Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Question about severe emotionaldistburbance/mentalillness in cohousing

[Joanie Connors (jvcphd]

In rereading this dialogue, I realized that what I said did not address the 
situation at the heart of Diana's question - the troubled teenager. My 
apologies!

First, I agree with Rob, a good family counselor would be an excellent place 
to start.

Second, our culture has an epidemic of parents who are clueless about their 
teenagers. Throw money at them, let them stay out all night or in their 
rooms on the internet doing Lord knows what and then hate the person who 
tells them that their kid is in trouble.

The boy in Diana's story is clearly in trouble, with behavior that is 
escalating in destructiveness and violence. The list of behaviors that Diana 
included clearly indicate a growing danger from this boy.

When you know someone is a danger to others, as this boy clearly is, you 
have to act and accept that the parents may not like it. When parents don't 
act like parents, the burden falls on the community.

Diana, please express my support of the actions of those in the community 
who asked for action to stop the boy, and tell them not to second guess 
themselves so much.

I still hope these cases can be collected, to guide other communities down 
this difficult path.