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Over this past week, several city elected officials shared with me their belief that youth between the ages of 14 and 18 simply, “Have nothing to do” over the summer months. I respectfully disagree with the premise.
It appears that there are plenty of local opportunities (at little or no cost and with financial assistance available) for youth in this age range being offered by such Lakewood organizations as the following, by example only since I am sure I am leaving someone out and apologize in advance:
It would also appear that parents who are engaging their children prior to age 14 continue to do so as well.
It would even appear that many youth:
Organize activities on their own (e.g., sports, clubs, etc.), Volunteer on their own, Enjoy summer employment, Relax in the park reading books and/or listening to music, Spend time with friends, Participate in family vacations, and/or Simply enjoy “doing nothing.”
I also hear that some city elected officials are interested in bringing basketball courts to both Lakewood Park and Madison Park.
My oldest child is not 14 yet, but he will be next summer. He is actually looking forward to being 14 because then he's old enough to work for the rec dept. I know a lot of teens in Lakewood and I've never heard any of them say they are bored. It amazes me when I hear people say there is nothing for teens to do in Lakewood because that seems quite absurd to me. The community can only do so much, if kids are bored then either themselves or their parents need to find them something to do.
When I was a sophomore in High School (15 years old), I was extremely bored. So I picked up a camera and found some new inspiration from my favorite teacher in the whole wide world. I began reading, studying and practicing photography, thinking that it would keep me busy and not bored...not thinking that it would lead to anything other than killing time.
Well, the rest is history.
My dad always said that it's my fault that I'm bored. I think he's right. It was just a matter of learning to take things into my own hands and doing something about it.
"Hey Kiddo....this topic is much more important than your football photos, so deal with it." - Mike Deneen
I worked every summer since I was 13. Days I didnt, I spent them at the pool with my friends. Or I read lots of books. My parents were not big believers in camps, but I did go to week long sports clinics here and there. I found my own things to do (that weren't illegal or trouble)- I don't see how this option has changed.
I think this perception of teens having nothing to do probably comes from the pure visibility of kids in general. People assume that seeing kids standing or walking around means there is nothing for them to do otherwise we would not be seeing them so much.
Some of these kids are doing precisely what they mean to do when they stand or walk on the sidewalk. That this feels like "something" to do. They are hanging out, connecting with like-minded friends.
In my visits to Massillon the rec director listed many many things they have for their kids (including canoeing, trails, mountain biking, hiking, camping and a host of other things we don't have) and yet they were dealing with the same issue! Probably not a Lakewood specific problem.
I am betting the chief complaints are coming from parents who are looking for others to provide activities for their kids and residents who don't like to see kids walking around or standing PERIOD.
That being said - there is a general lack of self sufficiency when it comes to kids having the skills to FIND things to do. TV/Computer/Video Games decreases the need for them to explore the city and so when they do, they stop short of really getting into something more enterprising than walking around and hanging.
I have said it before - but one of the major issues facing a city as dense as Lakewood is the prevalence of TV in the home and the ways we manage it. It only takes away from the community - it does not improve it. Our homes were designed and built BEFORE such a medium existed yet we don't fully take advantage of the porches, sidewalks, etc that we have installed - something newer cities are trying to recreate.
If only First Energy could accidentally lose power so we could meet our neighbors once a year and kids could fill an entire day without out a screen.
Matthew John Markling wrote:I also hear that some city elected officials are interested in bringing basketball courts to both Lakewood Park and Madison Park.
This would be outstanding! I would love to see hoops at Lakewood Park.
I was going to sue her for defamation of character but then I realized I had no character – Charles Barkley
Looking for something novel for youth to do over the summer? There is even a "Summer Reading List" available on the Lakewood Public Library's website. Just click here.
Part of the reason why kids that are 14 find a little more difficulty finding where they fit in is because they really aren't middle schoolers anymore and but they aren't high schoolers yet either. When they hit this age they also need to figure out which sport they really want to participate in and then they really train for it. For example, if you are playing high school soccer, training starts soon after school gets out and doesn't stop. The kids need a certain level of commitment. There aren't as many sports that are just for fun. I've always though it was kids of a shame in a society where obesity is such an issue that we don't encourage sports as a just for fun activity. I can't remember the statistic but by age 12 only a small percentage of kids participate in sports at all. I have a 14 year old and an eleven year old and if I can afford it, I can keep them busy pretty much the whole summer. The only problem is that we have to eat too.
Show me a teenager who says "Theres just TOO much do do in my home town! I cant decide what to do first!" Now thats the kid that needs help. Boredom goes along with being 15. If your not bored the summer between your freshman, sophomore and junior years you really are kind of weird.
Speaking for myself only, as a former Lakewood teenager, (never mind how far back when) I was GLAD not to have every waking moment of my day regulated by generally well-intentioned, but at times draconian powers-that-were.
My parents were firm supporters of the idea that young people need some time during the summer months to cultivate their OWN pursuits, and they had enough faith in me to let that happen.
