Gonzo/CDN
I had the misfortune of spending down time a few years back with an ailment which demanded staying off work. In boredom I watched television and learned what awful stuff is being put out by advertisers and programming for the women (and children) of our world.
Especially offensive to me are the snotty moms and even snottier kids putting their fathers down as if dad is a retarded street person they allow into the house as long as he "behaves".
Then kids get to school where it is "wimp and whine" time, teachers terrified to speak up against anything a child does, until the kids begin to put the puzzles together - adults are afraid to challenge them, afraid to punish them, afraid to restrict their goofy kid-like ways..... until they get into trouble.
Who started this "monstrous" method of learning and teaching I don't know but we are creating huge problems down the line - not only for the children we love, but for the nations where children are brought up to believe they are omnipotent and have no consequences in life. Those same kids find out in a terrible moment, they are fragile, they are depressed, and they kill themselves or others...because nobody taught them it could end in an instant.
And parents look around wondering what the hell happened..... "it must have been that kid he was spending time with," they say....looking for answers when deep down in the gut....they know....it was their fear of circumscribing boundaries for their kids....out of love.... taking the heat and anger.... but ultimately gearing their kid to learn about life....with support and backup and always...love.
Parenting is the one top job we are faced with in life - the ultimate work of our survival - teaching the young how to survive and to be flexible and to learn how fragile life really is. Giving money and gifts and clothing and lots of techie gadgets are replacements for the real thing - learning about life.
It is time parenting be honored and placed at the top of our priority list ...
Curiosity (formerly Wednesday's Child - changed to suit new board format)