February 2025, Anyway…

Is it any wonder that teens spend their time hidden away in front of screens? What is there to do? Where are they to go? Such a vast majority of the community events take place at bars, pubs, wineries, breweries, and supper clubs. They are excluded from live music events due to the presence of alcohol, and should they play their music too loud at home, they have a noise disturbance called on them by jerks and Karens.

They are chastised for wandering about with presuppositions of hooliganism. They get glares from parents of small children should they hang out at the park playgrounds. They have no bowling alley, or laser tag, or paint ball, or rock wall climbing, or skate park, or go-cart track or local movie theater. Even if they did, how many could afford any of those activities? The fields, in warm weather, are dominated by recreation leagues and High School team practices. They can't even hang out at the Janseville mall without adult supervision. The Parker YMCA is almost a half mile out of town. The school kicks them out as soon as the last bell rings unless they have some adult sponsored club they are in.

Event after event is scheduled and planned for small children and adults, but little is done with teens in mind, save for some events by our fantastic Milton Public Library. Be honest; does our society seem to even want them to come out of the basement? From behind their screens? -Sero