Editorial

At last we know who to blame for the under-18 crowd roaming Kinston's streets at night: It's the city's fault.

That stupefying revelation was made clear Tuesday night when residents railed against the City Council for failing to provide nighttime activities for children. The compliant continued in restaurants and offices this week: "The city should have some place for kids to go at night. Kids in Kinston have nothing to do."

It's mind numbing, especially when followed by statements like, "The city has no right to tell kids they have to be home by a certain time."

Why are we so reluctant to have the city set a time limit for children to be off the streets, yet demand the government sponsor after-hours recreational programs? Why would we sanction government intervention in one arena, but forbid it in another?

Giving the city responsibility for babysitting our children is straight out of the socialistic "It-takes-a-village-to-raise-a-child" mentality of Hillary Rodham Clinton, and her book of the same name. It does not take a village to raise your child or mine.

It takes a parent, or grandparent, who cares. It takes a responsible adult unafraid to say no. And, if necessary, it takes a committed police department to force those parents to be moms and dads.

Neither impregnating a woman nor giving birth confers parental status. That comes by loving, and disciplining, one's own children. One of the first responsibilities of a parent is to set limits.

Most of us teach our children not to stick their hands into a fire, not to play in traffic, not to eat rat poison. Why is it so much more difficult to teach children - and their parents - that home is the place to be after a certain time at night?

Government usually steps into a void. As long as parents refuse to take care of their own children, we should be glad for police who are willing to accept another thankless job, and City Council members who give them the tools to do it.