The Interpreted Rock

By Stephen C. Schultz Over the last 25 years, I have noticed a shift in the youth my organization works with and in the struggles these young people encounter. What I am seeing is not merely symptomatic of a rebellious teen or the burdens that accompany mental illness. It seems many students and families are headed down a path with very few options for changing course. What I’m sensing is that our society, in general, is struggling in many ways. What I see happening with our youth is symptomatic of larger social ills. What I’m observing touches the very heart of identity —the essence of who we are. It raises the question of who we are as a society and who we are as individuals. As I work with teens who find themselves involved in dishonest behavior, unhealthy relationships, and entitled attitudes, there is one common thread that runs through every family situation. Throughout the teen’s stages of childhood and adolescence, these young people have moved away from life’s ta...

By Stephen C. Schultz As the father of four, I have always been amazed at the time and effort that goes into teaching your children. If your experience is anything like mine, there have been instructions given, reminders mentioned and sometimes an elevated tone in my voice just to get my kids to do the simplest of requests. I'm sure I wasn't much different when I was younger. I remember summertime as a kid. Sunny days were far and few between in Eugene, Oregon! My dad would have a list of chores for us kids to do written on a piece of paper and left on the dining room table. We were supposed to have the chores done before he got home from work. It seems that every day consisted of riding our bikes, playing "stunt man" on the stairs or building forts in the living room with the couches, blankets and pillows! Rarely were the chores our top priority...until about an hour before he got home! Then, we would scurry around the house to clean up. We would race out...