"Catch me outside, how about that?"
By now, everyone has probably heard or seen Danielle Bregoli, the 13 year old girl behind this infamous phrase. She was featured on The Dr. Phil Show because of her outrageous and delinquent behavior. She stole cars, credit cards, and ran away from home several times. After the show aired, she became a big hit on social media. Instead of being reprimanded for her behavior, she was rewarded for it.
She has her own clothing line. Memes are popping up of her catchphrase all over Facebook and Twitter. She even appeared in a music video for rapper Kodak Black. She has over 3 million followers on her Instagram account.
That's not all...
She has not changed her behavior ONE bit since appearing on Dr. Phil. The show that was supposed to help her understand the consequences for her actions, has instead turned her into a celebrity. Since appearing on the show, she has been in not one, but TWO fights, one of which landed her a lifetime ban from Spirit Airlines. She has even joked about punching photographers who keep following her in Los Angeles. She has also made threats towards other people.
Sadly, this is the reality in today's society. Many children and teens are rewarded for their delinquent behavior instead of being given the consequences. Adults give children the power little by little, and before they know it, the child will have all the power. The adults are too afraid to step in and be the adult in the child's life, thinking that if they are their friend, they will be on their good side. Long story short: the mentality is "spare the rod, spoil the child." That is, spoiling them to the point of domination and control. In the most severe of cases? Unruliness.
If we continue to raise uncivilized youth, guess how many Danielle Bregoli's there will be? Guess how far our crime rates will go up? What will we teach other future generations? That it's okay to fight when someone does something that offends you? That it's okay to disrespect authority? That you will be made famous or given an award of some sort for being unruly?
STOP MAKING DANIELLE BREGOLI FAMOUS. You are rewarding her for her unruly behavior instead of getting her the help she needs. Danielle Bregoli does not need remixes of her Dr. Phil appearance. She does not need memes circulating of her on the Internet. She does not need to appear in a music video. She needs to get help for her behavioral issues.
In closing, we need to stop rewarding youth for their unruly behavior and teach them the consequences of their bad choices. This kind of behavior is unacceptable and does not represent America, its values, or future.
