Whatever happened to personal responsibility?

It wasn't until I turned 30, that I truly understood the meaning "personal responsiblity". Oh sure, I've always been considered "the responsible one", but when you only have yourself to worry about, you don't think too much of other peoples' responsiblity. What I am learning as a teacher (wife and mother), is that most young people have no idea what personal responsiblity means. There are some that are great -- you never have to tell them who, what, when, where, why or how. They are always two steps ahead. The rest expect you to hold their hand and be the one to follow through for them. Did I miss the boat? It there a law or some code written somewhere that states young people don't have to follow through and take responsibility for their actions, their learning, and their future? Maybe I'm just getting old. Perhaps I expect too much from middle school students. Perhaps some deep rooted regret plays out as some kind of "do as I ask, not as I did and messed up" psych problem of mine.

Is is unreasonable to expect students to turn in QUALITY work ON TIME? Is is unreasonable to expect them to ask questions when they are stumped (instead of putting it aside and giving up)? Is is unreasonable to expect them to actively participate in class and not goof off?

Yes and no. While it is not unreasonable for me to expect them to meet these high standards, I must remember they are ultimately just children. Children want to laugh and play. To dream, and be free from drudgery. They want to love and be loved. They simply want to live life as if there was no tomorrow to worry about. Their world revolves around happiness.

Perhaps I can tap into their need for laughing, playing, dreaming, happiness and love. Perhaps I can use what makes them so wonderful (and so frustrating at the same time) to help them become wonderful young adults. If I could only harness their liveliness, passions, and ways of thinking, I might be able to create a "cool" class they can't get enough of... perhaps one day.