I am not saying that ALL kids are inept slackers, I see many young people that do try to dress and act appropriately in the environment they are in. I have also read a number of bright, thoughtful posts from young people here on this site. My beef is there is just not enough of them arround and that worries me.

I am not blaming this all on the kids by the way, many were raised by self-indulgent Baby Boomers, who have the attitude the world simply "owes them" for just showing up and have passed that on to their offspring.

I think that a proper dress code can go a long way to bringing about an environment of courtesy and professionalism to young people. It is NOT THE SOLE ANSWER to youth issues but it can help, especially in areas that are impoverished and kids cannot afford the latest nike this, addias that or abecrombe and fitch outfits.

I have seen sucessful outreach programs that help parents pay and maintain school uniforms. Many struggling parents are grateful for them, after all it is one less thing that they have to worry about not being able to afford.

Just remember that young people are in school for a reason, the school's primary misson is life training for the real world . Schools are not "night clubs" Kids should be treated no differently than anybody working as an adult in a professional environment. Raise the expections and standards for performance, and the majority will work harder and ultimately become more productive and effective citizens.

There are some who think I am being a little hard here and maybe I am but, folks, teens and youth of today or going to have to become more and more competative than ever in the workplace to make a good living. Or as columnist Thomas Friedman once said to his daughter. "Study hard, apply yourself, or you will find your job went to some kid in India, who did ."

Just something to think about in a bigger context.