I Love Kids, But...

I don't really like the kids I see out in public.  As an employee at a public venue, I get the opportunity to observe all kinds of kids, some visiting with their parents, some visiting with chaperons/caregivers.  There aren't that many that seem to be behaving themselves, and while that's probably not that surprising, what is surprising is how the parents/chaperon/caregiver reacts to the unruly/out-of-control behavior.  More often than not, there's no reaction at all, and a blind eye is turned toward the child.  Other times it's laughed at and even, perhaps unintentionally, encouraged.  Yesterday I was at the exhibit that features the Sloth Bear (one of my favorites) and a group of 5 or 6 boys and their 'adults' (these guys looked to be in their early 20's) came running up to the exhibit, screaming and yelling.  While I understand that kids will yell and scream when they're excited and having fun, I think it's important for their 'adults' to remind them that not every place is OK to scream in.  The zoo is one of those places, as the animals are sensitive to noise.  The kids all took a look at the bear, and then headed out...but not before one of the boys THREW something into the exhibit...at the bear.  I was so appalled, both at the child's actions but also at the lack of concern shown by the caregiver...I think he was more concerned that the kid was wasting whatever he'd thrown into the exhibit, rather than concern that the boy had thrown something at the bear.  It is going to be really interesting to see what this generation grows up to be..I, for one, am more than a little nervous.