Panel Discusses Self-Destructive Behavior in Teens

A diverse panel of educators, police officers and mental health professionals gathered at Seekonk High School on Thursday to discuss the motivations that cause teenagers to engage in self-destructive behaviors.

The audience appeared to be almost completely made up of parents and teachers. Some students were present, but most were working audio-video equipment so to broadcast the presentation or fielding questions in the main office of the high school from television viewers.

"This is your time, to listen to our experts and ask questions. We're very fortunate to have a very diverse, invested group of panelists," Superintendent Madeline Meyer told those in attendance Thursday.

The panelists spoke candidly. According to officers, peer pressure sometimes causes violent behavior in teens. Groups of students often congregate after school to watch their peers throw punches.

"And the alcohol and the drugs don't help," said Officer Kandarian.

And according to Police Chief Ronald Charron, ever since Massachusetts decriminalized marijuana, it's harder for officers to prosecute drug law violators. (See video to the right.)

"It's frustrating for the officers who are just trying to do the right thing...We can no longer seach a car [based on] smell," he said.

The diverse group included high school personnel including Seekonk High School Principle Marcia McGovern, Assistant Principle Chris Jones, and Arlene Bosco, director of student personnel services. Members from the Seekonk Police Department included, Chief of Police Ron Charron, school resource officer Steve Kandarian and probation officer George Haywood. Elected officials included School Committee member Fran Creamer and Selectman Bill Rice.

Also present were Elder of the Godspeed Fellowship Rich Fulton and psychologists Dr. Robert Hayden and Dr. Barry Plummer. Dr. Harold Devine served as the moderator of the panel.

"The adolescent brain is a work in progress, it is by no means mature," said Hayden when the panel was asked why teens behave in a risky manner. "The brain doesn't put the brakes on," the psychologist added.

"They have to figure out for themselves that it's risky, and unfortunately that's dangerous," said Plummer on the same subject. After the initial explanation was completed by the psychologists, panelists spent much of the remaining time trying to understand what causes self-destructive behavior. 

The finger was pointed at poor parenting.

"There is a lot of modeling by parents that is not positive. Parents drink and drive, they drive recklessly, they do these things they don't want to see their children do," said Creamer when asked about possible causes for these behaviors in teens.

Media influences were also to blame. But the responsibility falls back on parents to regulate, according to panelists.

"What we really need to do is engage our children," said Fulton when asked about media influences. He added, "Listen to that song with them, watch Jersey Shore with them and ask them 'What are you getting out of this?'"

Before the night was over, both the school department and police department made pleas to parents for help with these problems. 

"As a police department, we need parental help. If something doesn't seem right, call us, call the school," said Chief Charron. This was the Police Chief's conclusion after telling a series of anecdotes about underaged drinking at gatherings in Seekonk. He explained that at times parents have been very helpful, but at others they have obstructed police.

"I think parents that do come forward need to be supported," said Jones, who added that the question he often hears when a student's misbehavior is exposed by another parent is, "Why is that parent reporting a child that is not their own?"

When the evening concluded, there were still as many questions as answers. Dr. Devine closed the forum by inviting everyone to attend the next meeting in the series.

On May 19, Dr. Stephen Wallace, author of Reality Gap, will speak on the same topic at Seekonk High School.

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