THE THINGS WE LEARN

By far, children learn mostly by observing things. Their environment and those closest to them are their most influential teachers. It is in the nature of children to imitate the things they see others do. They tend to adopt the attitudes of those around them, particularly those who hold some kind of authority. However, a very important question is, "Do children always learn the right things from these teachers?"

Certain norms and customs in past societies are looked upon with horror at other times in history. For example, during the eighteenth century the idea of enslaving other people was generally accepted in colonial societies. Many children who were born within such societies saw nothing wrong with slavery. Today it is seen as most definitely immoral. Child Labour, Gender Discrimination in politics and business, even forms of "ethnic cleansing" and genocide are just a few other examples of norms and institutions in past societies which would not be tolerated in our own.

This chapter asks two things. Firstly, the general question, "What might be some things we do in our society today at which our children and grandchildren may be horrified?" What evils might our own generation be mindlessly perpetuating? Secondly, it asks specific questions about our individual lives and the things adults teach children by their attitudes and actions. Adults can lead children in the right direction morally, but sadly they can also lead them astray. In the end it is up to the children to choose what they would learn from them. Thankfully even children have some level of wisdom and sometimes the adults, if they are humble enough, are the ones who should learn from the innocence and clarity of a child.

The following is a list of things to which children of today are often exposed. In going through the list, the reader is to ask himself or herself if he or she should adopt or reject the practice or attitude related to each item.

The things children see parents and adults do and not do:

Speak ill of neighbours habitually

Break promises

Refuse to help out their spouses at home leaving one to do all the chores

Show no interest in becoming involved in community activities

Show no ambition to improve themselves

Drink / smoke excessively

Are entertained by morally degrading jokes or music or shows

Verbally / physically abuse others

Be unfaithful to spouses

Show no interest in children's welfare

Set no limits (boundaries) for children; do not correct them when they go astray

Neglect elderly or disabled members of family

Call in sick for work when they are not

Short-pay taxi drivers

Break traffic lights

Drive dangerously fast

Overtake traffic by passing on the shoulder of the road

Litter the environment. (Throw bottles, food boxes, and other rubbish onto the road, etc.)

Procrastinate

Curse and use obscene language

Speak ill of other ethnic groups

Speak in a derogatory way about members of the opposite sex

Be insensitive to the feelings of others by being careless with gifts and possessions

Disrespect authority

Be inpatient

Avoid difficult decisions

How do you think future generations will look on our acceptance or rejection of the following?

Euthanasia

Homosexuality

Corporal punishment

Capital punishment

Support of measures to stop global warming and other environmental dangers.

Using and farming human embryos for use in science

Banning religious teaching and expressions in public schools

Rights of living, unborn human offspring

Activity: List five things you like most about your parents/guardians. List three things you dislike about them. List the qualities you would like to keep throughout your adult life.