Helicopter Parents extreme

Now you can keep an eye on your teenager's driving habits, even control their maximum speed and radio volume. It is Helicopter Parents to the Extreme.

This is part of the YS Blog. Read it and tell me what you think.

Today’s USA Today reports that Ford Motor Company is unveiling something new, aimed at helping teen drivers practice safe driving.

MyKey lets parents configure one key as the teen’s. When the car is started with
MyKey, top speed can be limited to 80 mph, and chimes can be set to sound at 45
mph, 55 mph and 65 mph.

Seat belt use is encouraged in two ways: If the
driver and passenger don’t put on their belts, a chime sounds until they do.
Possibly more important to teens: The audio system won’t turn on until the front
two passengers are buckled up.

It can also max out the audio at half
volume (which is still plenty loud), keep track of the young driver’s mileage
and provide earlier low-fuel warnings than standard.

It all sounds so reasonable, doesn’t it? A device that prevents kids from dangerous behavior is probably a good thing. I’ve had students get in serious car accidents. I’ve witnessed teen drivers be involved and even cause fatal car accidents. And I certainly know the dangers and statistics about teen drivers.

Yet, I can’t help but point out that MyKey treats the symptoms of the problem without solving the problem. (Perhaps this amplifies the problem by electronically preventing poor driving?) The problem isn’t the cars ability to go fast, play loud music, or beep when the seat belt isn’t in use. The problem is that we don’t expect teens to be safe drivers. The problem is that when a child gets a citation for reckless driving that the parents keep giving their child the keys. As with other monitoring devices, this gives parents the ability to monitor their behavior without ever having a conversation with their child. Isn’t this just another tethering device that, in effect, prevents teenagers from growing up, learning from their mistakes, and getting a taste of freedom?Isn’t adolescence all about individuation, experimentation, and learning how to be a unique person away from parents?

Five years ago, youth workers started to notice the helicopter parent phenomenon. Kids had to call mom or dad constantly to inform them of their latest position, what they were doing, who they were with. Additionally, parents were anywhere they were allowed. I remember looking out my youth room window while teaching and seeing 2-3 parents spying in… just to keep an eye on what their kid was doing. Now, thanks to mobile phones GPS, cars GPS, and devices like MyKey, parents can call their child at any second as well as monitor their behavior via satellite. We are moving from helicopter parents to satellite parents. And I’m not sure that’s a good thing for adolescent development.

Thoughts?


September 1st, 2009 - Posted By: Adam McLane in adolescence, news item

Sunday Wrap-Up

In Fusion Youth Group Service we looked at a Nooma video, #16 Rhythm. It was extremely good. Part of the point is that we are all part of God's song. The question is are we in tune or out of tune. Good stuff.

The biggest news of the night is that Rhonda Glover announced her engagement to Joe - yea!!! Looking forward to November 22.

Good Sunday (I also took a nap... wearing my CPAP... after a great lunch at home)

Down the River we went

This past weekend I took a group to West Virginia for a rafting experience. We rafted the New River and had a blast. We went with Appalachian Wildwater again. This is our third time with this company and this same river. As far as I know it is the best deal out there. Great facilities - they have a pool and hot tub on site. They also have a game room with a pool table. We stayed in platform tents for two nights, they are really comfortable. Saturday, the day we rafted, we started with a great hot breakfast and then off for our bus ride to the put in spot. The first half of the trip was family class - not a lot of big stuff. We stopped half way down the river for a deli lunch and then on for the adventurous part of the trip. Great rapids - Great fun! When we finally made it back to the outpost, we were served dinner - choice of steak, chicken, salmon or spaghetti. All very good - I got the steak.

Sunday morning we had a service together - I talked about encouraging each other then about sharing our story with others. I ended with this:

We only called to share Jesus to the extent that we know him.

You see the woman at the well only told people, "come and see the man who told me everything I ever did." She didn't have some deep theological sermon to give, she wouldn't have been able to answer any questions - she told everything she knew about the great encounter of her life. THAT is what we are challenged to do - tell people about the greatest encounter of our lives - Jesus.

Pretty good I think.

