When Things Go Wrong
Uploaded by eriknav on Feb 17, 2004
In today’s world it is truly tragic to see a twelve-year-old child commit suicide. But underneath it all, it is important to understand the real meaning of why someone would do such a thing. Many things can trigger suicide but in Steve’s case his parents were the real people to blame for his death. As parents Charles and Sue were supposed to have an understanding for their children, they should allow them the necessary space to do and grow within what they enjoy; and, most of all they should have taken the time to really know their children.
First of all, Charles and Sue, as parents should’ve understood the feelings of Steve. Steve’s father shouldn’t have pushed his son too much in the direction that only he wanted Steve to go in. I think it was Charles obligation as a father to support the decisions his son was making; after all Steve did have a mind of his own. An example from the reading would be that last fall, Steve’s father told him to play a fall sport “I was thinking in terms of football,” says Charles Dailey. In that situation Steve wanted more to play soccer, but since his father was the athletic director at St. Catherine’s Steve was forced into playing football. Sue Dailey on the other hand should of at least tried to speak up for her son. Sue was the type of mother who waited for her children to feel at ease with her, she should have been the one who made an effort to approach Steve and confront him of any problems. (Quoted in Meyer 243)
Not only should Charles and Sue have understood the feelings of Steve, but also they should have given Steve his space to do and grow within what he enjoyed. In the reading it says, “Steve preferred being alone. He worked on scout projects or watched color television.” Every child is going to enjoy doing something of their own personal choice; this gives them the chance to express themselves in their own way. An example from the reading Steve’s father says.
“This year I think he wanted to play soccer again. But I told him that there wasn’t any way, because in high school, well, he’s just not going to be a soccer man . . . because...