Ahem: manners please?

Why is it that people seem afraid to correct their kids? I'm talking basic behavior here. Many people seem oblivious that their child's behavior is annoying others.

Case in point: I attended a school-aged kid's group meeting tonight, where parents and leaders were planning a trip for the kids. Critical information needed to be shared with the kids, the parents and the chaperones. And what was happening in the background? Smaller siblings being allowed to run, scream, and generally disrupt the entire proceedings. I'm not talking toddlers here, these younger sibs were 3 and up.

What gives? One mom just put her finger up to her lips which made her child joyously scream louder and more frequently...she just gave up at that point.

Am I the only parent who expects my kids to behave? Am I antique? There has been much press lately about restaurants and businesses who won't put up with unruly children. I can't blame them.

So what gives?