Shaping the Child

And continuing where I briefly went to yesterday, while laws are made to protect the general population (which unfortunately, with what I have seen of it, is necessary) as usual, much of the information is based upon ‘reported’ (for reported read in a lot of the focus as ‘media’) not necessarily the actual situations or sources.   Because of the often shocking, and disturbing incidents, the reactive sources of law making create ‘blanket’ interpretations. This is one of the problems in dealing with societies as a whole and not having the ability to separate the problem individuals and develop better skills with them to manage their problems. My father tended not to need to know what others had done, but, as mentioned, based it upon what he had been shown. What his upbringing had been. Regardless of how misguided and ill informed it would appear to have been by today’s standards. We did learn very many moral skills. And that in itself, means, we have fairly high moral standards. Would there have been a better way to have learnt them? My butt, legs, arms, hands and head thinks there would have been. But, what did we have to compare it too?

It is not until today, when I talk with people about their childhoods, I hear how different many of them were, and, in some cases, how much worse were the experiences they went through as children, than my own experiences. Yet, many of those of whom I have spoken with, even those who went through far worse experiences, have turned out to be good, moral and personable people. While many younger people whose lives have been far more privileged and ‘easy’, struggle with the very day to day moral decision making (and in many cases fail it) which we all face. Should they have been more harshly dealt with. Should they have had to ‘earn’ what they appear to treat as a right. The very concept of not being permitted by law to smack or reprimand a child is already creating an arrogance in many young people. The influence of foreign television (American particularly) has created a myth in many young people that they can ‘sue’ any one who upsets their privileged existence. The idea that they will benefit financially, if corrected in anyway by any adult or other persons is contributing to this attitude and behaviour. These misconceptions are of course fed, in an ‘urban myth’ type philosophy across the country and like many ill informed politicians, so too are the young misunderstanding their concepts and attitudes are being altered in an unfounded manner.

Today (2^nd Sept 2012) is the day for recognition of the Father. ‘Father’s day’ as they call it. A time when people celebrate their connection with their father (or disconnection), the moments they recognise their father’s contribution, and, in many cases (as we all age), mine included, reflect on the memory of that father. The who, the what, the why. The big questions which are the basis of where we came from most recently.

(Continued tomorrow)