Today’s children watch parental behavior closely. Leading by example is the only mantra that can work. Children increasingly tend to question authority and this change must be accepted — and handled — by parents and teachers.
A child may mock one’s “old-fashioned values” because they may not fit into his/ her way of thinking, or interfere with his/her plans, but it is only possible to impart values to children if the parents’ lives are governed by the same principles.
Parents have to exemplify what they want their child to be. Children don’t respect and believe their parents just because they are their parents. In our modern times, the authoritarian parent has had to move into the role of friend. The openness that comes with such sharing is an advantage, but it can also result in an overly casual attitude towards parents. It is very different from times gone by when the parent’s wish was the child’s command and the parent’s authority was unquestioned. Wise parenting means practicing one’s beliefs, keeping one’s your values strong and voicing them in context even as one accepts positive changes in a child’s so long as his/her basic values are intact.
It is not necessarily a problem if today’s child want to be independent in views and behavior from a very early age. For instance, even the motivation to “make money” need not be seen as against family values so long as he/she tries to get rich using methods that remain within the framework of fundamental values. It is only by accepting that times change that parents can perceive this as a forward movement by a young and dynamic generation. But there is a lot to frighten the older generation.
For instance, young people’s tendency to live life luxuriously without a thought for tomorrow or any apparent appreciation of all that it took to create wealth and opportunity. It is frightening to see the easy arrogance that comes with the next generation’s easy access to money and consumer goods.
