Young people appear to take for granted all the comforts and luxuries provided by parents. Often enough, one hears parents claim that they have brought up their kids in the best possible manner — even if it meant bribing someone, or lying or being dishonest. But shouldn’t parents stop and think about the dangerous effects of their children indirectly benefiting from dishonesty.
Parents need to confront these issues. They have nothing to do with changing times. They have everything to do with sound basic values. Such matters need to be thrashed out delicately with children. This can only happen if a parent spends enough time with his/her child.
As any parent will agree, it is always easier to say “yes” than “no” to one’s child. It is easier to agree than disagree. But it is unwise to take the easy way out. It is wise to recognize how exactly society has changed. Sometimes, money has replaced family time. Sometimes, modern parents are too self-absorbed to pay attention to their children. Whatever the problem, the best parenting is by example. Give way on everything else, but not on fundamental values. Howsoever fashionable the values of the day, it is only the basics handed down the generations that can keep society rooted and on the right path.
Change is inevitable but it should be positive. There is no argument but that change must occur. But change must never be allowed to affect core moral values.
HOME TRUTHS
The early years are crucial to instill fundamental universal values in a child. It is these values that will last him/her a lifetime.
Children increasingly tend to question authority and this change must be accepted — and handled — by parents and teachers.
In our modern times, the authoritarian parent has had to move into the role of friend. The openness that comes with this is an advantage. – The Times of India
(As a former diplomat’s wife, Shobhana Balakrishnan has been associated with schools and social organisations in many countries across the world)
