Future Generations
So I came across this video in a post on this blog.
I couldn’t help but return to how well we have it in this country and how we feel as though we are entitled to more. I am in a weird place in my life right now where most would classify me as an adult (some may not) and yet I am not a parent. So I have this weird way of kind of seeing both sides of the field (one side being someone growing up and being influenced by society and the other being someone concerned about someone growing up and being influenced by society) but I don’t see each separate side to the extent and clarity of those on each (but I think it’s really hard to see one side from the other).
So I listen to things on the radio about some parents wanting to make a separate school to put all the bullies in and listen to concerns from friends about how they want to protect their children from all the horrible things in the world. And I find myself in this interesting position of being able to play both sides of the fence to some degree.
My concern comes here. If we think it is right for our children to have a life without pain even at the expense of someone else aren’t we telling them that they are entitled to a life without pain? So whatever is needed to be happy is what is right? Is that too big of a step? Should I want to protect our young better? Or do I stick with my belief that character, strength and stamina come only through trials, struggles and tests.
To be honest I am so much less concerned with bullies and my kid maybe getting picked on then I am with my kid seeing things that they shouldn’t on the internet…and then it hit me that after seeing this video I focused on me. me. me. me. Not the kid in slave labor. When did I become so selfish? When did I learn that I am entitled to whatever I want? When did all become about me? When did my concern become more focused on poor little Timmy not getting bullied at school and not on whether someone has water to drink? Or to go one step further, when did I become more interested in how society effects people (and me) and not my effect on it?
