[independentmind]

The snotty nosed little brats you see running amok in public are usually the spawn of selfish, lazy, morons.

In my experience, the type of child you describe is most likely from a family where both parents work away from home in full-time jobs. Getting children to behave is a difficult task for parents who are often exhausted. Bribery is often the preferred method of discipline.

[ArrogantBustard]

Bribery is often the preferred method of discipline.

Discipline means teaching. Bribery, as you use the term, means teaching children that if they act badly, they will get goodies. (Junior starts acting up. Mommy says if you stop, I'll give you X. Junior behaves decently for a while, then he thinks "If I act up again, I'll get even more goodies. So he starts up again. Repeat vicious cycle. Lesson to parents: don't start it in the first place.) I cannot think of a more disastrously wrong thing to teach a child. The two income household is often not a necessity, unless you think having all the latest video games, fad toys, etc. is "necessary". Not that anyone at FR would do that...

AB

[discostu]

People that use the job thing are just excuse mongering, and you shouldn't help them. I was raised by a single mother who worked full time. It's not that hard to teach a child discipline and manners, you just have to be willing to put out a bit of effort. It took me one solid spanking (1 of about 4 I got in my entire childhood) to learn not to throw tantrums in stores (oh and some really ugly clothes, clothes for the new school year was the reason we went to the store, so after the spanking and taking me home mom went back and got some of the nastiest clothes ever made, I couldn't wait to outgrow that stuff).

If people aren't going to dedicate the time and energy they shouldn't have kids. If they've had kids then they damn well better find the time and energy it takes to raise them right.