What about our youth?

[user_name]

I was born and raised in Bossier City. I remember when there was nothing but a bunch of woods. No Casinos, no skanky clubs, none of that. Just a lot of churches and woods. But, we always found something to do. From building tree forts, to having "roman candle wars". For a few extra dollars we would rake a few yards or cut a few lawns. Nowadays, children in their early to late teens on to yound adulthood (under 21) expect more. These days, children are more focused on the internet and gaming. My younger troops (military term for subordinates), particularly under 21, are always saying that there's is nothing to do here unless you are 21 or older. Unfortunatley this is true. I remember a few teen clubs that gave it a try, but failed because of the idiots that like to start fights and bring in weapons. But, there were also some clubs with owners that had no clue about business or how to run a business. Now, the youth of these days turn to running the streets when they are bored, and getting into trouble. What do you think needs to be done to give these teens something to do other than hang out around the boardwalk theatre or malls causing trouble? I was thinking something like a WiFi hotspot for gaming and such. Not necessarly a club, but a place for those under 21 to go and have fun.

Looking forward to hearing your ideas and responses.

[woob]

I was born and raised in Bossier City. I remember when there was nothing but a bunch of woods. No Casinos, no skanky clubs, none of that. Just a lot of churches and woods. But, we always found something to do. From building tree forts, to having "roman candle wars". For a few extra dollars we would rake a few yards or cut a few lawns. Nowadays, children in their early to late teens on to yound adulthood (under 21) expect more. These days, children are more focused on the internet and gaming. My younger troops (military term for subordinates), particularly under 21, are always saying that there's is nothing to do here unless you are 21 or older. Unfortunatley this is true. I remember a few teen clubs that gave it a try, but failed because of the idiots that like to start fights and bring in weapons. But, there were also some clubs with owners that had no clue about business or how to run a business. Now, the youth of these days turn to running the streets when they are bored, and getting into trouble. What do you think needs to be done to give these teens something to do other than hang out around the boardwalk theatre or malls causing trouble? I was thinking something like a WiFi hotspot for gaming and such. Not necessarly a club, but a place for those under 21 to go and have fun.

Looking forward to hearing your ideas and responses.

[user_name]

You're not rambling. You are correct. But, it's not that they have to work. A lot of the times it's because they want to work and want a career of their own, and an education of their own. Women are less dependent. This is a good thing. My wife doesn't have to work, but she chooses to because she wants to contribute and also have her own career. I don't think it's so much of a "they HAVE to work", I think its more like "they have to work because we were stupid with our money and now we are in major debt." It's all about how you allocate your money. If you've studied economics recently, fewer americans are saving money. Now, we are programmed into the gotta have lifestyle instead of the what do we need lifestyle. I guess I could go on and on about this. It's just a matter of money allocation.

For kids in the teenage to young adult years, there is no place for them to go and socialize and do anything and that's the topic. Even if they had a parent stay home with them, they don't want to be at home with their parent all day. So many people discuss the issues shreveport/bossier is having, but noone can come up with a solution to the problem other than MORE COPS or "White Flight".

[baffroom]

We need to reduce the poverty levels to reduce crime. The crime rate in SBC has improved significantly since the early 90s due to more abundant and better paying jobs. Education has also improved with better funding and college opportunities (i attended and graduated using Louisiana's TOPS scholarship -- awesome program). This trend needs to continue, and poverty and crime will diminish if it does. Louisiana definitely has made some improvements in education and jobs, but there's still lots of room for improvement. Education and discipline (instituted by parents to their kids) is very important too.

Just my opinion