Parents and the Challenge of Children

Extract

Too many children present problems fraught with danger these days. One has only to pick up the newspapers or listen to the news to appreciate the seriousness and. scope of the child-adult conflict as well as its far-reaching consequences. Indeed, it is not uncommon to read of parents and teachers being beaten, injured or killed. Conflicts and tensions between adults and children are becoming too much the rule rather than the exception.

All kinds of explanations have been offered for the misbehaviour and misdeeds. Some say the attitude on the part of children is caused by the influence of comic books. Others claim it is lack of adult discipline at home and school. Some lay the blame to a decline of ethical and moral values as religion loses its grasp on people and has lost its significance to the modern mind. Still others say the reason is due to lack of respect for authority which stems from home and school situations.