Parents and permissiveness seem to have joined hands in an assault on the institution of parenting. I consider it an institution - no less - as it plays a key role in nation-building.
The values we instill in our children today are the ones our nation will exhibit when their generation finds it voice.
Do we want to raise a generation of xenophobics -- the likes of White racists who propelled a dumb-ass like Donald Trump to the Presidency. [TAIBBI2017]
When we give in to our worst instincts in assailing the independence of teachers -- (your child tells you the teacher struck him or her and you raise hell in the Principal's office)-- without hearing the other side of the story. What message are you sending your children?
That they are beyond reproach and can get away with anything -- including hooliganism and rioting which you demonstrate, but don't want them to follow (unless you plan to raise an arsonist MNS follower).
You justify -- saying your child was wronged and the teacher was wrong to raise his hand. But what about making yourself and your child understand the value of empathy -- a teacher burdened with 30 kids -- all raising hell and undisciplined.
Were you in the same situation -- would you not yell at or even raise your hand on your child -- how else would you discipline him without admonishment and punishment?
So instead of teaching the child the value of empathy, respect for authority and discipline -- you give them a license to manipulate people.
No of course children are angels -- yours more so -- angelic souls with cherubic cheeks.
But do you forget that they are wily manipulators too?
A child will seek sympathy from the most pliable quarter. The working parent, who is softened by thoughts of missing out on the sweet smile and innocence of his child during the day, is often supplicated by the child at the receiving end of the wrath of the stay-at-home parent who is equally flustered by the child's tantrums. Never had your child trigger your protective instinct to get them off the hook in such cases?
How different is it when you do the same with a teacher whose greatest contribution is instilling values. If you defang them and denude their authority - what sort of students, adults and nation are you raising?
Children need to be disciplined -- to learn the value of discipline.
You might agree at a conceptual level. But how often do you admonish your child for unsociable behaviour.
The child is yelling and raising a stink.
'Dada! I want xyz!!! Get me xyz!!! I want xyz!!!'
She doesn't get it. Cries, hurls things, stomps about in a rage!
Do you tolerate it, or admonish her and put a stop to it?
If she simpers and cries pitiably, do you relent and reverse your stand immediately?
Or do you provide a lesson in values -- you are teaching the child that tantrums are not an acceptable mechanism to manipulate people into submission -- that the child has to learn to see reason and maybe earn the right to have something she desires.
Everything has a cost after all -- no free lunch -- even in relationships.
If you relent all the time, what sort of adult do you think the child will grow into?
One who thinks they are always right -- justified in yelling at subordinates and their partners (two groups that suffer and tolerate the most).
But what will it do to their relationships and reputations as adults?
And how will it reflect on your values and on the nation?
[TAIBBI2017] Taibbi, Matt Insane Clown President: Dispatches from the American Circus London: WH Allen, 2017 ↩
The values we instill in our children today are the ones our nation will exhibit when their generation finds it voice.
Do we want to raise a generation of xenophobics -- the likes of White racists who propelled a dumb-ass like Donald Trump to the Presidency. [TAIBBI2017]
When we give in to our worst instincts in assailing the independence of teachers -- (your child tells you the teacher struck him or her and you raise hell in the Principal's office)-- without hearing the other side of the story. What message are you sending your children?
That they are beyond reproach and can get away with anything -- including hooliganism and rioting which you demonstrate, but don't want them to follow (unless you plan to raise an arsonist MNS follower).
You justify -- saying your child was wronged and the teacher was wrong to raise his hand. But what about making yourself and your child understand the value of empathy -- a teacher burdened with 30 kids -- all raising hell and undisciplined.
Were you in the same situation -- would you not yell at or even raise your hand on your child -- how else would you discipline him without admonishment and punishment?
So instead of teaching the child the value of empathy, respect for authority and discipline -- you give them a license to manipulate people.
No of course children are angels -- yours more so -- angelic souls with cherubic cheeks.
But do you forget that they are wily manipulators too?
A child will seek sympathy from the most pliable quarter. The working parent, who is softened by thoughts of missing out on the sweet smile and innocence of his child during the day, is often supplicated by the child at the receiving end of the wrath of the stay-at-home parent who is equally flustered by the child's tantrums. Never had your child trigger your protective instinct to get them off the hook in such cases?
How different is it when you do the same with a teacher whose greatest contribution is instilling values. If you defang them and denude their authority - what sort of students, adults and nation are you raising?
Children need to be disciplined -- to learn the value of discipline.
You might agree at a conceptual level. But how often do you admonish your child for unsociable behaviour.
The child is yelling and raising a stink.
'Dada! I want xyz!!! Get me xyz!!! I want xyz!!!'
She doesn't get it. Cries, hurls things, stomps about in a rage!
Do you tolerate it, or admonish her and put a stop to it?
If she simpers and cries pitiably, do you relent and reverse your stand immediately?
Or do you provide a lesson in values -- you are teaching the child that tantrums are not an acceptable mechanism to manipulate people into submission -- that the child has to learn to see reason and maybe earn the right to have something she desires.
Everything has a cost after all -- no free lunch -- even in relationships.
If you relent all the time, what sort of adult do you think the child will grow into?
One who thinks they are always right -- justified in yelling at subordinates and their partners (two groups that suffer and tolerate the most).
But what will it do to their relationships and reputations as adults?
And how will it reflect on your values and on the nation?
[TAIBBI2017] Taibbi, Matt Insane Clown President: Dispatches from the American Circus London: WH Allen, 2017 ↩
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