When we analyze the state of things and how it appears that norms and values, respect and everything have been eroded, it also occurs to me that as adults, parents, custodians and educators of the young ones under our care, we are equally failing in passing on these expected values, right norms, respect and all that is deemed to constitute a responsible human onto these young ones.
Behavioural skills, social norms and beliefs are learnt and they do not grow on trees. They are acquired through constant teaching and emulation. A child is only radicalized through the teachings of an adult or someone in a position of respect. A child is equally taught respect from early days!
The younger generation did not wake up spoilt! Not at all!
We the older generation loaded them with ammunition like kegs of gunpowder and it takes just a strike of a match for them to combust.
They watch and learn from us, add their own individuality and whatever the end result turns into is a product of that.
In essence a child is a by-product of his/her upbringing and society.
We should therefore hold ourselves 90% responsible for the spate of violence, moral decadence, loss of respect and every other vice that rears up its ugly head in today’s World.
We should not lose sight of the fact that we wield a lot of authority in helping these young ones form, therefore we should exercise it in the right manner.
A lot of times, when I take a look today at the my own life cycle, it does not fail to occur to me that the tenets which I have held mostly onto are those ones inculcated in me in my formative years and I daresay that those tenets are the ones that kept me from sinking, even when I furiously dug pits that could have caved in on me. “When a child is raised in the way that he should go, when he grows, he will not depart from it.”
Let me share a couple of African proverbs for today, and bid you a good day.
”When the nanny goat eats grass, it’s young ones watch her mouth and imitate.”
”If a child shoots an arrow that reaches the top of a tall palm tree, then it must be that an elderly person carved the bow and arrow for him.”
”The instruction of a child in youth is like engraving on a stone.”
”When a mother hen has been caught and killed, her chicks become easy prey.”
Once again, Chape thank you for inviting me to the quotes challenge. I shall extend the same courtesy to these awesome bloggers:
Kind regards,
© Jacqueline Oby-Ikocha
a cooking pot and twisted tales 
Wow ! I absolutely love these words. It is so true. What we have inside of us is truly what matters. No matter how bad or good the day or circumstance, it is that inner soul that guides us. I pray every day I can teach my students as well as my greatest student, my son, by building up that crucial foundation.
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The fact that you are aware of your responsibility makes it easier and the grace to do so will follow through. Thank you very much for your positive outlook.
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Interesting! I love the proverb, “You can out distance that which is running after you but you cannot out distance that which is running inside you.” In my opinion, that means to change the world, we must first change ourselves.
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Definitely! You got it spot on. Thank you 🙂
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🙂
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This is such an insightful post! People say things like “kids these days,” and shake their heads. Guess what people, we’re the generation that raised them! Beautiful proverbs!
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Thank you Meg for saying this. Our parents did a decent job and that is why we turned out well. We owe it to our progeny to do the same and not leave them to their own devices and to raise up themselves. I appreciate your support my dear lady.
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You are most welcome!
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🙂
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“The instruction of a child in youth is like engraving on a stone.” So true on this one. So hard to change old habits!
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Very difficult 🙂
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It is!!
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“The younger generation did not wake up spoilt! Not at all!” Gosh thank you for saying this! I have spent a good part of my life working with youth (as a crisis intervention worker and educator) and many individuals today have a very odd look on today’s youth… and misunderstanding of who and how they live. Are /some/ spoiled? Sure. But so were /some/ 50 years ago, 100 years ago, 200 years ago. There are a larger majority that live in poverty, live hungry, help take care of ailing and sick parents or siblings, or live in broken homes. And many adults (sadly I see this) focus on the negative instead of on “raising them like a village” — reach out! Instead of condemning… HELP! Today’s youth (as have the youth throughout history) need adults to nurture them. They /always/ have! I love this post! Thank you for writing it!
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In every generation that has passed, there are spoilt ones there but then people seemed less selfish and more humane than today and it is the failure of today’s adults. I like your in-depth comments as well. Thank you and keep up the good work.
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Well said.
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Thank you 🙂
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I particularly like this post. It is true. The first years are so important, and there is no re-take.
I humbly accept the quote challenge 🙂
Thank you for giving me an inspirational start of my day.
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It’s my delight. There is really no re-take, so we need to do our very best to get it right.
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Yes, a little scary some times. Have a good day my friend!
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You too 🙂
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Thank you! Just getting started here 🙂
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Excellent post! Everything you say here is clear and honest truth. Children absorb our examples like a sponge it’s so important we don’t fall prey to the harmful “norms” that are out there. I could not agree more 🙂 ❤
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If I could hug you over the laptop, I would ((hugs)). Thank you for your supportive words Cavelle. Enjoy a lovely day.
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(((hugs))) You are most welcome! Enjoy your day as well! 🙂 xo
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Responsible parenting would definitely help to eliminate the breeding of criminals. Poverty is another equally important factor, however, decent folks come from poverty all of the time. Some many problems would be eradicated and we wouldn’t have to look to the government for solutions to problems we contributed to. Your posts are always very thought provoking and relevant!
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Our folks were not rich yet they did a conscientious and fairly decent job. I think part of today’s problem if the grasping desire to own so much and then folks burden themselves chasing after every dime and dollar thereby neglecting the upbringing of their family to society.
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You nailed it!
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