It is hard to place the blame on anyone is particular, because everyone is to blame..From the school, parents, teachers, the system itself, and the kids...
I think kids of all ages need more supervision more than ever.. I am not saying we should place them in bubble wrap. Kids need to be taught that actions have consequences. Unfortunately Hollywood, the media, and even the internet haven't helped...
Unfortunately, in alot of families, both parents work, and the kids are left unsupervised and get into mischief.
Parents should delegate chores.
I was growing up, I came straight home(unless I had Girl scouts, theatre rehearsal, or field hockey practice), I had to do my homework, while it was fresh in my mind. We had chores, vacuuming, raking, shoveling snow, getting our clothes ready for the next day, tidy our rooms, feed cats, etc.....
When I was 17, I had a summer job at a nursing home, then I had jobs after that....
I am sure alot of you had lives similar to this...