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In todays 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 Steves 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 shouldve understood the feelings of Steve. Steves father shouldnt 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, Steves 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.
Catherines 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 Steves father says. This year I think he wanted to play soccer again. But I told him that there wasnt any way, because in high school, well, hes just not going to be a soccer man...
because hes plain to big, and never was real fast. I still had the hopes that this year he would finally found out, with size on his side, that he would become more aggressive. In this situation Charles Dailey didnt believe in his son, and even if he did he didnt make any effort to make Steve feel that it was okay for him to make any choice that he wanted. Charles Dailey should of at least given Steve the chance to prove himself on the soccer field, then if Charles sensed that Steve wasnt doing well on the soccer field thats when he could have suggested another sport such as football. (Quoted in Meyer 245) Last and most importantly, as parents, Sue and Charles should have taken the time to get to know Steve and what his purpose was with his life.
They could have pursued a better parent child relationship by communicating more with each other. Communication doesnt only involve talking with one another but actually hearing out the other persons point. In Steves case he tried to voice and express his opinions but his parents didnt hear him. An example from the reading would be when Steve came home from school and called his father to tell him that he wrecked his bike.
Steve also added that he might of broke his hand because it was pretty sore. Charles Dailey didnt think it was all that bad, or his son would have mentioned it before. He and Steve talked about the bicycle. Steves father remembers saying, without raising his voice: Well take a look at it, and if you broke it that means youre going to have to pay for it. Steve then added that he didnt want to go to baseball practice but the response from Charles was Well, you know, I think you ought to go, because youve missed here a few times, and if youre going to be part of the team youve got to go to practices, too. It is situations like these that parents must think twice about what they say.
In this case Charles once again didnt hear out his son, it should have been obvious when Steve said he didnt want to go to practice that he truly meant it. Parents should understand that everything will not go their way. As children grow up they will develop a mind of their own and have interests of their own. Its hard to keep pushing a child do something they totally dislike. (Meyer 246) In conclusion, Steves death was a very tragic situation. If only his parents had given him the time of day to listen to him and to understand his feelings, if only his father gave him the freedom to do what he enjoyed, if only his mother wouldve stood up for him. There may have been many situations that could of possibly avoided his death, but because his parents didnt hear him out Steve is now a memory.
Works Cited Page Meyer, Richard. A Suicide at Twelve: Why Steve? English Skills 6 th Ed. John Langan, New York: McGraw-Hill, 1998.
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Research essay sample on Charles Dailey Didnt Parents Didnt Hear Steve
