"I'm getting old", I often say to myself when I notice that I'm thinking of stuff like this and my younger self jumps out in my head: What are you talking about!
What I'm I talking about?
Well, the lost values and the impact on the new generations. It's just too clear, that the way my generation was raised has changed over time and the results are there to see.
Youngsters are just living their lives oblivious to the fact that there have been people who have left their lives on the line for them to have what they want. They believe that they should have everything just for existing.
The reason I'm saying this is because I know plenty of youngsters that are taking a path to self-destruction, and not because of drugs or anything like it, it's because they don't know the value of hard work, and they don't value the sacrifices their parents or their families have done for them, and most of all, the don't respect anything or anyone.
An example of this is just next door, my neighbors.
They have 3 children, 2 boys, and 1 girl; the younger boy and the other two are half brothers and sister and that's fine. The oldest two have grown to be respectful and caring; they don't yell, they always say thank you good morning please, they are educated and kind. The little one is another story although he's starting to learn to behave himself, well, he was until his cousin came to visit.
The kid at first reminded me of Rusty, the neighbor from The Incredibles, with his little bike and all, but for the past two weeks he has had a new gadget on his bike, a small wireless sound system and he has it installed in a way that doesn't fall off even if he's riding up and down the street. Well, he turns the volume up to max and plays all kinds of reggaeton songs, a music genre that doesn't deserve to be called music and has often vulgar language and very distasteful lyrics.
He's 7 years old. His parents are here also with him, but they don't pay attention to him so he does whatever he wants.
Three days ago I was online teaching my student in Peru when the kid arrived and started playing his "music". It was so loud that my student complained and I had a hard time listening to him because it was too darn loud! So my mom and I decided to say something to the parents and ask politely to turn the volume down, at least for the hour my class was supposed to last.
They agreed and asked the kid to do so, but the kid refused and had a temper tantrum like I hadn't seen in a long time, then he took his bike and placed himself in our doorway and put his music loud and clear for us to hear. His parents did nothing and I couldn't finish my class.
I was so mad that I could easily spank that kid but no, I couldn't really because that's abuse, that's against the law, that's wrong.
But, isn't it also wrong that a kid doesn't have any kind of respect for others, not even his parents? And isn't it also wrong that the adults in the picture are doing nothing to rectify his behavior?
Society plays a big part in this, the laws also have a role to play, but the family, which in my view is the core of society, has the biggest part of all. If the parents don't teach their kids the basic values to succeed in life, what can we expect from them when they get older? And those of us who are on the other side of the table, what can we do to correct this?
Right now I don't know, I mean, I've worked with youngsters for a long time and I have tried to teach them the true value of proper manners, of proper behavior. Some have listened, some have some troubles understanding this because they behave exactly as their family does, and I just don't understand when even people of my generation say "It's just different times, just roll with it".
That's not right, but I don't have the solution either. Do you?
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Blessings
Sunday, October 10th, 2021.
I hate that term too. "Times are different." No, actually they are not. The past has proven results, and so many of the young people think they have all the answers. They think they have a better way. But time and time again these young people become older people, who when they become older people FINALLY realize they got it wrong.
They offer their experience and they offer their advice. And the new young people shrug their shoulders only to experience the same thing everyone else has experienced.
It is a vicious cycle.