How unplugged can parents be?

This topic was created in the Miscellaneous forum by LetltB on Thursday, April 10, 2014 and has 40 replies.

Profile picture of LetltB
@LetltB
13 Years5,000+ Posts

This is an update to the Pennsylvania high school stabbings. In another article this kid's parents reaction was total shock. I'm not buying that..

Kid wakes up for school, decides he's gonna take a knife to school and cut some people up (21 to be exact). Says good morning to Mom and Dad, eats his cheerios..and goes to school.

I KNOW when my son has a test/essay coming up without him telling me, I KNOW when he's had a tiff with his girlfriend before he tells me, I KNOW his body language with upcoming perfromances he's preparing for...I could go on. How did these parents not know SOMETHING was off—?
Does he wake up to an empty home in the morning and come home to an empty one from school each day? Who knows, whatever it is, I sure hope the parents get a clue if there are more children in the home.

Teen Suspected in Stabbing Spree Will Be Charged As Adult

The Pennsylvania teenager who is accused of stabbing and slashing schoolmates in an early morning rampage at his high school will be charged as an adult, authorities confirmed.

Alex Hribal, 16, will face four counts of attempted homicide and 21 counts of aggravated assault.

The Murrysville, Pa., teen allegedly stabbed or slashed 20 fellow students and a security guard at Franklin Regional Senior High School on Wednesday morning minutes before the school's opening bell.

At least five students were critically wounded, including a boy who was on a ventilator after a knife pierced his liver, missing his heart and aorta by only millimeters, doctors said.

The motive is under investigation.

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/school-stabbing-spree/teen-suspected-stabbing-spree-will-be-charged-adult-n76576

Profile picture of TMV
@TMV
13 Years1,000+ Posts

My first question was, why didn't anyone stop him? How the hell did he get away with pulling off a slice n' dice on twenty different people?

It's one kid with a knife. Where were the football players to dive tackle his ass or something.

Profile picture of Damnata
@Damnata
16 Years25,000+ PostsVirgo

Posted by LetltB

I KNOW when my son has a test/essay coming up without him telling me, I KNOW when he's had a tiff with his girlfriend before he tells me, I KNOW his body language with upcoming perfromances he's preparing for...I could go on. How did these parents not know SOMETHING was off—?

See, I used to think of it like that. My Dad knows me inside out too..but there's an increasing number of parents who are out of touch with their kids. It's even worse with the younger generation because they spend most of the time in front of a computer so you cannot pick up on their body language anymore..they all look like in a state of trance.

Profile picture of LetltB
@LetltB
13 Years5,000+ Posts

Posted by TMV
My first question was, why didn't anyone stop him? How the hell did he get away with pulling off a slice n' dice on twenty different people?

It's one kid with a knife. Where were the football players to dive tackle his ass or something.

I'd almost bet he took the SRO (School Resource Officer) out first. I'm waiting to hear the details on this. Regarding a tackle...I say the same thing when someone does this with a gun..it would be an immediate reaction to tackle and stop it. Who knows? they did say it was a blood bath though, the reality of a horror flick turned TO REALITY could've caused a deer in the headlights freeze reaction.

Profile picture of CreepyPants
@CreepyPants
20 Years5,000+ Posts

in a real life and death situation, or even when the threat of physical harm is eminent, the will for actual heroics changes. a lot.

what people think they would do, or would hope to do, can be as different as night and day to what they actually will do.

Profile picture of LetltB
@LetltB
13 Years5,000+ Posts

Posted by Damnata
See, I used to think of it like that. My Dad knows me inside out too..but there's an increasing number of parents who are out of touch with their kids. It's even worse with the younger generation because they spend most of the time in front of a computer so you cannot pick up on their body language anymore..they all look like in a state of trance.

My Dad too! I couldn't hide shit from him! My son has his x-box, pc..music but I STILL sense when something is off. There's gotta be more to this family. I guess we'll see.

Profile picture of Damnata
@Damnata
16 Years25,000+ PostsVirgo

I think people have blurred the lines between parenting and friendship with their kids.

You still remain the parent, no matter what. Too many people got swept in this new age haze and lose and the kids go off track because they no longer respect them. Their hearts are in a bad place but I've seen family friends who were friends more than parents and the kids grew up to be skilled manipulators as a result.

I'll be watching this closely too.

Profile picture of P-Angel
@P-Angel
21 Years25,000+ PostsPisces

" ... Hribal is remorseful but didn't appear to appreciate the gravity of his actions."

I pulled that from an article I was reading.

