When we talk about parental values and norms, this means the principles and unwritten rules that are passed down from generation to generation by parents. This must ring a bell for many of us. Parental values and norms play a big role in shaping our beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors as we go through the journey of life. There is this quote I find in the bible that resonates so well with this topic, which is
Proverbs 22:6
King James Version
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Growing up in an African home, Nigeria to be precise, I came from the Yoruba tribe, where some norms will be instilled in us as soon as we start walking or talking. I was born into a world where respect, honesty, and hard work were not just words but lived experiences. My parents instilled in me the importance of working hard to earn your share. Their values became the navigating light by which I faced challenges, made decisions, and interacted with others in the world.
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In our home, when we wake up in the morning, we are expected to pray; after that, we are not meant to sleep until we have done our house chores. I for one, I was meant to sweep everywhere in the house, meaning I could only go back to bed after I was done. By the time I was done sweeping, sleep had already left me and I am up and doing. We are not meant to eat until we have brushed and taken our bath.
Parental norms, on the other hand, served as the boundaries and expectations that guided my behavior and shaped my understanding of right and wrong. From punishment to chores, from manners to traditions, these norms provided structure, discipline, and a sense of belonging within the family unit. Even when I refuse not to follow the values that are being taught, the rod of correction is never too far from me.
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As I wrote about this topic, I came to a realization of the importance of parental values and norms in the life of a child. Some people did not grow up to be what they are today (the bad side of society) but some of their characters were encouraged by their parents, or there was no one to correct them on time before they walked deeper on the wrong path because there are paths that seem right unto men but the end thereof is total destruction.
In conclusion, parental values and norms serve as a direction that guides us through the difficulties of life, offering a sense of discipline, identity, and purpose. By accepting the wisdom of the past, we tend to embrace the realities of the present and avoid mistake in the future. These are my thoughts.
Thanks for reading.
This is my entry for the inleo #februaryinelo daily prompt. I am inviting you to join and you can see more of it Here