Families

Ralphy

Let me begin by saying that i grew up in a healthy house with two parents and two siblings, not a divorced household, not a drug house or parents that had addictions or were abussive. I was born in the late 60's and we were raised to respect our elders, the Police, teachers and others in any profession. We were taught that it is wrong to lie, steal or cheat and if we did get into trouble we were punished accordingly with a whack over the ear or a kick in the backside and if we were sent to our room it was punishment, there wasn't play sytations xboxes and other elctronic anti social things available to us. We were permitted to play outside until the street lights came on then it was time for dinner, we had a proper meal put in front of us and we ate it, even if we didn't likepeas lol. When we got in trouble at school, there was consequences at home. Same if we got told off by the Police (and we would never ever think of talking back to Police) then fair chance when we got home, we would get a kick in the ass again. We were taught to treat people with respect and to protect those weaker than ourselves and never ever hit a female. Swearing in front of our parents would have been something that never crossed our minds. It was a normal house. Not rich, not poor but middle class family. Now look at today's youth, and Im not talking all of them, they have no respect for anyone and most times this includes themselves. They drink, take drugs, swear, drop out of school because they don't like the discipline. I spent 13 yrs in the Police and the amount of times that I have had a "kid" aged from 8 yrs up to 16 yrs swear at me, be disrespectful to me, be under the influence of drugs and or alcohol was incredible, it was more the norm that the exception. Kids would be out at all hours of the night and if we took them home their parents would just shrug their shoulders and sigh like it is all too hard or there would be the others who would then abuse us for doing this to their kid. No wonder kids are like that when their parents set that example. Long winded I know sorry but the bottom line is that it is breaking down because kids are not taught respect or discipline these days. They have mobile phones and other expensive gadgets, they have more freedom to go and do what they want when they want and they have less respect. Sure lots have broken homes these days but that is an excuse not a reason. I know plenty of single parents who ensure their children are taught the basic family values and respect and discipline. We have unfortunately made our bed, now we all have to lay in it. Families haven't really changed, the values have.