Home is the first school for our children. It is the place where they learn their alphabet and their first words; they identify names of their surroundings, e.g. sky, moon, sun; names of their physical self, e.g. nose, toes, head, belly, etc. The family teaches us our first lessons in socialisation and our first guidelines in how to relate to others. The traditional Hindu family once produced well-rounded, well-adjusted citizens but, unfortunately, this unit is experiencing some challenges today.
Many of our Hindu youth are falling prey to the ills of society today and so we as parents need to pay more attention to some aspects of our nurturing. Family is the place where children learn to develop values such as honesty, fairness, responsibility and tolerance for others. Let us then inculcate such values so that our children stay out of youth detention centres. In the year 1990, when school resumed after the failed coup attempt, many of my students in northwest Trinidad proudly informed me that their new brand name book bags, shoes and wristwatches were looted items. They further told me they were justified in “taking them cuz dem people with big stores have plenty money”. However, they had no answer when I asked how they would feel if their hard-earned belongings were unlawfully taken from them.
Some of us are falling short in teaching the right roles and responsibilities to our children. We need to distinguish love from discipline. If we are reluctant to wake up our children early on school days, they will never learn punctuality. If we don’t set schedules for them they will play all day, watch television all night and never do their homework. A parent once said to me, “Miss, all he does is watch T.V. day and night.” To which I replied, “Ma’am you doh know where the off button is on the T.V.?” Children expect parents to provide for their physical, emotional and social needs unconditionally. While we must satisfy these needs, we must also socialise them to understand that they are expected to reciprocate by being obedient, doing chores, being respectful and so on. Let us not feed them forever but instead teach them to feed themselves so that they do not need to rely on national social support programmes.
The best way parents can teach discipline is by being effective disciplinarians themselves. Many of our children are undisciplined Hindus. They will not rise early on a Sunday to attend temple, undergo fasting or perform daily rituals. Hindu parents either observe this helplessly or with indifference. Perhaps these children are not proud to be Hindus because they are ignorant of this dynamic, beautiful and rewarding way of life called Hinduism. So parents need to educate them about the marvels of Hinduism. Tell your children Hinduism gave the world astrology, mathematics, science, yoga, meditation, fashion and a rich vibrant culture. Environment is a powerful influential force. Create a strong Hindu environment for your children.
