What are the values we are imparting on our children?
Posted on July 5th, 2013

Michelle Alexander

There was a time when the young men and women of this country were raised to be citizens we could be proud of. The bad egg was an exception, and not the rule.

In this day and age however, this scenario is changing. There is no need to highlight examples in this article as they are available in print and online( ex. Youtube) for all to see.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

What are the reasons for this trend?

  • Lack of parental discipline
  • No fear or respect towards authority figures
  • Lack of boundaries and personal limits (ex. Not knowing ones limits for alcohol intake)
  • No respect for healthy competition or spirit of sportsmanship

Who is to blame for this growing trend?

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

  • Is it the fault of the parents for not inculcating the right values into their children at a young age
  • Is it the fault of a schooling/teaching system that has been stretched to its limits
  • Is it the fault of a new culture where such acts are justified, rewarded and excuses given to protect miscreants
  • Is it a combination of everything

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Parents should re-assert their role as parents, as we first learn at home, from our parents. Abuse is terrible, but a little discipline and the right amount of tough love never hurt anyone.

The quality of teaching and the education system must be revamped.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  There was a time when teachers were more than just teachers and would even advice students on important aspects they needed to know in life (at least it was the case in my class).

Those in places of power who try to justify misbehavior should be shunned in order to drive the message that not all are accepting of such behaviour, as it is indeed embarrassing to the nation as a whole when such incidents are highlighted in the world media.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Further, if left unchecked, such youth go on to become a burden to society. The effects of such a situation will not be felt now, but it will become apparent in the future.

2 Responses to “What are the values we are imparting on our children?”

  1. douglas Says:

    Michelle Alexander: The reasons for this trend are simple: (1) NO SHAME and (2) NO FEAR. I think even in Buddhism it is taught that if a person has no “Lajja and Baya”, he or she will do anything.

    In my opinion a vast majority of people, “indoctrinated” by the Politicians, Religious Leaders, Social Activists, Professionals in every field who show NO SHAME and NO FEAR, but motivated only to “grab and grab and grab…” by whatever means, have set the system in motion for their benefits and “SHINE ONE OVER THE OTHER” have set that trend and it has become “IRREVERSIBLE”.

    With the above comment, I share your views and thank you for writing on this subject.

  2. Susantha Wijesinghe Says:

    Michelle !! Sri Lanka was once teeming with beautiful people. Since I left Sri Lanka, it is very depressing to hear of the present day, Human beings with~~NO LAJJA, ~~ NO BAYA~~ as Douglas says. Daily it is going from bad to worse. It is the present day un-educated Politicians, of all hues, that have been the miserable trend setters. Sri Lanka is now divided into two categories, the Haves and Have nots. All classes of corrupt Politicians and corrupt Government Servants are the ‘ HAVES ‘ some of them of ” Lamborgini ” fame and yet another ‘ of murder for luxury living ” fame.

    The Have nots are the masses who eke out a living to put food on the table.

    I fully concur with Douglas, when he says, ‘ it has become “IRREVERSIBLE “. The word Discipline, should be deleted from the Sri Lankan dictionary, if the present day in-disciplined politicians cannot be KICKED OUT.

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