage out there, but if parents did their job and raised their children right, they wouldn't have to worry about their children being exposed to that and wouldn't rely on the government."
Jennifer Almanza, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

"The government should legalize the illegal drugs and sell them at outrageous prices with high taxes on them. Then use that money for something like social security or some sort of retirement plan. Another way would be to come together as a worldwide nation and try to resolve that drugs are harmful. We, as human beings, need to make it our responsibility to do away with our drug problems or at least use it to a certain advantage in solving economic problems."
Jerry Williams, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

"The purpose of a lawyer is to fight injustice. The irresponsible not only hurt society, but make a joke of our legal system and otherwise good lawyers. We can't just let [irresponsible lawyers] run away in their shiny BMWs…People should treat these snakes as though they were lepers; justice cannot be spelled with a dollar sign."
Leslie Holder, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

"Who is responsible for the alarmingly high number of teen pregnancies? The simple answer is the teens. I am a teen myself and I know many teens. We are not stupid. Most teens just choose to ignore the consequences of having sex out of plain ignorance. They think that nothing bad could ever happen to them and many of them are wrong. Many teens are taking responsibility for their actions and raising their children, but maybe if they were properly educated, they wouldn't have to…Most sexual education courses are aimed at females and are not started until students are in the tenth grade. If more programs started teaching children at a younger age, such as ten, and gave more attention to males, they would probably be more effective. Also, if contraceptives such as birth control pills, Norplant, and Depo-Provera were more available to teens without the consent of a parent, they would be used more often and would be more successful in preventing pregnancies.

Teens are receiving the message that even if they do become pregnant, they will have someone or something to help them. If more responsibility is given to the teens to take full care of their children, many would probably think twice before making a permanent mistake."
Nora Stowe, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

"In order for the government to stop handing out money to irresponsible, able-bodied people who have no intentions of seeking employment, it must give these people some sort of motivation. I believe that the government should adopt a no-work, no-pay policy toward these unambitious and indifferent members of society. True, there are many people on welfare that need it, but there are also many who don't. For these people, it's time to stop encouraging their irresponsibility by handing them their means of survival on a silver platter. Let them follow the real American Dream: If you work hard enough, you can be anybody and do anything. That's not possible on welfare."
Nicole Gregory, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

"In conclusion, citizens today need to become more responsible for their behavior. This is because our society believes in the idea of personal responsibility. It's thought by some that if all behaviors [are] caused by factors beyond the individual's control, and if people cannot be blamed for actions beyond their control, then no [one] can be blamed for anything. This thought cannot be true and is usually rejected. This is when abuse excuses come into the courts to say why a certain person committed a certain crime. Some people, who also have to be responsible for their actions, may actually have problems that cause them to do things, but most of these excuses just show how irresponsible citizens can be. These are the citizens who cannot abide by the law and need an excuse to clear their hit a home run, or slam dunk a basketball. In the end, it is the lure of money that captivates all of them. If they could remember what the true meaning of sport is for a small child -the hope that this one time on this one day, I shall try to be the best I can be -perhaps then they would accept the responsibility to act in a decent manner. Steps need to be taken to putting a stop to the irresponsibility of some of today's athletes. We cannot have young children growing up as selfish, money-hungry athletes who disdain moral and civil behavior just because they are millionaires. Professional sports fans should take a stand and demand that the athletes pay attention to their behavior on and off the court. They should be the role models who teach our young generation right from wrong. And, they should begin now!"
Tim Baltz, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

"Sometimes an idea appears right [because] it is popular. Segregation was one of these [ideas], as was mistakes. People just need to act more responsibly in society, live by the law, and behave like proper ladies and gentlemen."
Matt Zagar, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

Teens
"Teenagers often do not realize that once thy leave school, it is very unlikely that they will ever return. Being uneducated gives them a very low chance to get a well-paid job."
Sandra Carbolova, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

Volunteers
"It's eleven in the morning and the lasagna is ready to be served, along with twenty loaves of bread and plenty of fruits and vegetables. The tables are set and it's almost time to open the doors and offer a healthy meal to almost a hundred needy people. People of all kinds, some young and spirited, most old and worn out, gather together to admit that they need some assistance. I am proud to help these people and I feel that it is my responsibility. There are few things I could do with my time that would be more fulfilling. Many lives are touched, including mine.

Not too many people can look around their community and say that they like everything they see. It is our responsibility to try to change the things that upset us. If we are not part of the solution, we are part of the problem. There are so many people in our society that just need a little push to get back on the right track. If we desire to live in a community where we feel safe and comfortable, it is our responsibility to make it that way. These changes do not come easily, so the community needs people who are willing to show some lonely people a caring friend. The society will not change overnight, but gradually we will see change in the way we look at one another. To take the time to help someone less fortunate is to become a better, more appreciative person.

