Violence, death, and suffering are things that we see in the media today. Our children are seeing what is happening in the world through social media outlets and the news. They are going to school and experiencing the backlash of cruelty. When did it become okay for our children to feel worthless amongst others, or to experience bullying throughout their lifetime? We have let things get out of hand because we are not teaching our children how to be kind.
Hearing how children, teenagers, and adults speak to one another is truly horrifying. It has become the norm to "toughen up" our youth by saying, "don't be a p****y". When did sensitivity become a bad thing? When did we start shaming compassion and remorse for other human beings? I am not saying that children should not have a voice, or the right to stand up for themselves. Instead, I am saying that if our children are being affected by cruelty, why are we not taking it seriously?
The answer is that not everyone feels the same way. It is easy for some people to ignore the ignorance going on around them, and to consume themselves in a bubble of selfishness. You do not have to care about everything that someone says or does, but shouldn't you feel obligated not to act that way yourself? Children mimic adult behaviors. A good role model does not turn a blind eye to cruel actions. Instead, they teach their children not to act that way. In some cases, the children who are being taught to "toughen up", are the ones who are unaccepting of other peoples' feelings and differences.
Furthermore, disrespect, cruelty, violence, and bullying stem from a lack of kindness. If parents are not teaching their children to be kind and accepting of others, then they are enabling their children to treat people of all ages poorly. Not every child is the same, and a lot of children are going through things that are bigger than all of us. We cannot expect everyone to live the same lifestyle as us, or share the same values. Be aware of the cruelty and judgment that is present amongst our youth, and build your child's character. This all starts with us making a change.
