I believe the children are our future (or watch what you say to the wee ones)

At work today, I overheard a mother tell her child who couldn't have been any older than three that "you better shut up if you know what's good for you." I have also seen other examples of parents talking harshly to their (other small) children. What type of message is this sending to the child? How is this going to affect the child once they're old enough to attend school? Talking to my aunt and cousin the other night, the results from this type of behavior is clear; these children learn to only respond when threatened.

I see it everyday when I'm at work, kids who are more interested in going on myspace than doing their homework and who show no regard to authority figures. These groups of kids have no definition of consequences because I feel that some parents have focused too hard on their own goals and being the kid's friend rather than enforcing discipline. Also, parents are choosing to let TV raise their kids rather than actual people. I'm not saying that there's a problem with this; I watched lots of TV when I was a kid but when you sit a kid in front of BET's 106th and Park after school everyday, what do you think is going to happen. There are children in kindergarten that can do the soulja boy dance but can't even spell their name. I think there's a major problem with this but until you find a way to make parents care about what things they expose them to, things will keep getting worse.