I liked this one. Just as soon as the kid turns off the iPod and comes home from hanging out at the mall or doing dope with friends, there might be time for homework. This is so especially sensitive !!
Back when I was in highschool, I played baseball, was involved in theatre, and took part in many, many activities beyond school. And that was all in addition to the homework.
Summer was a nice time for a reprieve from all that. That being said, my schools always assigned some sort of summer reading assignment. It took me all of about three hours during my summer to complete.
I agree that the kid and his parents should get over it. That doesn't mean that all highschoolers who feel overburdened with school and extracurricular activities are simply hanging out smoking dope 24/7. I sure as hell didn't have the time to do that.
It's more likely that the kid is just a pretty normal, average person who whined a little about having a summer assignment. The parents are probably the loonies in this equation.
I don't think you realize how busy kids are today.
I graduated from HS in 2002, and my only non-class activity was the school newspaper.
Yet, I routinely had to stay up until midnight to finish homework because I had 4-5 hours every night.
Add a job to that and you may not get to bed until 2 a.m. every night.