End of the Spear

Last night we watched "End of the Spear" with our youth group. We went over to a sponsors home, Rhonda (not my wife) to watch it. She was having the girls spend the night after youth service, so we decided to just watch the movie at her house. Very powerful. Really makes you think. Would you be willing to give all for the sake of the gospel? It is easy preaching and doing ministry in our air-conditioned churches with people who understand what you are trying to do. The question the movie begs is what are you really doing with your life? What are you doing with the gift God has given you? I'm afraid, not much.

The Latest

The latest what? I guess the latest about me, of course! It's been a while since my last post. I just get busy and then when I sit down to post, something else comes up, usually like ready everyone else's postings. That really eats your time. BUT, I get to read some really good ones.

One I read today compared the fastfood pictues to the real thing. You've got to check this out.

More? Here you go... (this is isn't all, I just don't want you to fall asleep at your computer and drool all over your keyboard - ewwww)

• Sunday (June 10) was Grad. Sunday. I got to preach even though it was our new pastor's second Sunday with us. What a cool honor. I used a bicycle in my sermon: Bicycle of Life: Getting Ready for a Brand New Journey. Here it is in a nutshell (without scripture refs. sorry. If you want them, just let me know). Wheels = Faith (got to have your own and keep them pumped up - I gave each grad a bike pump with "Faith" written on it.) Peddles = Action (get involved, go somewhere, enjoy life) Handlebars & Breaks = Direction & Choices (life is about choices, make good ones) Balance (control your life) The Journey ahead. The we prayed for each grad.
• Sunday night in Fusion Life (youth service) I used each of the grads favorite verse to talk about life. They really picked some good ones. They also submitted some quotes. One of my favorites what by Justin. He said, "God created us all to be superman, we have to choose to wear the S." That is so cool. God doesn't make any junk or mistakes - but we sure can make it look that way when we are outside of his will.
• Mine and Rhonda's anniversary is coming up - tomorrow - 14 years! I've got some special stuff planned - very creative this year (no, that doesn't mean cheap). I'll share more later - Rhonda may read my blog... but I doubt it.
• We went to see Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End on opening night - I thought is was very good - a bit slow at the beginning, but it picked up nicely. Maybe a #4 coming. I hope so. Next big movie: Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer! Maybe taking the youth group boys. And YES, my wife is planning to see it with me too. She is so cool!
• UNC is in the College World Series! Is your team? Did you know that colleges play more than Football and Basketball? UNC is thinking about having a football team next year (ha ha ha). Go Heels!
• Took my 2 kids to the dentist today. No cavities AND the dentist and hygienist are both Heels fans.
• Did some downloading from iTunes this weekend. (hey, someone send me an iPod or at least some iTunes gift certs. - that would be nice). I downloaded some songs to used for the Grad. Picture Show (makes moms cry to see their babies all growing up). Here is my list... don't judge me...

I Still Believe - Jeremy Camp
What If - Jadon Lavik
Raging Sea - Michael W. Smith
How to Say Goodbye - Michael W. Smith
The Power of a Moment - Chris Rice ** This is the song we used**
Where You Lead Me - MercyMe
Follow Your Dreams - Raze
Smellin' Coffee - Chris Rice
8th Grade - Chris Rice
He Believes In You - Aaron Benward
Lifesong - Casting Crowns
Here I Go Again - Whitesnake
Girls Just Want to Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper -- yes, I'm a closet Cyndi Lauper fan, now the word is out --
Time After Time - Cyndi Lauper
She Bop - Cyndi Lauper
You're the Inspiration - Chicago

The first two, I'd downloaded several months ago for different youth services. The last few were, well, old memories. BTW: That is my whole iTunes list.

Here's an idea: post your last 10 iTunes downloads! Tag, your it.

That's all for now. My next post will be #100. I can sense your excitement.

THINK before you post

Thanks to Josh for pointing out these vids. Share them with anyone who posts pic on the net, especially students.




and this one...



good stuff

Raines anyone

Found a new TV show, Raines. It came on Thursday's at 10:00 PM, but they are already moving it to a new day - Fridays. Not sure if that is a good sign. I don't usually write about TV shows, but I'm really enjoying Raines. I think Jeff Goldblum is great. Of course he has the perfect first name, unless that is not your first name, then, maybe not so perfect.

I'm a bit out of time, meeting the youth group to go to Student Life Tour: clarity07. Can't wait, gonna be a GREAT time with them.

Show is great. What do you think.

Oh, yeah, GO HEELS!