Today's blog is not a 'finger-pointing' rant but rather an observation. Those of my generation may recall the charge from our parents, which was a simple proposition: 'children are to be seen and not heard.' Taken out of context that parenting approach appears to be rather harsh and not very nurturing. If I was going to be in adult company, my parents were explicit with engagement guidelines. I was told to be polite, answer yes, no and use proper terms, i.e., thank you, please and excuse me. Plain and simple, if my parents were conversing with other adults, I was never to offer a comment or opinion unless answering a direct question. Believe it... I learned much just listening.
The aforementioned are no longer the rules. Dr. Benjamin Spock introduced a new parenting style in the late 1940's and by the 1960's mommies and daddies were on board with the 'warm, parent-buddy approach.'
Parents today encourage children to express their feelings in the public domain...it's okay. The trade off seems to be children adopting a less respective attitude towards adults and embracing a more dangerous perceived 'equality with adults' void of the consideration and appreciation for age, experiences, or knowledge. Wisdom becomes an obsolete priority trait.
We then ask the question: Has society, at large benefited or been disadvantaged from these changing parental strategies? If at a very young age, children are encouraged to concern themselves with their 'feelings' is there a risk that young people become more self-indulging and self-centered while less tuned to the world about them and the needs or feelings of 'others?' As a stated at the top...not indicting a generation just pointing out a parenting change, which is undeniable.
(Touch)Do As I Say
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