There is continuing tension between generations. The causes are several and no generation appears free of some faults that exacerbate the problems. The problems are sometimes the difference to be found in the larger formation of a life for good or ill. Parenting helps in understanding the issues. Parenting is not really a mystery, although it is so in many families. One of the problems, for modern society, is that our day-by-day, even moment by moment experiences have revved us. Those not revved up seem to get less done than those that are. That need to be recognized, and the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of life pressures must be evaluated. The mature person does whatever is necessary for proper life, by deliberate thought and action that does not permit distortion – especially for the family. My wife was not a revved up person. I was, and believe it was right for me – for my context of life. That force continues to press me even at ninety plus years of age, but is in considerable dilution. Age does that to persons. It was beneficial to our family that my wife belonged to the more restful and quiet style of life that had time and effort for the personal interests and duties of everyday-life. These are the persons who do not permit over complication. They are the ones who usually do the chores without complaint – washing, cleaning, cooking, wiping the kids’ noses, going to the store – and the list grows long. It amounts to care for others, principally in the family, but it often includes others. These persons do best when they can have a bit of alone time, and they may be sensitive to criticism that they have not been liberated. They don’t always like what they do when thoughts of drudgery touch them, but they are at heart gratified with their experience. They know they are necessary to the good of the order. That is usually enough – unless someone messes with them. There is often a practical wisdom that they gain from ordinary life that escapes even specialists in their work. They commonly serve the repetitions of life. Bless them!
Parenting for these persons is often superior to the better informed and revved person given reason to believe he or she is too well trained and educated to do the ordinary life. Some parents or other adults seem to know what to do when they are not the victims of overload. We see considerable print and hear analysts talking about the negative influence of modern television so taken with celebrity, sex, violence, and crudity. Some homes block out stations to their children. Others ban TV altogether. Others nag their children about their choices. I have seen unsophisticated adults simply change the channel and make some few remarks about the greater meaning of a fresh choice. With a bit of attention, patience, consideration, and normalcy, with some redundancy during ensuing encounters the matter is settled in considerate fashion and the children are learning about meaning for making the better choices. Impatient parents miss the goal.
After decades of considerable neglect and failure to guide the emerging generations in making choices, in this illustration in television viewing, there is emerging evidence that points to negative result for pre-school children who watch adult television. The study published from the University of Washington was reported widely in eminent news centers, and fully fleshed out in a respected journal. From my point of view the study is excellent but needs some information unrelated to the direct purpose and design of the study. If we are to make the best use of research in human behavior we need a broader stroke to make the conclusions workable. Why do we call violent, sex-drenched, death and destruction programming adult entertainment? What contribution does it make to adults? Further, why is the carnal offering so large in the percentage of space in time and effort as related to that which is wholesome? Do we believe that if we save our children from the ugliness of low-life, and they pick it up in high school that they are bettered? Until the adult groupings can clean up their acts we can be sure that care of the youngsters which ought to be given, will not nurture them. I have been impressed by the patience, the ordinariness, the wisdom of many grandparents who love and with attitude that takes time to make sure the right thing happens for youngsters. They seldom waste time with kids. At the time of this writing much of life’s programming, is for puberty oriented generations who believe themselves adults. Ordinary life is too valuable to be wasted, but it is. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020