Something is making people walk around like zombies, and not realizing their actions.

maybe believing fb is real life

Profile picture of Andalusia
@Andalusia
12 Years5,000+ Posts

Posted by TMV
My first question was, why didn't anyone stop him? How the hell did he get away with pulling off a slice n' dice on twenty different people?

It's one kid with a knife. Where were the football players to dive tackle his ass or something.

This was my thought too. Like, WTF? Did he attack during nap time? Is he a ninja?! Was he using a Hattori Hanzo sword?

Profile picture of LetltB
@LetltB
13 Years5,000+ Posts

From a classmate:

Matt DeCasare, 17, a junior at Franklin Regional High School, had friends in common with Hribal. He says the Hribal family was well-regarded in the community and that many students were shocked. DeCasare said there were rumors of Hribal acting —on edge?? earlier this week.

—I know some people who knew him well and they can't seem to put an exact pinpoint on what caused it,?? DeCasare told BuzzFeed. —I heard earlier this week when people tried to talk to him in Spanish class — I know one girl tried to talk to him and he seemed a little on edge, a little different than usual this week.??
Also:

It is not yet known what triggered the attack. According to Murrysville Police Chief Thomas Seefeld, authorities are looking into reports of a threatening phone call between the suspect and another student Tuesday night.

District Attorney John Peck said Wednesday that after he was taken into custody, Hribal made comments suggesting he wanted to die.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/ryanhatesthis/what-we-know-about-the-frhs-mass-stabbing-suspect
@TMV..he was tackled by the assistant school principal.

Profile picture of P-Angel
@P-Angel
21 Years25,000+ PostsPisces

I thought about that too, initially ... but, then I read where this happened before the bell rang in the morning ..... and we all know that it's a clusterfuck of people rushing their lockers all at the same second.

In the hall, where all the lockers are .... it could easily happen, because there would be so many people right next to him.

I believe it's half social media, in where people cannot FEEL the true presence of others, and the other half is how people can't handle being told their wrong and will spout "don't judge me" ....

Pretty much, that ^^^^^ spells oblivion to real life

Profile picture of LetltB
@LetltB
13 Years5,000+ Posts

Posted by P-Angel

I thought about that too, initially ... but, then I read where this happened before the bell rang in the morning ..... and we all know that it's a clusterfuck of people rushing their lockers all at the same second.

In the hall, where all the lockers are .... it could easily happen, because there would be so many people right next to him.

I believe it's half social media, in where people cannot FEEL the true presence of others, and the other half is how people can't handle being told their wrong and will spout "don't judge me" ....

Pretty much, that ^^^^^ spells oblivion to real life

He was well liked too by his friends according to the cnn article. So what made him oblivious and go into a rampage? There's gotta be more to this..

Profile picture of Andalusia
@Andalusia
12 Years5,000+ Posts

Posted by P-Angel

I thought about that too, initially ... but, then I read where this happened before the bell rang in the morning ..... and we all know that it's a clusterfuck of people rushing their lockers all at the same second.

In the hall, where all the lockers are .... it could easily happen, because there would be so many people right next to him.

I believe it's half social media, in where people cannot FEEL the true presence of others, and the other half is how people can't handle being told their wrong and will spout "don't judge me" ....

Pretty much, that ^^^^^ spells oblivion to real life

Ooh... Well, that makes sense.

Profile picture of LetltB
@LetltB
13 Years5,000+ Posts

The "ozzie and harriet" comments..wonder who fed that to the media, and WE ALL KNOW, what looks normal from the outside, might not be on the inside. Look at the house where those three girls kidnapped and locked in the basement for 10 years..ya know?

Profile picture of LetltB
@LetltB
13 Years5,000+ Posts

Posted by aquapiscescusp
children's desensitization to violence is rampant :: this should be factored in

It's a shame parents don't take the time to teach the difference. ESPECIALLY since the experts have been pointing that fact out for over a decade regarding video games and the digital world...

Profile picture of LetltB
@LetltB
13 Years5,000+ Posts

Posted by geminicandIe
Yeah, who knows what kind of creepy environment is inside, behind the curtains?

That Newton School shooter was a "good kid" too, from good family.

I don't know if you were being sarcastic??^^

The dirt on his mother came out immediately..

Profile picture of aquapiscescusp
@aquapiscescusp
14 Years10,000+ Posts

Posted by P-Angel

Posted by LetltB

Posted by aquapiscescusp
children's desensitization to violence is rampant :: this should be factored in

It's a shame parents don't take the time to teach the difference. ESPECIALLY since the experts have been pointing that fact out for over a decade regarding video games and the digital world...

