VALUES
Values....erghhhhh! Doesn't this sound like some vague concept in today's world?
It is not that I'm claiming to be someone who doesn't err on values ever, but basics! What about the absolute basic values that used to be the core of humanity not very long ago? Where have they vanished?
Taking an evening walk onto the walking track of my society, I came across a bunch of 14-15 year olds, frantically searching for what was probably their lost ball while playing a game of cricket. To my surprise, these children, well into their adolescence, were merrily trampling the plants underneath their feet. A flustered guard was telling them not to do so, but they were just not in a mood to listen.
Enraged by their act, I decided to confront them. Of course, I decided to maintain a cool demeanor and asked these children to stop damaging the plants and look for their lost ball in the morning, when the broad daylight would be of help to them. But remember.....the missing values.....while two of them continued with their stampede, two others giggled away at my statement. Infuriated, I had to accost them and tell them that :
1. At their age, they must very well know that plants are living beings.
2. When their wisdom is failing, and the guard is telling them to stop, they must listen to him.
3. Failing in understanding both the above, when a lady is talking to them, they can at least listen to what she is saying.
At that moment I told them to go, but I could read their eyes very well which screamed and said "Oh Shut Up you insane woman!"
This incident highlights a few things:
1. No matter which school our children go to, their schooling is useless if they don't understand the difference between living and non living things.(in this case, plants)
2. They have probably never been taught to respect their elders even if the person does not belong to a high economic status. (in this case, the guard.)
3. Children will not do the right thing but instead mock at the person telling them to do the right thing. (in this case, me)
The incident disturbed me immensely and I kept harping on the thought as to why is this happening?
The act of these children actually puts up a question mark at the upbringing and schooling of the children.
Are we, as parents, so lost in our daily lives, that we forget to instill these basic values of love, respect and kindness in our children?
If so, we must pause, take a breath, analyse and evaluate the repercussions this callousness will cause.
A friend of mine aptly put it when she said, "We must teach our children the values of Love, Respect, Honesty and Kindness. For the rest, the entire world is there."
Values....erghhhhh! Doesn't this sound like some vague concept in today's world?
It is not that I'm claiming to be someone who doesn't err on values ever, but basics! What about the absolute basic values that used to be the core of humanity not very long ago? Where have they vanished?
Taking an evening walk onto the walking track of my society, I came across a bunch of 14-15 year olds, frantically searching for what was probably their lost ball while playing a game of cricket. To my surprise, these children, well into their adolescence, were merrily trampling the plants underneath their feet. A flustered guard was telling them not to do so, but they were just not in a mood to listen.
Enraged by their act, I decided to confront them. Of course, I decided to maintain a cool demeanor and asked these children to stop damaging the plants and look for their lost ball in the morning, when the broad daylight would be of help to them. But remember.....the missing values.....while two of them continued with their stampede, two others giggled away at my statement. Infuriated, I had to accost them and tell them that :
1. At their age, they must very well know that plants are living beings.
2. When their wisdom is failing, and the guard is telling them to stop, they must listen to him.
3. Failing in understanding both the above, when a lady is talking to them, they can at least listen to what she is saying.
At that moment I told them to go, but I could read their eyes very well which screamed and said "Oh Shut Up you insane woman!"
This incident highlights a few things:
1. No matter which school our children go to, their schooling is useless if they don't understand the difference between living and non living things.(in this case, plants)
2. They have probably never been taught to respect their elders even if the person does not belong to a high economic status. (in this case, the guard.)
3. Children will not do the right thing but instead mock at the person telling them to do the right thing. (in this case, me)
The incident disturbed me immensely and I kept harping on the thought as to why is this happening?
The act of these children actually puts up a question mark at the upbringing and schooling of the children.
Are we, as parents, so lost in our daily lives, that we forget to instill these basic values of love, respect and kindness in our children?
If so, we must pause, take a breath, analyse and evaluate the repercussions this callousness will cause.
A friend of mine aptly put it when she said, "We must teach our children the values of Love, Respect, Honesty and Kindness. For the rest, the entire world is there."
