Strong morals and family

values show up in households

throughout America, while

in others’, neglect of such factors can

destroy a child’s future. According to

Licensed Psychologist, Marriage and

Family Therapist of Dallas, Dr. Karla

Hale believes children need more than

freedom for security.

“Children need boundaries to

function in a healthy way,” Dr. Hale

said. “Studies have shown that children

without clear rules and limits are more

insecure. Guidelines give kids a sense

of safety; even though they frequently

test them to see if the rules are set.”

Parents can set that specific sense,

but Dr. Hale believes teenagers have

thoughts as to why parents place

boundaries. Though they may say

otherwise, children find structure in

rules.

“They will express outwardly a

dislike for rules and guidelines,” Dr.

Hale said. “But especially adolescents

know that if parents are not setting

any boundaries for them, it’s because

the parents might not ‘care enough’ to

do so.”

Rules may not always be the deciding

piece in how a child feels about their relationship with their parents. The

presence of family values and morals

can have just as big of an affect.

“Parents are who kids spend most

of their time around,” sophomore

Ryan Stultz said. “Good or bad, they

will shape what their kids believe and

follow. Like father, like son.”

School Resource Officer Vernon

Doggett reports the transforming

of teenage minds occurs at home

and inevitably transfers to the

school environment, no matter the

circumstances.

“If kids don’t learn good morals and

values at home, they shouldn’t come

to school,” Officer Doggett said. “If

children’s parents are fighting, they

will be more inclined to bring that

attitude with them to school.”

For Officer Doggett, other factors

besides parental encouragement help

decide who students will become as

they grow older.

“The friends kids hang out with

affect them just as much as their

relationship with their parents,” Officer

Doggett said.

For senior Brant Russell, similar

thought processes and well-taught

lessons have strengthened his

relationship with his family.

“For the most part, we see eye-to-eye,” Brant said. “There are times when

they may be a little too strict and we

may butt heads, but it’s always for the

better and it never lasts long.”

For Brant, that friendship built

between him and his parents affected

more than their relationship as shown

by his involvement in the school’s pop

vocal ensemble, Mane Attraction.

“When I was in early elementary

school, I would cry whenever I got

on stage,” Brant said. “My parents

encouraged me to get out there and

make myself known. I’ve never been

the same person since.”

But for senior Ashley Quine,

differing religious and moral beliefs

played a major role in she and her

parents’ opposing ideas.

“I have an extremely open relationship

with my parents,” Ashley said. “For

a while, my dad couldn’t accept my

atheism..., but a trip to rehabilitation

after an attempted suicide opened my

dad’s eyes to how hard it was to not

have him accept me.”

Although, Ashley explains beliefs

created the major barrier between her

and her parents, her parents’ love for

her continued despite their obvious

differences.

“My mom is a Christian and loves

me for me,” Ashley said. “My dad is

a strict southern baptist, but loves

me anyway. I am an atheist and I love

everyone (regardless of what they believe).”

Ashley has followed the example her

parents set through their openness and

acceptance of her moral values.

“My parents have made me very

accepting to other’s beliefs and

opinions,” Ashley said. “(My parents)

love me unconditionally and we don’t

have any problems with each other.

Life couldn’t be any better.”

While some individuals find

acceptance with both parents, some,

however, don’t always have that same

luxury.

“Parents should be more accepting

and have true unconditional love,”

junior Melanie Goodrich said. “They

should support and love their children

no matter what.”

According to Dr. Hale, sometimes

tough love is necessary for the proper

development of a child.

“Kids who have freedom to choose

for themselves at home, within the

framework of clear boundaries, learn

about choices and consequences,”

Dr. Hale said. “They also learn how

to solve the problems they make for

themselves.”

Though parents and their children

may have different opinions and

beliefs on various matters, according

to Ashley though, one emotional need

rises above the rest.

“I’m loving and caring because of

the way my parents raised me,” Ashley

said. “I think they (parents) are an

extremely important part of a child’s

life. Love is what matters the most.”