A new study reveals that kids believe that their parents value good grades more than kindness and the child being a 'good' person. (You may want to read that again to truly grasp the full impact).
I have pontificated to school district audiences' across the nation where parents attend beginning of the year sports orientation program nights. Parents 'want' four (4) things for their kids: (1) health, (2) love, (3) happiness and (4) success. The reality is these 'desires' are out of the control and beyond the reach of parents. Children will pick up on the subliminal messages sent by parents. It would appear that our nation, which beats the 'Christianity drums' talks out of both sides of its mouth while their 'actions' speak volumes to the young people.
Kids sense a celebratory attitude emitting from mom and dad when the child gets straight 'A's' or scores the winning goal or makes the varsity team. It seems less glorious and parents do not send the same praise message when the kid shows love and assistance for others. We Americans may like to believe that the Ten Commandments should be posted in the public square but in fact, those parents do not even preach the message and glorify loving actions in their own home; a sad fact according to the children.
In the 1950 movie, 'Harvey,' Jimmie Stewart plays the lead character, Elwood P. Dowd, an eccentric middle-aged gent whose best friend is an imaginary six foot three rabbit named, 'Harvey.' In the movie, Elwood shares a bit of his mother's philosophy: when she told Elwood the following: "In this world , Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant." Elwood then adds, "Well, for years I was smart, I recommend pleasant. You can quote me."
If you are not a movie fan perhaps you like the things Jesus said, "That which you do for the least of my people, you do also for Me."
Matter-of-fact, there are 19 Bible verses addressing kindness; obviously not many American children are encouraged by parents to read and abide. Too bad because the happiest people in this world are those engaged in work they love and serve others during life's journey.
No comments:
Post a Comment