[maxine8]

Eventhough I agree with all the posters and their point of views! I did not see anyone mention the dramatically effects due to rapid advances in science and technology. Science and Technology effecting how family act and see things! Affecting adults as well as children.

Also, how today’s communication is mostly carried out via email, SMS or instant messengers. Not to mention how information is kept in an encrypted directory, safely stored in a password-protected USB key or a CD-RW. Also, the America's growing obsession with the media.

Where/when did we ever see people share information, find knowledge, write how they feel... comment on anything... at times aggressively and without respect... with just the hit of a key.... ENTER! Not to mention if they really cared to think for a moment there was a person on the other side of a screen. We speak/write out exactly what we want/feel..... Don't you think children, young adults are doing the same thing? This is the power of the INTERNET! It teaches us to have an outburst of attitudes we never had before...

Please see Karl Fisch’s “Shift Happens” Presentation (May, 2007). This presentation is amazing.... technology is expanding like we can't even imagine.

http://clifmims.com/blog/archives/38


These are just few of the things I believe has led to a decline in morals and values. It has caused children to have more control over anything and behave differently. Nowadays, there is no need to become invisible! For example, like A girl doesn't have to have diary hidden in her bedroom, she instead carries her PALM PILOT with her at all times.

I was raised in a very strict home, mom and dad took us to church every Sunday, we all had to sit together at the dinner table and had to ask if we could play outside! Pretty and simple. On the other hand, things have changed since then and life is not simple.... Parents have 2/3 jobs, work more to support the family… Family gatherings are a thing of the past, no time… Parents/Grandparents move away to find better quality life… People travel more, see less of each other. Also spiritual believes and ethics have changed tremendously. Life have become more complicated and complex.

So, I ask... How can we expect so much from our kids if parents/adults are not being the best role models for their/our children?

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by redwitch

"Children today are tyrants. They contradict their parents, gobble their food, and tyrannize their teachers." Socrates, the Greek philosopher (469 BC - 399 BC).

Red - I'm glad you found this quote. There are literally hundreds of others thoughout the ages that show that basic issues, like raising children, aren't simple issues and no one has a real handle on the best way to do it. I think it is just human nature to say that 'we' did it better in our day. All we can do is the best we can do.

[billethkid]

Yes best we can is a fair statement, HOWEVER, the issue is the values have so drastically changed that even with the best one can.....today's permissive, more tolerance for wrong doing, less discipline (not just children...military included), special interest preferential treatment, less respect etc.......the outcome is significantly different......

And in my opinion a less desirable result than the "good ol' days"...(plug in the year that fits ya!).

BTK

[graciegirl]

I think a very simple direction to parents of babies is;

Sit down and think what your values are. List the most important ten values to yourself and then TEACH THEM TO YOUR CHILDREN.

[Rokinronda]

Gracie, reminds me of a most beautiful song, sang by Whitney Houston.

I believe that children ARE our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be

I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadows
If I fail, if I succeed
At least I'll live as I believe
No matter what they take from me
They can't take away my dignity
Because the greatest love of all
Is happening to me

Everybody's searching for a hero
People need someone to look up to
I never found anyone who fulfilled my needs
A lonely place to be
And so I learned to depend on me

I found the greatest love of all
Inside of me
The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all

I believe that children ARE our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
Give them a sense of pride to make it easier
Let the children's laughter remind us how we used to be

I decided long ago, never to walk in anyone's shadows
If I fail, if I succeed
At least I'll live as I believe
No matter what they take from me
They can't take away my dignity
Because the greatest love of all
Is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all
Inside of me
The greatest love of all
Is easy to achieve
Learning to love yourself
It is the greatest love of all

And if by chance, that special place
That you've been dreaming of
Leads you to a lonely place
Find your strength in love
written By Chantique Brown

[maxine8]

graciegirl - I agree with you a 100%! ... and hope they never give up reinforcing those values as time passes ON...

rokinronda - THK U so very much for inspiring me this morning! You must click on the link below.... Whitney Houston has an amazing voice and you must hear her sing!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPyzKNLBe_8

[nONIE]

Ronda, Beautiful song, thanks for printing the words. :bigthumbsup:

I have thought about todays kids and their behavior. This may be a ridiculous theory but could evolution have something to do with it? Children today seem to be born smarter. They are doing things at a much younger age then we did and they seem to be free thinkers at a very young age with firm opinions of their own. In fact, some of the things they do and say postively shock me. Are we infact evolving into much more intelligent beings with every generation ,or is it just the exposure to so much more then we were that makes them seem that way?

