A recently released study proves statistically what many of us have been thinking for a while – today’s college students are more self-centered than their predecessors.

It is of course, the right, if not the obligation, for each generation to point out the following generation lacks the work ethic, manners, patriotism, etc that theirs did. However, this one intuitively strikes me as correct. We have worked so hard for so long to reduce personal responsibility, to create a sense that every child is extraordinary and that every feeling is justified and should be acted upon that they have come to believe it’s true. Rational people know this is not true. Personal responsibility is good thing, the backbone of a functioning society, not every child is extraordinary (by definition this is impossible) and not every feeling is a good one.

There is a story in today’s Los Angeles Times that perfectly illustrates just how far we have sunk. Elizabeth Venable was cited recently for refusing to stop cursing at the Orange County airport. She was not protesting the Iraq war, illegal immigration, global warming or even college tuition rates at UC Riverside (which must be so proud to have her as a graduate student), but was simply exchanging obscenities with a friend while leaving the baggage area. When asked by a police officer to stop, being reminded that it was illegal, inappropriate and that families and children were present, she preceded to curse even more loudly and at the officer.

She has now filed suit, claiming that her First Amendment rights have been violated. After years of raising children to have concerns regarding no one but themselves, teaching them that the ‘right” to do something makes it right and treating the First Amendment as an excuse for all deviant, boorish and offensive behaviors, we shouldn’t be surprised. However, we should be angered, outraged and ready to take a stand.

Elizabeth Venable is a product of her parents, our society and our education system and all of us should be ashamed at the poor job we have done. Obviously and unfortunately, she is not capable of shame or understanding just how wrong her actions are, so she needs to be taught. Let’s hope this case is thrown out of court and she is actually held responsible for her actions. It will be a step in the right direction, both for her and for us.