What do you think of these words? My thoughts follow.
Certainly his words apply to some teenagers — namely, privileged kids who grew up like me, blessed with an intact family and an actual yard to mow who waste their lives away. But that’s not the family background that many troubled youth who stand in juvenile court come from.
The problem I see with the judge’s advice is that it ignores the real problem. The judge offers a list of productive tasks to do — as if troubled teens get into trouble because they are bored or have no where to go. The real solution is not providing better places to go and better things to do. The real solution is providing teenagers with better relationships to positively influence the kind of people they will become.
The judge might be more helpful if he rolled up his sleeves and volunteered as a mentor, big brother, etc. instead of just giving a lecture from his bench. Anyone can do that. The real heroes are all those youth workers who are investing themselves in the lives of youth today — coaches, teachers, mentors, youth pastors, youth group volunteers, etc. Such people instill the values and character traits that the judge so longs to see in youth.
Your thoughts?
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Jeremy L. Berg 
My thoughts? Amen. To you, not the judge.
I just happened to find this blog for the first time, but here’s my comment.
Hmm. Me thinks you’ve jumped to unsubstantiated conclusions about the judge.
Did you notice that the judge “regularly deals with youth”? I think it’s allowable for a respected person with experience to speak his advice. Isn’t that what you do in your last paragraph?
How do you know the judge wasn’t actively doing the things what you think would “be more helpful”?
Do you personally know what efforts the judge had during his life for youth before he made this statement?
Do you demand that one person be “invested” in youth 100 (or 1000) different ways before he has a legitimate voice?
I think the judge offered some very good, positive advice.
But – hey – go ahead – pick him apart if that trips your trigger. ( which I suppose I just did to you)
Peace out!