Is our parents getting easier or is the children that are getting tougher? I don't know how parenting was in the 80s, but I'm in my late twenties, and I can say how our parents trained us when we were teenagers is different from how parents of this generation are training their children. There are even some things you would be scared to do because of your parents, but now they've become norms for teenagers. Parents of this generation believe our parents were too harsh with the way they handled us when we were young. But those who aren't harsh, what impact have they made in the lives of their children?
It's getting worse every day. Even teachers are careful about beating children because they know the next day, parents will be in school shouting about why they beat their children. Perhaps these parents don't want their children to suffer like they did or be too harsh on them like their parents. Even the Bible says in Proverbs 23:13-14: that "Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol. (Not too much but to discipline them)Those of us they beat are still very much alive today.
Now, when you see a child dressing indecently, you can't advise them without hearing, "You can't tell a child what to do because you're not their parent." To me, the parenting of this generation is worse and is getting worse day by day. I don't know if it's technology advancement or they just don't want to be harsh on their children.
I remember when I was teaching,one of our teacher call a parents about their child's attitude and behavior. Unfortunately, the mother often supported her daughter about the bad attitude, leaving the teacher unsure of what to say next, the teacher have to release the child because she can't say anything again.
Nowadays, You see children under 18 dressing half-naked on social media, getting pregnant anyhow. I follow a lady on social media who helps teenagers who got pregnant, and when some of them share their stories, they're not even remorseful about it; they don't regret their actions from the way they talk, some will be like I like him and I fellow him to club , we drink and then we sleep together, a child of 16 years.
When I was still teenager. We were always scared of being seen with the opposite gender because of our parents. Yes, our parents put so much fear in our hearts, and the fear helped us. But now, this generation's parents want to train children with love, and the children take it for granted. The fear our parents instilled in us doesn't mean they didn't love us; they do, and it has shaped us into what we are today.
I just fear for the generation to come, especially with this new generation parents now making frontals or fixing nails for their 2-year-old children. What will be the future of those children.
The way parent has changed significantly over the years. While some parents prioritize love and nurturing over discipline, I believe that a balanced approach is key. As I reflect on my own upbringing and the current generation, I worry about the future. Only time will tell how these parenting styles will shape the next generation.