The Tail Wagging the Dog

I don't know when it happened but in our school district it seems the tail is wagging the dog.
My oldest daughter came home the other day from being a Big Sister at one of the elementary schools. They decided to take the kids out to the playground a few minutes before dismissal. While on the playground she said a bunch of highschoolers came and started smoking, swearing and making out. Mind you these are teens she knew. A few of the young kids commented saying it was disgusting and the Big Brothers/Big Sisters used it as a teaching moment. My daughter told her charge, "Now you know what not to do!" I couldn't be more proud of her and the others who spoke up but I raised a question: Where was the adult who supervised the BB/BS? My daughter said she was there but didn't speak up. Am I crazy to be incredulous! She should have marched over and demanded they leave school property immediately or she would call the authorities....it's what I would have done. Regardless of the fact that she is not a school employee she is in charge of the children while they are in her care. Why didn't she say anything? I can only guess....indifference or fear maybe?
I believe it's a dangerous trend in our schools.....the tail wagging the dog or rather the students running the school. I hear the stories my kids tell about fights breaking out between two girls and a male teacher standing by not pulling them apart because he "can't touch them", students who constantly swear and what can you do when some teachers swear openly in classes, students who openly defy and disrespect teachers, barely acceptable clothing being worn and not called to attention when there is a dress code, thugs on buses who feel the need to bully those around them and brag about being stabbed and nothing gets done. This is York Suburban....what has happened?
I am not old fashioned only brought up to believe that we should have respect for one another. Is it fear that keeps anyone from speaking up? Fear of students, fear of parent reprisal, fear of lawsuits or all of the above? When did adults become afraid of teenagers? When did they decide to try to be "friends" with the kids thinking it will give them an advantage when disciplining? When did swearing in the classroom become acceptable for teachers? I am angry that my children's education is being disrupted by these kids...how dare they! What right do they have to act this way? The adults need to take back control of the schools and start enforcing the rules. The good kids work hard and do the right things and they have earned the right to a school free of violence and questionable behavior.
The good kids outnumber the bad ones and I only hope that they will stick together and let it be known that it is not ok to act this way....it is not ok to disrupt our education....it is not ok to call people names and it is not ok to disrespect teachers.
I understand that some of these kids don't have the support system at home that a lot do but it can't be used as an excuse anymore. You are responsible for your actions and there are many great people who have excelled in life who have come from broken homes, no parents, poverty etc. They need to be made to understand that the education they are being offered is a gift. A gift that will lift them to unimagined heights if they let it. A gift that will enable them to not be confined by the limits of minumum wage. A gift that will allow them to debate issues with intelligence and poise not guns and knives. And all that is being asked of them is to be a respectful member of the school by following some rules and treating everyone with dignity.
Am I asking to much to want the dog to take back control of his tail?