Pase 20
April 1998
The AC Phoenix
Hope for a Misguided Generation
by Ann Dubose Little
O ften, one is left to
wonder whether
taking a stand to
control our youth,
who are on the
fast track of life, is
worth the agony that may have to be
endured. Even though negative conse
quences often appear more salient,
there are many more benefits to being
on the job, especially as a Christian par
ent.
My greatest concern is that parents
must become involved in the learning
process and feel a responsibility for
learning along with our youth.
As parents, we must teach and model
the importance and effectiveness of a
positive attitude to help combat some of
the hellish shows seen on television, in
the movies or situations experienced by
our youth when they are not with us.
They must learn to overcome life's
obstacles and succeed no matter what
the circumstances. They must discover
how to make the most of their God
given gifts and unleash their potential
for excellence.
As parents we must teach them that
there are no shortcuts. It's a known fact
that everyone wants to be successful,
but very few people are willing to do
what it takes to succeed.
There are gobs and gobs of forces that
entice our youth with the promises of
big money and wonderful results (sex,
drugs, guns, etc.)
Society, television and the entertain
ment field constantly try to convince
them that they can have whatever they
want without an investment in time,
sacrifice, discipline, morals and an
adjustment in their lifestyles.
Man was created in a state of inno
cence, but with the power of choice.
He was tested under the most favorable
circumstances. He was endowed with a
clean mind and a pure heart with the
ability to do right. Yet, man yielded to
the temptation and failed the test.
We, as parents, cannot afford to con
tinue to allow our youth, who were cre
ated in a state of innocence, to be influ
enced by the likes of Beavis and
Butthead, Bart Simpson, MTV and
drugs. Communication is the only
means of liberation. In order to help lib
erate our youth, we must communicate
to them our love and concern for their
well-being, conscious, self-realization
and self-direction.
This is such a crucial time for our
youth that we can no longer afford to
deal with who's who in America, who's
married to whom, who won what award
or appointment, or any other triviality of
that nature. As parents, we must stop
being pitted against the other in the
work place, home, etc. — the old divide
and conquer routine.
As a concerned parent, teacher and
administrator, I call upon other parents
to take a stand. The cold realization is
that all the flowery and thrilling talk
about "freedom," "justice," "equality,"
"inclusion" and "sensitivity to cultural
differences" has meaning only in the
Disneyland atmosphere if we do not
guide our youth correctly. Knowledge
is the key to a better tomorrow. They
need to be taught discipline and respect
for others by parents along with the
schools and churches.
As we approach the 21st century, we
find ourselves moving in cadence in a
familiar cycle of hope and disillusion
ment. Our youth languishes, as yet gen
erally unreached. They must see that
they become what they behold and
what they think. Daily, I remember that
trials and tribulations are only opportu
nities for Cod to do something great in
my life. Therefore, He will give me the
unction to function as I take a stand to
help our misguided, not lost generation
of youth see the light and trod the path
to success and self-fulfillment for a bet
ter tomorrow.
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