Kids face the drill that respect should be given to elders – speak when you are spoken to, sit straight, do not slouch, do not curse, do not laugh at the injustices, don’t … don’t… don’t… and do… do… do! I agree that the mind of a child is like a sponge and values should be imbibed at an early age, but what is with the dictating? Children do as they are told and rebel when they want attention, no rocket science this! However this piece is not about rebellion, but about rules that adults enforce on children but hardly ever practice what they spout.
Here are a couple of examples that I noticed at a social gathering some time ago
• A young adult was berated by a senior relative for taking time off to enjoy a party
• A kid was chastised for laughing too much
• A third was looked at disapprovingly because she went for seconds at the buffet
• Another did not meet the cut because of the outfit she wore…
We live in a world where one has to look at things in black and white i.e. right and wrong with no leeway made for a dash or grey or orange. I think it has reached a stage where people need to be given some leeway instead of following a certain set of rules. Dictatorship in any context is horrid. It is time that everyone learns and practices respect irrespective of age or class divide. I personally believe that one cannot demand respect but have the ability to command it. An authoritarian approach is nothing to be appreciated about and this is perhaps why so many rebel against the rule of autocracy. There is another problem, if we do not realize the pain inflicted on a child, things can spiral out of control. Being negative about everything that the child stands for is wrong and if this is not nipped in the bud this bad behavior will continue for generations.
You let me know what you think my lovelies because I for one cannot fathom the rule of ‘disciplined’ nagging.
Agree??? Disagree?? Write on....
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