High School Kids should change their behaviors

On April 5, 2018, just after I got off from work, I took the 3 bus to Frankford Transportation Center. It was packed, and several passengers stepped off the bus at Cecil B Moore and Broad Street. Oncoming passengers waited ordinarily to get on the bus with either SEPTA key card or bus pass. Finally, the passengers boarded the bus, paid in cash while rowdy high school kids from Strawberry Mansion High School (approximately 6 boys) sat in the back of the bus, acting up like wild animals.

Why did they act up?

From my article, “How to become a moralistic character on a public transportation system?“, Kids do not know their expected/unexpected behaviors when they are out in a community. Based on the observation of septa passengers’ behavior, I conclude that some kids misbehave or think they can act up because their friends can fit in, did not know the behavior is acceptable or had a lack of parental support. There are reasons why parents are unwilling to teach kids some moral and ethical behaviors in the community. Stressful working parents usually don’t have time to talk to the kids about behaviors in the community. Come on parents, spend some time teaching kids good lessons. I mean they are all grown-ups, and they should behave like grown-ups.

I blazoned, “They are not typical high school kids; instead, they act like little kids (preschoolers) who needs parental support. These behaviors are unacceptable. I mean they are like 4, not 14.”

Unfortunately, parents did not take time to teach kids proper lessons who want to ride a SEPTA bus to school or for recreational purposes. Ironically, riding a SEPTA is a privilege; but going to the school is compulsory. However, if they broke the rules, they are not permitted to ride a SEPTA bus. They will lose the Student’s Transpass Status for delinquent behaviors. Then, they will have their parents to drive them or take a yellow bus to school. Parents are profoundly concerned about their reactions. Finally, they will imperil their future like getting a job, going to college, traveling abroad, getting a loan to buy a house, etc.

We don’t want that to happen like other nostalgic distractions between fellow passengers and a SEPTA driver. The passengers became uncomfortable, and the driver became distracted. We want to keep the noise down. Also, we need a comfortable bus ride, not a rough bus ride so they can enjoy their journey. Passengers need to relax from work days too.

Relaxation from 9-11 hour school/work, sometimes 12-hour shift: I was at Temple University from Monday to Friday and sometimes on weekends, exhausted by tedious study and work schedules. People, please, give yourself relax and recharge. Do not act up; you’re grown up. People will have weird thoughts.

At the bus turns left on 7th Street, more passengers boarded the bus as 6 other high school boys started to sing loudly. They pointed me and asked startlingly, “did you like girls?”

Woah!

Rolling my eyes, I did not sufficiently answer, so I literally shooked my head and turned away toward the front of the bus. I was very uncomfortable around bad guys onboard.

Others laughed and cursed under their breath. They thought it was a joke to act up when a little boy sat down, taking a short nap. Then a little boy also heard their foul language.

Rowdy kids think it is fun to acting upon the SEPTA transportation system.

I do not think it is funny; it is very offensive to say it around young children.

I waited until the bus approached on Berks Street. The boy who asked me got off the bus and finally, I took a seat.

I sat next to a young boy, who was napping. I listened to music, did not know there were be consequences of shouting, yelling, screaming, and fighting on the bus. It was very distracting to both passengers and a bus driver. These kids did not know the effects of the behaviors. Consequently, if parents don’t discuss kids about “hidden curriculum on public transportation and the community,” kids will commit other delinquent behaviors, e.g., commit other criminal behavior, which in turn, will impact on their future.

I was too very uncomfortable on the bus, and every day, when I came home from Temple at around 5-6, kids were doing the same thing, and I believe kids were from Strawberry Mansion High School. They usually don’t rely on acceptance behaviors in social settings. They are called “knuckleheads.” These behaviors are not acceptable because it does not only distract other fellow passengers and bus drivers. Drivers’ distraction can also be hazardous to the safety of the bus operation and will subject to crashes. Ouch!

“Kids, keep it down. Do not yell or scream. It is okay to have fun but keep it to yourself.” I did not literally say anything.

I usually do my homework and study if kids are not there to tattletale.

Reasons why kids are still acting up inappropriately:

1. They think it’s acceptable to “fit-in” with other friends.
2. They believe “acting up” will get away with the stressful situations.
3. They think they won’t get caught.
4. They don’t know what’s acceptable vs. unacceptable behaviors in various communities.
5. They like to have “too much fun” ~ Excitement.

