Tough times

My blood boils when I read stories about people who break the law and are labelled as ‘having no respect for parents or police’. Can we really be surprised by this? Especially, when discipline has been eradicated from the family home and in its place we have been given stress-free upbringing.

Youth no longer have any respect for older people or authority. If the police fail to hold any authority over youth it’s difficult to imagine that parents are going to do a better job. It seems that adolescents, teenagers and young adults are leading the way into creating a dangerous society that is based on crime, violence and rage. I don’t want to live in that society, do you?

I don’t think our governments thought through their decision to ban smacking and disciplining children in a physical way. While I strongly disagree to beating someone to a pulp, I don’t see a problem with a smack on the butt for doing something wrong. I strongly disagree with the studies conducted about smacking causing psychological problems. In most cases parents should avoid physical discipline but sometimes that’s the only thing that will leave an impact.

My parents rarely smacked me though I do recall a couple occasions where I got smacked. I deserved it. None of them caused any permanent or temporary damage. I didn’t repeat the things I did again. Today, I understand why I got smacked and there are days when I wish that my parents got out the wooden spoon a little bit more often. Maybe I would have avoided a few of the issues I went through.

The riots taking place in London at the moment are the result of youngsters who have not been taught discipline or respect for society and for themselves. It’s easy to blame unemployment or an incompetent government (partially they are responsible), but it mostly comes down to how a person is brought up. Looking at the situation there are many more people excluding themselves from the riots and it’s only the small percentage that are creating a terrible reputation for themselves and society.

People require guidance, they require respect and discipline. This guidance, respect and discipline should begin at a young age. When it does, it’s clear to see that society functions in a peaceful manner. There will always be a black sheep in the crowd, but the majority will maintain a certain level of self discipline to act accordingly. Guidance from the community is also necessary.

Times are tough. I understand that. Jobs are hard to come by; the cost of education is on the rise; and, community support at times seems lacking. But generations before us had it much worse. They lived through world wars, the depression and a society without many of the comforts we are blessed (or cursed) with today.

Taking a step back and looking at society from a window view makes you realise that we make our own choices. Some people are more or less disadvantaged than others. There are families who face hardships every day and those who bathe in Crystal champagne; people live off bread and water, while others dine on fillet mignon and lobster. The material things separate them but when we get down to basics they are one and the same.

I’ve read stories about severely disadvantaged individuals persevering and achieving amazing success. I’ve also seen many wealthy and privileged men and women lose it all because of their stupidity. Happiness is a state of mind. We choose to be happy. We choose to have respect. We choose to have self-discipline. Sometimes the road will have rough spots but getting through it will only make us stronger if we allow it to. These are tough times but as a community we can get through them.