Parental Role in Fostering Moral Development in the Adolescent
Children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has the quiver full of them, they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate (Psalm 127: 3-5).”
The last verse of the above quotation will only become true, if you as a parent fulfill your calling as one. It is apparent today that many parents have failed in their responsibilities, which in turns makes it a necessity for me to write on.
Adolescent begins from ages 13 to 19, which simply means the transitional period between childhood and maturity, where dramatic changes in the body is developed both physically and emotionally. At this stage in their lives, they want to be recognized, feel important and be free of parental and elders control. They felt, they are more matured and should be independent. Adolescents want to exhibit what they have seen adults did, whether right or wrong. This stage determines whether a child will be useful to the Society positively or turns to a social miscreant.
Moral training originates from the home and as such, much is expected from the parents at this juncture. Under the guidance of his parents, a child receives experience and training that enables him/her to learn the notion of right and wrong doings in his/her immediate family and the Society at large. It is the duty of the parents to teach the adolescents to understand the policy of, “Live and let’s live” first, then what the peer group and the society counsel. It is essential for parents to ensure that their adolescents sincerely accept the importance of living a moral and godly life.
Parents at times need to open discussion on contemporary issues, and try to listen to their adolescents’ views and opinions on such issues, which gives room for a meaningful conversation. Do you know who your children’s friends are? If your answer to the question above is No then, that is a big error that on your part as a parent, which you need to correct. The bible made us to understand in 1Corthians 15: 33 that, “Evil communication corrupts good manner.” The type of friend a person keeps, to a large extent justify his/her attitude to life. You need to prevent your adolescents from keeping bad company, who are liable to influence them negatively and jeopardize their future. Inform them on reasons why they must not keep bad friends but rather, good friends.
Many adolescents today have been misled by their friends. An adage says, “Show me your friends and I will tell you who you are” and where your voyage is likely to end. Many of today’s drunkards were only introduced into drinking by friends with a bottle of beer, many chain smokers and drug addict started it as fun; many sexually corrupted boys and girls were introduced into this immoral act by their so-called friends, many school dropout began their journey to failure with truants, so who are your children’s friends?
Many parents especially mothers have abandoned the responsibility of bringing up their children in the right manner in pursuit of fame, wealth, pleasures and fun. Rather than rise to their responsibility, they complain, nags and shift all the blames of their inadequacies on their adolescent’s teachers or religious leaders. It is high time for parents to rise to the task of bringing up their adolescents in an accepted way, that will benefit the child, the parents and the society.
Finally, parents should inculcate into their adolescent’s values such as love, honesty, sincerity, respect, generosity, diligence and abiding faith in the truth. The parents exist to guide the adolescents towards the wise use of their intelligence for the good of man rather than being indulge in mischief.
By Sis. Omolara Braimoh