... and movies.

click to expand

The interactive quality of video games is different from viewing television or movies because it lets the kid become an active player in the game...imo. Their acts of violence are rewarded-- by moving on to the next level. What message does that send.

Profile picture of LetltB
@LetltB
13 Years5,000+ Posts

Posted by DonAmanMarat

Posted by LetltB
This is an update to the Pennsylvania high school stabbings. In another article this kid's parents reaction was total shock. I'm not buying that..

It is easy to speak from high horse when you have NO idea what goes on in their household....

As a parent you can give your child a happy home, provide em training in music and sports. You have the ability to choose where you wanna make a living and where your child will got to school (hopefully IT IS a good enough school to support their academic performance)
As for making em into good people? Parents CAN NOT do this....A child behaviour at home differs from how they behave at school. Child can be an ANGEL at home (without the swearing, stealing and violence) but could be a TOTAL devil at school. Sadly all too parents go by what see at home and hardly dig deeper to find out what going on OUTSIDE home in this economy its getting tougher with both parents working 2 jobs and kids coming home to a nanny...

click to expand

Jesus...why do some people in DXP place me on high wooden horse? But...ok, given your devil's advocate side, I suppose SOME situations are indeed how you portray them to be. Let's just say, until we know the truth we see both sides and shared each aspect of them.

Profile picture of LetltB
@LetltB
13 Years5,000+ Posts

Posted by GetMisted

Posted by P-Angel

" ... Hribal is remorseful but didn't appear to appreciate the gravity of his actions."

I pulled that from an article I was reading.

Something is making people walk around like zombies, and not realizing their actions.

maybe believing fb is real life

That's what scares me about some users on dxp.

But yes, I agree. The world is becoming to virtual, or artificial.

click to expand

Very fake & artificial..in some cases at all costs. Is it denial of reality? If so I can't help but wonder why especially after they witness the outcome of events like this.

Profile picture of aquapiscescusp
@aquapiscescusp
14 Years10,000+ Posts

Posted by DonAmanMarat

Posted by LetltB
This is an update to the Pennsylvania high school stabbings. In another article this kid's parents reaction was total shock. I'm not buying that..

It is easy to speak from high horse when you have NO idea what goes on in their household....

As a parent you can give your child a happy home, provide em training in music and sports. You have the ability to choose where you wanna make a living and where your child will got to school (hopefully IT IS a good enough school to support their academic performance)
As for making em into good people? Parents CAN NOT do this....A child behaviour at home differs from how they behave at school. Child can be an ANGEL at home (without the swearing, stealing and violence) but could be a TOTAL devil at school. Sadly all too parents go by what see at home and hardly dig deeper to find out what going on OUTSIDE home in this economy its getting tougher with both parents working 2 jobs and kids coming home to a nanny...

click to expand

If a parent is in tune with their child, they will know what is going on at school --also. A child's behavior at home does not differ that drastically if they have a stable environment. Plus, there is teacher/school feedback?

A nanny? LOL yeah ok

Profile picture of LetltB
@LetltB
13 Years5,000+ Posts

Posted by DonAmanMaratMy question is what PROVOKES these clowns in the first place...if its "BULLYING" is it not easy for school to detect a walking disaster waiting to happen?

According to this kid's classmates, he had a lot of friends. If he was being bullied, that would have been revealed by now..

Profile picture of LetltB
@LetltB
13 Years5,000+ Posts

Posted by aquapiscescusp

If a parent is in tune with their child, they will know what is going on at school --also. A child's behavior at home does not differ that drastically if they have a stable environment. Plus, there is teacher/school feedback?

A nanny? LOL yeah ok

Absolutely correct. I'm gonna have to climb back onto that high horse to say, from day one I have been in complete touch with all of my kid's teachers either in person, phone or many times by e-mail.
They hold nothing back from the parents and actually LOVE that parents are concerned enough to communicate with them...(climbs back off nelly)

Profile picture of aquapiscescusp
@aquapiscescusp
14 Years10,000+ Posts

Posted by GetMisted

Posted by LetltB

Posted by aquapiscescusp
children's desensitization to violence is rampant :: this should be factored in

It's a shame parents don't take the time to teach the difference. ESPECIALLY since the experts have been pointing that fact out for over a decade regarding video games and the digital world...

