How Prudent Are Choices Made On Behalf Of Children?
The significance of child birth to the individual and society has never lost its ancestral relevance. In every culture it represents new life, a symbol of hope and aspiration. Every birth is saddle with expectations and desire, during that tender age the choice of cloth, lifestyle, school, friends and food are choices taken for the child not ‘on behalf of the child’ as many describe it. Frequently are children forced to wear a particular cloth, eat certain foods or attend specific gathering or functions proposed by the parent till they accept or become use to them. We adapt to certain lifestyles without knowing it actual origin, forgetting how they were strategically fused in our lives.
Often do we overlook or fail to consider that, every individual possess their own way of thinking, different approach to solving problems and their own standard of believes(Religion). Is it right therefore to describe children as ‘little adult’, bearing in mind they will grow and have to make their own choices and possibly change the choices made on their behalf? How well has society considered or come to terms to these possibilities? Should society therefore leave some choices for children to make when they become of age? The society has reinvented its lives in children over decades with little room for moderation for exploration and at each stage tightens the space for consideration.
Whiles In the case of most western culture where nearly all of our beliefs are gradually grinding towards, a child is allowed to exhibit and explore his or her talent at every stage of their lives, families’ exhibit tolerance, Support and understanding with little interference to their choices, this practice has proven to encourage open mindedness and continue tolerance. Most families identify talents and differences in children at a very early theater of their lives and nurture them throughout their lives. The key word here is TOLERANCE, OPEN MINDEDNESS AND ACCEPTANCE.
In our part of the world, we follow the exact rules and lay down procedures by crafting and staging every step of the lives of our children from the stage pregnancy through to birth to the adulthood. We term it Guidance, or strict Parenting. The palpable question is; should the religion, sexual penchant, choice of a life time partner, society and beliefs be left to the child as an individual rather than been slowly initiated to the lives of a child? At a stage they are inept to think or make their own choice.
When children find their path later in live to peruse their own choices. The society is quick reacts and headlines the various norms they consider as odd. Children who demonstrate bravery to change their religion or lifestyle away from their family beliefs are often isolated and stigmatized by said family members. The family considers the act as betrayal and disregard to their being.
We hastily forget the little things sharpening our present existence, influencing us in doing things differently. For instances the decision to pieces the ears of a girl is made by the parent then down to the child to live with earrings throughout, if this child decides to pierce additional holes society is quick to condemn and put her on check. Society considers nothing wrong with tribal marks but sees everything wrong with a tattoo.
Has our society been fair in allowing children to grow to their full potential? Are parent’s reliving their selves in every child in the name of parenting and guidance? How long is the evolution bound to survive?
My take is people regardless of age, gender or location should be allowed to explore, take decisions and live to the fullest length. Individuals make up the society and are part managers of it. The Society as we’re made to see as an invisible force managed by ancestors or old people is not factual. Society should be allowed to evolve, accept changes, stare criticism and acknowledge every person as stakeholder to it. With this it would be earlier to co-exist and accept future changes.
Many adult today are uncomfortable due to decisions and wish they could influence some decisions taken on their behalf.
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