Respect for adults was deterrent for bad behavior

The article that was written about the unthinkable stabbing of an adult by a 13-year-old boy ("New Bedford teen charged with stabbing," June7) brought these thoughts to my mind in regard to, "What happened?"

When I was a child, my parents made it quite clear that I was to respect them and all adults that came my way. That means I respect all the adults in my family, my neighborhood, my school and my country. I knew that my responsibility was not to bring any shame home to my family. Behaving poorly in the community would bring shame to my family.

The education that I received was from my parents and it began when I was very young. It started before I entered school so I would know how to behave in school and in public. Thus, if any adult was to correct me in the community, should I be doing something I should not, I was to be respectful and listen.

I would also expect (in the two New Bedford villages I was raised in) that an adult would very likely inform my parents of any ill behavior. I would also expect that my parents would not make excuses for my behavior. I never had any adult have to call my parents that I had not behaved in public because I knew better. I also would not want to bring shame to my parents.

The first line of parenting occurs with the two individuals that made the child. If there is only one parent, then that person, as well as the two-parent families, should assure the community that they will provide proper rearing of the children they brought into this world so our community does not have to worry about children's behaviors when they are in school or in the neighborhood without their parents.

I do realize that there are some parents who are doing their best to raise some very difficult children. Their only recourse is to stay firm, realistic and utilize every viable resource, such as counseling, courts and the support of family and friends (also prayer if you're so inclined) to raise that child.

Ultimately, life sometimes has to teach that child when wisdom won't.

Toni A. Teixeira

New Bedford