There is no excuse not teaching kids about behaviors on the bus; it is imperative to talk to your children about the acceptable behavior in various communities. I mean that kids, young or old, need to change their behaviors, so passengers don’t distract or disturb others and to land themselves in hot water. We don’t want their kids to fall into a disastrous future plan, e.g., a criminal record for life.

When I started my first fall semester at the University of Arizona, I came up with the categories of Public Transportation’s behavior level.

Parent and your children’s responsibility: (A mini-lesson)

It is our responsibility to take some time to teach your children about the level of acceptable/unacceptable behavior(s). The Behavior level is called a SUAMI Level): SUAMI is a Malay term: husband (husband is a leader, and his job is to teach moral lessons to women and women quickly applies based on Malay culture and customs based on ethical behavior. It is based on what is acceptance differentiate with frown-upon behavior. We should know these moral behaviors when we were in school, and we need to go over the level of behavior based on various places/situations.

• Level 1 Behavior: Standard
• Level 2 Behavior: Unexception
• Level 3 Behavior: Anomalous
• Level 4 Behavior: Misdemeanor
• Level 5 Behavior: Interdiction

Standard – Behaviors that make others feel good about themselves.

Unexception – Behaviors that still not obligatory to passengers, which is less observe. It is a bare minimum acceptable behavior.

Anomalous – Behaviors that make other uncomfortable or have weird thoughts.

Misdemeanor – Behaviors that are disturbing, a minor criminal offense, and/or can subject to sanction/arrest/detention.

Interdiction – Behaviors that are authoritatively prohibited and subject to arrest/detention according to “code of conduct.”

Let’s review my article.

Note: Level 1 and Level 2 are acceptable behavior while Level 3, Level 4, and Level 5 are unacceptable behavior and some are unlawful.

Here is each example of Public Transportation behaviors in each SUAMI level.

Level 1 Behavior: Standard

• Yield seats to elderly, disabled, pregnant, other passengers in need
• Let other people get off before step on the vehicle
• Have a neutral facial expression
• Wait ordinarily (Queue in line) to get [something]
• Arm’s length – unless it’s crowded
• Let elderly, pregnant, passengers with kids, disabled board first

Level 2 Behavior: Unexception

• Eat a snack or drink a bottled water*
• Read a book
• Listen to music with headphones
• Take a nap if long ride from home
• Play with stress toys – no provocative toys
• Write a story on your notebook

*Some public transportation systems won’t allow to eat or drink

Level 3 Behavior: Anomalous

• Picks a body
• Talk to self
• Dance around
• Eat prepared food or drink lidless containers – unless you are on Amtrak or Megabus
• Feet on the seat
• Run to catch a bus
• Excessive noise in which it does not disturbs others
• Litter*
• Use potty mouth
• Whine, cry, tantrums, wail
• Unauthorized use of musical instruments**

*In some transportation services, litter can be either a fine or an arrest for major offense

**Need a permission to use of musical instruments 

Exception:

Little kids can whine, cry, play with their toys, etc.

Level 4 Behavior: Misdemeanor

• Panhandle aggressively
• Trespass onto private transit’s property
• Excessive noise in which it disturbs drivers and the vehicle
• Scream/wail in which distracts others
• Smoke anywhere on transit’s property
• Loiter, solicit

Level 5 Behavior: Interdiction

• Fight with others
• Assault someone
• Graffiti, vandalism, damage/destroy property – you can graffiti on your personal property.
• Illegal procession of weapon
• Threat someone, e.g., verbal, physical, sexual, emotional, financial
• Hate speech, racial slurs, discrimination

See? These behaviors will significantly affect other fellow commuters and other passengers so keep in mind that you are still subject to its contract. When you take SEPTA, you abide by the rule of SEPTA’s contract. If you violate SEPTA’s code of conduct, the SEPTA will notify you and/or get off the transportation system. It is vital for all kids why lessons about acceptable and unacceptable behaviors are critical when kids are taking public transportation to and from school. We don’t want kids to fall into the wrong crowd because it will impact on their future benefits, such as job opportunities, loans with lowest interest rate, travel opportunities, job benefits, etc. Kids must demonstrate their knowledge of laws and ethical values. Interestingly, your kids will be likely to retake public transit in the future for recreational and educational purposes.