Of course intelligence is not an excuse for precocious behavior or lack of respect!

[barbjim]

This may sound like a small thing. But I think when they did away with the Sunday Blue Laws and opened everything up on Sunday we got away from the "Family Gatherings". I remember, even though my parents worked, Sunday was a family day.
It was a day to visit other family members, go to church, play outside, go to the beach, etc. No matter what it was, you did it with the family. You can learn a great deal from grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Everyone was quick to encourage a child to behave, correct them when they did wrong. Tell them the reason and give them those values.
Now the family has to work. I think there was a reason for a "day of rest".

[grandma-annie]

I agree with Bright.... as a retired teacher and a mother of three.... I often saw parents enabling their child, and trying to take away those opportunities to make mistakes and learn from them, and to take the responsibility for their mistakes. The parents believed that this was the way to show their love. The student quickly learned how to play this to their advantage. It was an easy way for the parent to be a pal to their kid, but it catches up on down the path... Rollerblader Ann

[gfmucci]

Originally Posted by Russ_Boston

I don't mean to pick on gfmucci but it got me thinking about values in our country.

I know of many young people who live a very moral and decent life and participate in society in many beneficial ways.

There are exceptions to every mega-trend. Anecdotal experiences don't necessarily accurately reflect a broader social shift. I'm sure there are some very nice members of the mafia...and some mighty fine radical Muslims who would make great neighbors.

[travelstiles]

When we were kids we truly believed that only "millionaires" had cleaning ladies, gardeners, sent clothing to the tailor for alterations or shirts out to be cleaned and pressed, ate out regularly, and had manicures. And no one we knew took vacations that involved more than going to a family resort that you could get to by car (and it was a major goal to save for that family car). You met the same kids there every year, and kept them as pen pals.
Think what people could save by having the entire family do the chores that many people pay for these days (yes, including the kids). And why do vacations have to be exotic destinations with "kids programs?" If you're working 2 jobs to afford an SUV, cleaning lady, gardener, etc., why would you pay for an expensive vacation then put the kids into a camp so you can "relax?"
My how times have changed!

[chelsea24]

Mucci, what are you talking about now, you little woofer! :joke:

I think human beings have always been and will always be the same. It's just out there more. We hear about it more. Television and the Internet brings everything and everyone into our homes. There's always been a wave and ebb of morality. Human nature is universally the same. Remember before the "Leave it to Beaver" Fifties, there was the raucous roaring 20's. The cycle of humankind just keeps turning.

[Sidney Lanier]

I couldn't agree more with Chelsea. People are the same and there's nothing new, though today's rapid technology gets us to see the 'nothing new' faster and more instantaneously so things are more out in the open. We can point to the differences in behaviors of children today versus a few decades ago (when we were children), and this is real, but how different is the greater world around us as we relate to it? We have one good friend who says that the only good thing about the good old days is that they're gone. I think we need to be mindful, as we criticize what we see as deterioration between then and now, is to not overlook other differences that are improvements (using the Jim Crow laws mentioned earlier as an example--and there are lots more examples).

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Nonie

Ronda, Beautiful song, thanks for printing the words. :bigthumbsup:

I have thought about todays kids and their behavior. This may be a ridiculous theory but could evolution have something to do with it? Children today seem to be born smarter. They are doing things at a much younger age then we did and they seem to be free thinkers at a very young age with firm opinions of their own. In fact, some of the things they do and say postively shock me. Are we infact evolving into much more intelligent beings with every generation ,or is it just the exposure to so much more then we were that makes them seem that way?

Of course intelligence is not an excuse for precocious behavior or lack of respect!

As always Nonie, You have made me think about something that had never entered my mind. That is indeed a very good theory.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by travel

When we were kids we truly believed that only "millionaires" had cleaning ladies, gardeners, sent clothing to the tailor for alterations or shirts out to be cleaned and pressed, ate out regularly, and had manicures. And no one we knew took vacations that involved more than going to a family resort that you could get to by car (and it was a major goal to save for that family car). You met the same kids there every year, and kept them as pen pals.
Think what people could save by having the entire family do the chores that many people pay for these days (yes, including the kids). And why do vacations have to be exotic destinations with "kids programs?" If you're working 2 jobs to afford an SUV, cleaning lady, gardener, etc., why would you pay for an expensive vacation then put the kids into a camp so you can "relax?"
My how times have changed!

Now that is another good thought.