Generation Gaps

The generation gap still exists and will continue to exist despite optimistic statements to the contrary. New parenting methods would have one believing that the gap no longer exists as parents and offspring are more like friends than parents and children, the latter implying that there is still a boundary that cannot be overstepped.

From the Tiger mother generation’s viewpoint, being more like friends with one’s children where your children no longer address you as dad and mom but by your names is a definite no-no. I can hear my own mother saying ( in dialect ) “ Boh tua boh say, ho tah” meaning, “ Haven’t you got any manners, bold piece? ” There is a hierarchy which must be respected. Why do the Chinese have middle names that indicate the generation to which they belong? Simply for this reason. By looking at the middle name, an elder is able to tell the generation of the person. All siblings will have that same middle name.

Why are news of misdemeanours reported daily? Why do teenagers still run away from home? Why do their parents despair and wonder what prompted their youngsters to run away? Why have young people become victims of rapists? Why do they stay out so late at night, returning only in the early hours of the morning, that is, if they return at all.

Many have opined that youngsters do not confide in their parents when they are faced with problems because parents have no time for them. They are too busy eking out a living or too busy with their own social agendas. These youngsters become easy targets for those who are out to dupe them for their own ends.

Gullibility, peer pressure, chat rooms, online predators….. who knows which among these have led the youngsters to do what they did?

Morals are on the decline, so it is reported. Sexy dressing, uninhibited behaviour, lack of decorum….these are commonly seen in the young people of today. Why aren’t parents taking the upper hand in laying down ground rules as to what is permissible and what will not be tolerated? Are they afraid of alienating their young? Surely common sense must prevail.

Maybe I’m outmoded but when I see young girls coming to places of worship dressed in very short shorts ( I believe you call them hot pants) which hug their hips and are low hung ( meaning way below the waistline), I wonder where their respect for the House of God is. How can parents condone this? Shouldn’t they put their foot down and tell them that such clothing is out of place and shows gross disrespect? An excuse that is often heard is “ She won’t listen to me.”

There will then always be gaps, gaps between the older and younger generations, gaps too among the younger generation where there are those who have strict parents with firm do’s and don’ts and those whose parents are lackadaisical, too indulgent or simply too busy and have abdicated their responsibilities. Live and let live cannot be a way of life.

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Be Thankful in Life

I received this from a friend and I would like to share it with you as it gives a lot of food for thought.

Heavy rains remind us of challenges in life. Never ask for a lighter rain. Just pray for a better umbrella - That is attitude.

When flood comes, fish eat ants and when flood recedes, ants eat fish. - Only time matters. Just hold on, God gives opportunity to everyone!

Life is not about finding the right person, but creating the right relationship, it's not how we care in the beginning, but how much we care till the very end.

Some people always throw stones in your path. It depends on what you make with them. A Wall or a Bridge? - Remember you are the architect of your life.

Search for a beautiful heart, but don't search for a beautiful face. Coz beautiful things are not always good, but good things are always beautiful.

It’s not important to hold all the good cards in life. But it’s important how well you play with the cards you hold.

Often when we lose all hope & think this is the end, God smiles from above and says, 'relax dear it’s just a bend, not the end.' - Have faith and have a successful life.

One of the basic differences between God and humans is, God gives, gives and forgives. But the human gets, gets, gets and forgets.

Be thankful in life....

Walk humbly……. Love Tenderly……. Act justly…….

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The Disabled Need More Practical Help

It was very heartbreaking to read in the news that a 14 year old girl died because of bed sores. According to the report she was born disabled and could not walk. Her deprived family background made things worse. Her dad was in prison and her mum was a sweeper. She was illiterate because she never attended school.

This comes as no surprise because her single parent probably was in no position to send her to school. Among the questions raised was why the social welfare department did not help her or her mother. It was also reported that her mother went to several clinics for help but apparently nothing came out of it.

Why didn’t the doctors refer the mother and child to the social welfare department for assistance? Could not the child have been helped in any way?

In more advanced countries, there are hospitals with special beds to relieve pressure sores or bed sores for patients who are severely disabled. There are special needs educators who will come up with a program tailored to suit a disabled child, with the mother in attendance so that she will be actively involved in the education of her child.

Why is our Malaysian education system not catering to this group of disabled children? Why are they being left out? The deaf and the blind have assistance. There are special classes for them. Why not the more disabled children like this girl who was left, so to speak, to die in her impoverished circumstances?

It is a double whammy to be disabled, poor and illiterate. It means that you are left out of the system, which at best is like a holely sieve that lets the most needy fall through. In Sabah, a nine year old boy from a poverty stricken family had to commit suicide before his family ( his single mother had heart problems ) got any attention from the authorities concerned.

This is very damning. What’s the use of rushing to offer help when the child is already sacrificed? The poor are often illiterate and do not know where to turn for help. Shouldn’t those who are better off come forward to help, especially if they know of such people who desperately need help?

Village elders if they have poor disabled, or sick or destitute families in their villages, should offer assistance by going the extra mile. The local assemblymen ( women included of course ) should visit their constituencies and look out for this particular group of their constituents and help them, not for political mileage but for the simple reason that they are the ones in the best position to help and must help because that is their basic responsibility, to help the people.

Beauraucracy should take a back seat in such cases. Why make the poor and illiterate jump through hoops, knowing well that they cannot do it?

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