When most people growing up in a fast changing world in the 1980's, homes were all filled with family memories left for generations to understand where they came from. The rare family aged collectables, pictures of past generations, it was a fixture in homes of generation X and before. Today, we as the parents of those raised in this new era of plentifulness. This has led to what I describe as, an ignorance of family values and pride in legacy.
This individualist phenomenon started in the 1990's when we now grandparents started becoming parents. This was when we were impacted in society by parents that gave their children everything. This has been a major contributor in the lack of family loyalty and dedication in part by lost traditions lost by the demands of a two worker household.
We the parents cultivated this mentality of the narcists who have a lack of empathy, consideration for others or the patience for seeing results of hard work. All being a result of an era overwhelmed by a spoiled generation of entitled “Brats”. This reality today is based on an allowed careless disregard for traditional values.
This has led to the even greater impact in the dilution of education and morality in general. Replaced with an attitude of instant gratification and selfishness. This is not a lack of education by their schools, yet the lack of home teaching. As to the importance of being dedicated and loyal towards family and their already lost legacy. The single parent home especially was effected as we all know, a growing trend in America and the world that continues based on the individual. This has become more relevant by parents' willingness to be a friend and not a parent.
A parent's main responsibility is to program their child's mind in the development of critical thinking over their first few years (1-8) in these and other principles long practiced since the start of the human species. As animals, we too like any other animal, has to be trained to act and react according to natures laws of disciplines.
Even my own children could care less about pictures, jewelry, books, articles or anything that confuses them beyond the screen of the iPad's and phone screens. In their mindsets, this has no bearing on the now, or how they see their future. It's upsetting to those of us who, have a strong and long lasting legacy, one my kids have no clue, or interests in understanding.
As we self correct as parents and grandparents, we need to know that generation X is paying attention and there is still hope. The return to values and principles are expanding based on the witnessing of this well known narcistic behavior. The kids today only live in the now moment, but only within the social fabric our society today as they see it fed by educators and media madness.
As parents we only gave to our children what many never had was the thought and felt great didn't it? I agree… however as they grow the feeling of a failed parenthood comes calling. The kids lack the intelligence of good parenting and proof is found in their blatant disrespect to their elders, and do not even know that word or it's meaning.
I was taught discipline like all kids were from my era. It was time for discipline in my home growing up. However, my discipline was given only by my grandma, Mrs. Algie Griffith, a saint actually in my family and amazing woman indeed. As I write this, I too realize that I too am that child I now write about. Lost and confused most of my youth and guilty of accepting my Mom as my best friend.
My Mom until her death, remained my best friend. My biggest fan and supporter she was all my life. It was years later when I realized I was one lost too, not from family just the understanding that my Mom's generation was the first ever generation to be spoiled and entitled.
Spoiled by the lifestyle maintained by my grandfather's hard work, this was typical of any family enjoying the spoils during the industrial revolution. My grandmother taught us kids from what she learned from raising her own children. My Mom, although receiving that same traditional teaching did not reach. Ignored from her era, whose generation only knows the land of plenty and thus a spoiled society remains the biggest threat to the future of all of humanity, or at least a civilized one.
We should all prioritize putting family first, distilling the principles of our legacy being realized again, yet fully understood. Then our children and grandchildren can continue to hand down to their children and grandchildren. My office and a special room hosts generations, pictures of those who made the world a better place by all they accomplished. If you ask your children anything of legacy, they will look dumbfounded and confused, starting with my own.
For those who continue to live in this mindset, they will only live existing and living empty and not fully understanding why. Not until near their death will they realize no one will speak of them and not a minute forward in a memory kept or cherished and protected forever by the next generations. The saddest part this, is this will remain the case moving forward if we do not teach what they do not unwillingly want to know.
Take the time to explain first why, this is vital for their legacy to be remembered. Maybe then using their own reflections, you will reach them. Until then, they will remain lost in a forest of a selfish mind and never in self reflection. Who they truly are and from whence they came, something my own kids can't explain even today.
God Speed to your family and it's proud legacy. A family unit that still believes in the protection of their own reflections and in the future. Otherwise, all we have raised is a human gap in the chain of your legacy. Then the questions come of every generation before us ending with this generation's state of ignorance to any reality beyond what is derived only from the screens that helped raise them.
Randall James