Most people claim that they don't have enough time to volunteer. To me, that is a very selfish and cold-hearted claim. Those few hours can make you feel like time has stopped and that you are making a difference. There are few things more rewarding than seeing a person move on to a better life with your help. About a year ago, I was invited to a banquet dinner for our local mission, where I am a volunteer. We heard the testimonies of several people who had found strength and hope at the mission. That night, I found new meaning to life. I discovered a purpose that all people should seek. The glory that comes out of volunteering is a feeling like no other. Men and women of all ages and races stood before us and told it like it was. They explained the terrors and struggles they had faced, and said that without the help of people like us, they couldn't have broken those chains. That thought tugs at my heart and proves to me that everyone in the world has the responsibility to try to make that kind of impact.

It seems that more people are beginning to understand the importance of volunteering. Three are currently ninety-three million volunteers in America. Unfortunately, a majority of these people are not involved in the "human services" such as serving food to the poor or being a big brother or sister to a needy child. Most of these ninety-three million [volunteers] do things like cook for bake sales, mow lawns, or baby-sit. In fact, only eight percent of these people do things that actually benefit the less fortunate people in their community. An article in U.S.A. Today stated that eight out of ten people would probably volunteer these services if they were paid [for] time off from work to do it. Doesn't that completely defeat the purpose of volunteering? These people would not be helping anyone; it would be a selfish attempt to get time off from work

Not only does community service provide the backbone of a good society; it also shows the volunteer a good sense of character and appreciation. Psychologists are really beginning to discover that there are great emotional [rewards] from helping others. Sometimes the only way to learn is to look at the worst examples of life's failures. Nine out of ten people who volunteer agree that they have a healthier state of mind than those who don't help out.

Fortunately, there has been an effort by one of the strongest forces in our communities to get kids to volunteer. High schools are beginning to require a certain number of community service hours in order to graduate. Students can begin to look at volunteering as a responsibility early on in life. If teens are never exposed to the responsibility of volunteering, they will eventually become too busy and never have the chance. High school is the perfect time. Not only are students more open to a new experience, they can also learn to appreciate what [they] have and stay in school and away from drugs.

Some high schools are trying to work the services into the school day. Once again, this does not seem like the ultimate example of volunteering, but it is a step in the right direction. For example, a psychology class might observe at the local soup kitchen and learn about the state of the human condition while helping hundreds of hungry people. Students can learn about conventional ideas and theories while also learning about life itself. Seventy-five percent of students said that they learned more during community service than in a typical class.

If everyone could hear the testimony of an individual whose life has been changed by someone who chose to make time for a stranger, I'm sure that more people would have the desire to volunteer. It becomes so clear that it is the responsibility of an entire society to try to make a difference. Everyone strives for something better and the first step is to improve our community. It's time to hold out a helping hand and ask for nothing in return. Only then can we call ourselves responsible individuals."
Erin Meers, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

White Hats
"Project Zero…is based heavily on volunteerism and prodding the unemployed into action. Those involved are being taught the value of fulfilling responsibilities to the community. In Menominee County, Michigan, those on welfare have been supported by others who are taking responsibility for those in need. Examples of this include individuals who volunteer special skills such as free haircuts, rides to interviews, and childcare that help make employment opportunities more readily available to those who so desperately need them. In this vein lies the solution to the problem of responsibility in receiving welfare."
Joshua Higgins, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

"The Promise Keepers is a Christian-based group that stresses the responsibility of men in all aspects of his life, especially for his family. It encourages men to look beyond themselves to God in search of meaning in their lives. It urges men to stand up for what they truly believe in and to give them an extra encouragement to go out there and actually be a more responsible person. There are conventions held in big stadiums all over the country for these seminars. The number of attendants has grown from around four thousand in 1993 to over one million in 1996. There are motivational speakers, activities, and prayer that are focused on making men more responsible [for] their lives. The messages are clear and usually made into real-life situations so they can be fully comprehended by all of the men. The founder of the group, Bill McCartney, also happens to be a former University of Colorado football coach. This makes it easy for him to stand up in front of thousands of men and relate the main message to things that most guys are familiar with.

PK (Promise Keepers) emphasizes specific roles for a husband to play, encouraging them to stand up and lead their family along with their wife, rather than sit back and be pushed around by society's politically correct image of what a family should be. PK fortifies the hope in men that they can stand up against [the] erosion of values in society, like weakening marriage vows, premarital pregnancy, sexual immorality, and divorce.

In my opinion, this is a wonderful organization. The United States needs more organizations of this sort to help teach the irresponsible men how to be real men. These organizations need to stress how important being responsible is in raising a family. These things were so prevalent in our society only a few decades ago. If men want to take the chance of having a child, they should automatically accept whatever responsibilities go along with it. Men should no longer be able to choose to leave the poor baby and mother to face a terrible fate because they are not willing to accept their responsibility."
Krystal Baker, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois

"Mr. Ruchell, for the past thirty years, used his legal skills to help the poor, oppressed, and wrongly convicted. Many of Ruchell's clients were released because of his work. There's the National Volunteer Lawyers Project that makes matches of legal cases with large numbers of elders from volunteer law firms. In addition, there's the Lawyer's Committee for Human Rights who have an asylum program. For the past sixteen years, volunteer lawyers use 45,000 hours of their time, giving up a total of $56.5 million to contribute to their cause. They win 85% of their cases--that's three times the national average."
Leslie Halder, Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Illinois                                                                                                    [Back]