I often feel like I was born in the wrong time. I certainly appreciate the modern conveniences that have come with time, but at times I wonder whether the advances have come at too high of a cost. Not economic cost, but social. As society has “modernized”, values that I hold in high regard seem to have gone by the wayside. Children have become more indulged, catered to, spoiled. Respect, patience and manners have become endangered character traits, replaced by parental attitudes of parent-child friendships, self-esteem raising parental practices and instant gratification. I find that I am increasingly frustrated during outings, witnessing the whining, talking back, and general misbehavior and disregard for others exhibited by children. The sad thing is, it’s not their fault. Their parents have reneged on an unwritten promise that used to be the norm rather than the exception; that it is their parental responsibility to raise honest, hard-working children who will grow up to be responsible citizens, ready to take an active role in society. Instead I see a generation of children being raised with a sense of entitlement, in their own little worlds, without any regard for how their attitudes and actions will affect the world that they are living in.
