Iowa's youth deluged by elders' new rules

If 1950s film icon James Dean were a teenager in Iowa today, he might find plenty of causes for rebellion. Adults and authority figures seem to be working overtime in 2006 to impose new rules on young people.School districts, counties and Iowa legislators have been drafting rules, ordinances and legislation affecting youth. Some would limit teen driving, Internet surfing and partying. Other proposals would shield young people from racy movies or violent video games.In some schools, students have to sit in assigned seats at lunch. In others, they are banned from carrying water bottles or wearing backpacks over the noon hour by administrators trying to promote safety or keep out alcohol.The trend has some parents and academics concerned. If youth are pushed too much to conform, critics say, they will struggle with critical thinking and creativity in adulthood.