Saturday, October 3, 2009

Peers : Pressure or Pleasure?

What we do with our children eventually defines the culture. It is interesting when we notice the youth of today, they hardly reflect the values and tradition of their parents. Why is this so? This is because the child is being "parented" more by peers than their own parents! In the absence a secured parental center, the child has no choice but to turn to their peers for guidance and direction.

How does one build that strong "parenting center"? You begin by reclaiming your position as a moral teacher at home! In the growing up years, the child lacks moral maturity and will be drawn to that which appeals to his want for immediate gratification. That's the reason why peer pressure is so attractive - friends say what the child wants to hear but as a moral teacher, the parent says what the child needs to hear. In your moral capacity at home, you have three roles :
  1. Set the boundaries. Love your child enough to protect. Be wary of what they watch and whom they admire. Freedom is to be given in responsible doses.
  2. Set the example. Nothing backfires a moral effort as a hypocritical life! Your consistent action creates a source of inspiration for the child that no parenting book can ever hope to produce.
  3. Set the standard. Morality is not a relative term. What is your standard of morality? Make sure that you can articulate it clearly to your child. As for my family, the Bible is my yardstick of what's right and wrong. You have to discover yours and then, stick to it. After all, that which is shifting can hardly be called a standard.
Click here to listen to a radio interview on BFM concerning this subject.