Parents vs. society and the media

It is an uphill battle to teach children, especially where values and morals are concerned and I sympathize with some parents. What makes this difficult is the influence of peer pressure and the media. They are catchy, attractive and enticing. It is difficult for any child or teenager today, to remember what they are taught and stick to it. Why? Because the majority of people both young an old don’t.

In fact, the principles held by our grandparents and great-grandparents and great great-grandparents are now a mockery to the ‘masses’ today. Hmmmn, no one wonder we have such an open and blatant disrespect for authority, laws and rules. Moreover, discipline is a thing of the past more or less.

I wish we would all stop blaming someone else. Stop blaming our “socio economic problems, single parent homes (or shacks), lack of social infrastructure in ghetto communities, as well as unemployed and disenfranchised young men, with no basic skills.” Everybody is responsible; whether we contribute to the breakdown, remain neutral, fearful or silent.

Our grandparents and their parents were faced with greater poverty and social issues. They were far less educated; in fact many of them never went to school, much less university. Among them were women who raised large families single-handed, because their men were out working to put food on the table, out fighting a cause or away at war. They were faced with greater injustices. Remember they were beaten, tortured and killed simply because of the color of their skin or race and it is important to note that much of this was normal and widely accepted. However, thank goodness for a few people who had good values and morals and to some great leaders and pioneers.

Today, some people blame globalization and the fact that things are more in the open now and than they were in ‘those days’. So, what is the fuss when a few people with good values and morals try to keep from our nation’s children “unbridled sexual expression, violence and the debasement of women and disrespect for authority” that is rampant in the media. Why the media? Well, because it comes in the form that is most prominent, pervasive and most accessible..

In the same way that people cry out for “free choice” and “freedom of speech”, or the media believes they have a right to make what sells, or artistes want to entertain their fans, so too do parents have a right to protect their children. Parents, it is hard, but continue to teach your children. Set a good example and talk with them. Learn from them and get an understanding of what they are facing and by all means necessary, fight back. Fight longer, harder and be smarter. It may seem like everything is against you, but do not give up and do not give in.