Growing up in Ghana was a delightful adventure. Childhood days were filled with simple pleasures: making intricate drawings in the sand, crafting toy cars from palm fronds, and roaming freely without a care in the world. These carefree days contrast starkly with the experiences children of today have.
In the past, children were raised with a strong respect for elders and societal norms. They were taught the importance of obedience, gratitude, and humility. We’d greet our elders with a warm smile and a polite greeting, never daring to be rude. Everyone monitored every child closely. We understood the importance of hard work and good behavior, knowing that our actions would determine the rewards we’d receive, especially during Christmas.
Children of Today
However, times have changed. Today’s children seem to have lost their sense of respect and decency. They often disregard societal norms, disrespect their elders, and engage in inappropriate behavior. The once-cherished values of our society are fading away. Gone are the days when greeting was mandatory. Today, children boldly ignore the elderly when their paths cross, and if the elderly dare correct that child, they receive an embarrassing dressing-down.
Today’s children are dissatisfied with everything they get. They are rude and unkind to their peers and the elderly as well. To say these children dress indecently is an understatement. Young girls brazenly expose sensitive parts of their bodies to attract the opposite sex. The boys reveal their undergarments, totally unconcerned about societal norms.
Today’s children are intolerant of correction and rebuke. They have no respect for the elderly in the community. The children disregard any form of discipline from the elderly, especially everyone who is not their parents. They feel they know better than the elderly because of the advancement of technology in their age, which the elderly find confusing. Information is easily accessible to these children and the elderly usually do not understand the world today.
Parents of these children seem to have lost control over their children. The children disregard whatever values their parents may have passed down to them, constantly doing as they please. Children go so far as to verbally abuse their parents, something that was abominable in the past.
The Way Forward
Charity, they say, begins at home, therefore, the root of this problem can be traced to the homes of these children, primarily. As the first teachers of these children, parents play a crucial role in shaping their children’s character. Unfortunately, many parents have become lax in their parenting responsibilities, allowing their children to run wild. The pressure from the economy also contributes to the absence of some parents in the home and prevents them from instilling strong moral values in their children and setting clear boundaries. It is not too late to prioritize the education of parents and children alike. Parents should learn effective parenting techniques and encourage their children to embrace traditional values. By fostering a culture of respect, kindness, and understanding, we can work towards restoring the lost innocence of childhood.
