This morning there was an interesting article in The Hindu. It was about children becoming conscious of ecological crisis and doing their bit. 'Pint size eco-cops can drive parents crazy'. They pore over garbage bins in search of errant recyclables. And, in a generational about-face, they turn off the lights after their parents leave empty rooms.
The logic, as per the author, is that children do not separate what you are doing from what you should be doing.
Reading the article further was very entertaining. However, what struck me by the time I reached the end of the article was the influence children exert in families - at least in educated families. There is this long-standing accusation among us Salesians that we work not for youth, but for kids. While this is true to a great extent, it is also true that it is exactly this period of life that is most formative. Impressions and values learnt in this stage of life are learnt for ever. (The practice part of it is another phase of formation!) Perhaps what is missing is the follow up of these kids who once grown up are left to themselves totally. A little guidance and a gentle follow up would ensure that values and lessons learnt early in life become part of their conscious/rational selves.
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