A lot of this is due to poor parenting, in my opinion.
I have a 14 year old son. The other day, he saw the Home Economics teacher leave several bags at the entry way, then go park her car. Now, he could have just into my car and leave, as the school was on a two hour delay, but we didn't know about it, hence why we were there. My kids are homeschooled, but take some classes at the high school. He was there for his Spanish class.
Anyhow, he waited for the teacher to come back to the entry way, grabbed up four of the heaviest bags, and helped recruit another kid (who also didn't know about the two hour delay
) to help bring the rest of them in, so she had a bowl and one light bag to bring in. I smiled and waved at the teacher (my daughter had her last year for cooking class, so she remembered me). She told me what a doll he was for offering to help, and that the other kid as well was a nice kid. The Home Economics class was at the end of the building, so it was a long walk. Bless her heart for doing this every week without help!
After that, we went shopping at the grocery store. An elderly lady dropped her purse, and the contents spilled out of it. She had a cane and was obviously struggling, poor lady. My son picked up the bag, put the stuff back in it, handed it to her and smiled. She couldn't thank him enough.
Another time, there was a man who was trying to get his wheel chair out of the back of the SUV at a school event. My son went right over and got it for him. Another time, a different man had his young son with him. The kid struggled to get the wheelchair back in the car, along with the groceries. My son went over and helped the both of them, even shutting the trunk door.
How did he get this way? I taught him and my daughter's class and manners. I've had people tell me what a great kid he is, the things he's done when I'm not around to help struggling people or other kids, and it's because he learned from home what kindness, compassion, class, and manners is.
Now, he's no angel, he's all boy. But one thing I am proud of him for is that he would never say such a cruel thing to anyone, because I've taught him and his sisters to never judge a book by it's cover. They all have been taught since they were little just because you can't see someone's handicap or disability, it doesn't mean that there isn't one and to never be rude, only helpful if someone needs assistance. Or that they may have just had surgery and can't do the things they'd like to do as fast as the rest of us. We just never know what others are struggling through and have no right to judge others.
I find all too often these days that parents make excuses for their kids rudeness. The "kids will be kids!" line is so old and tiring to hear. I've seen kids making fun of other kids right in front of their parent's faces, and the parents do nothing about it. My kids knew/know better than to make fun of anyone- to me, that is just not acceptable.
I've also seen my kids do nice things for people, and them being rude in return without so much as a thank you or a nod. So, it's not just kids that are rude, adults can be nasty or classless as well.
I'm so sorry you went through this Paula. Shame on those boys for being rude.