by Paul Morrow

Created on: April 20, 2007   Last Updated: May 12, 2007

"And they all lived happily ever after!" How many times have we heard this before? Countless children stories use it, movies portray it, and most children believe it. It's the idealistic philosophy that says, "No matter what trials one goes through, in the end, the good guys always win and happiness is guaranteed". This kind of mentality is further propagated by slogans such as "You can be anything you want to be", "The sky is the limit" and "Today is your lucky day".

What kind of messages does this philosophy send our children? Don't get me wrong; I'm all for optimism. At the same time, my "half full" glass has been spilled so many times that I know that life doesn't always play fair. So what are we supposed to tell our children regarding the harsher side of life?

How does a parent tell their child that life has limitless possibilities; unless you break the rules, have a physical limitation, don't apply yourself, get victimized, or someone better achieves your goal? Do too many parents actually hinder their children by filling them with unrealistic expectations? Over all, yes.

It is ingrained in parents to be loving and nurturing. To want the best for their children and to provide what they can for them. The problem is that to often parent's direct children to focus on a goal, without making them take a hard look at the path required to reach it. There is also an implied "right" that everyone is entitled to that goal. This attitude of entitlement now permeates our society and can have long lasting negative affects if it isn't curtailed.

Children raised with the idea that rewards should be handed out freely and without merit are now becoming adults that reflect those values in society. It seems more prevalent than ever that self interest is superseding the well being of others. Is this because our children are being raised under the assumption that they can do no wrong?

There are many factors in raising a child. As children discover the world around them, they are influenced by their dreams, their peers, and their parent's expectations. It seems that parents now a days defend their children's actions even when, by traditional societal standards, their kids are in the wrong. It's good for parents to stand by their children when confronted by a problem; there just seems to be an absence of accountability.

This lack of accountability emboldens the idea that a reward is deserved instead of re-enforcing the idea that hard work pays off. Parents seem to be advocating

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>