My parents never point it out. I have yet to go on a killing rampage.

click to expand

yet, being the operative word

Profile picture of aquapiscescusp
@aquapiscescusp
14 Years10,000+ Posts

Posted by LetltB

Posted by aquapiscescusp

If a parent is in tune with their child, they will know what is going on at school --also. A child's behavior at home does not differ that drastically if they have a stable environment. Plus, there is teacher/school feedback?

A nanny? LOL yeah ok

Absolutely correct. I'm gonna have to climb back onto that high horse to say, from day one I have been in complete touch with all of my kid's teachers either in person, phone or many times by e-mail.
They hold nothing back from the parents and actually LOVE that parents are concerned enough to communicate with them...(climbs back off nelly)

click to expand

Good for you LIB... you should be proud.

"The child and the school both benefit, and parents serve as role models as they demonstrate the importance of community participation. In addition to improving academic progress, parental involvement pays off in other significant ways. Numerous studies have shown that parents' involvement is a protective factor against adolescent tobacco use, depression, eating disorders, academic struggles, and other problems. By staying involved with their child and/or teenager, parents can be a source of support, create a climate for discussing tough issues and serve as role models for responsible and empathic behavior."

Profile picture of aquapiscescusp
@aquapiscescusp
14 Years10,000+ Posts

Posted by GetMisted

Posted by aquapiscescusp

Posted by GetMisted

Posted by LetltB

Posted by aquapiscescusp
children's desensitization to violence is rampant :: this should be factored in

It's a shame parents don't take the time to teach the difference. ESPECIALLY since the experts have been pointing that fact out for over a decade regarding video games and the digital world...

My parents never point it out. I have yet to go on a killing rampage.

yet, being the operative word

What are you trying to say?

click to expand

nuffing

Profile picture of aquapiscescusp
@aquapiscescusp
14 Years10,000+ Posts

Posted by GetMisted

Posted by aquapiscescusp

Posted by GetMisted

Posted by aquapiscescusp

Posted by GetMisted

Posted by LetltB

Posted by aquapiscescusp
children's desensitization to violence is rampant :: this should be factored in

It's a shame parents don't take the time to teach the difference. ESPECIALLY since the experts have been pointing that fact out for over a decade regarding video games and the digital world...

My parents never point it out. I have yet to go on a killing rampage.

yet, being the operative word

What are you trying to say?

nuffing

Stuck in traffic again?

click to expand

If you are ever going to lie--again-- on my behalf, make it good.

Profile picture of Scenic
@Scenic
14 Years5,000+ Posts

I didn't read anything but the first post to this but maybe I can contribute a little. The area this occurred is close to where I live. There's a guy in one of my classes who's father is the chief of police for Murrysville. He said his father told him the kid was being bullied. Bullying is a common issue among young people and sure, parents can usually see some signs that their kid might be bullied. However, parents can do very little to stop bullying and most parents probably don't even try to do much. So, sure, the parents could probably tell something was off, but they would probably think he's going through some tough times rather than he's going to stab a bunch of people.

If you care to know, the guy also said the crime went down like this: The night before the kid was threatened. He came to school with a knife. Before all the buses even got there in the morning he turned to his friend and stabbed him. He stabbed his other friend, too. He pretended he was part of confused crowd and would scream and act scared to, then turn around and stab someone else. I can only repeat what my classmate said. But it's pretty fucked up, either way.

Profile picture of LetltB
@LetltB
13 Years5,000+ Posts

Posted by Scenic
I didn't read anything but the first post to this but maybe I can contribute a little. The area this occurred is close to where I live. There's a guy in one of my classes who's father is the chief of police for Murrysville. He said his father told him the kid was being bullied. Bullying is a common issue among young people and sure, parents can usually see some signs that their kid might be bullied. However, parents can do very little to stop bullying and most parents probably don't even try to do much. So, sure, the parents could probably tell something was off, but they would probably think he's going through some tough times rather than he's going to stab a bunch of people.

The problem with some parents today is they think parenting stops when their kid walks out the door to go to school and their responsibility stops not realizing the school cannot keep tabs on every single thing that goes on in the hallway, bathrooms, school yard when the kids are off to the side in groups. When you SHOW the school you CARE about your kid, and want to communicate as a partnership they take you seriously. I have teachers tell me all the time, there's some students they've had the first few years of high school and NEVER met the parents. Speaks volumes.

Profile picture of lnana04
@lnana04
15 Years5,000+ Posts

What is wrong with our coping skills these days? Bullying has been around for ages. Why go on a killing spree because someone talked about you?

Also why is it so hard for parents to teach their kids how to treat and talk to other people? Why do we even have bullies? They start young too, which is a shame smh.