How to teach our young people that both their actions and words have consequences? Right now, they are generally self-absorbed, and meanness seems to be their primary self-defence mechanism.
The adults in their lives may have developed thick skins, but what of their peers? How will they survive the onslaught of vindictiveness which now characterises their daily interactions? I try to convince them to be kind, but it seems that kindness hasn’t yet entered their vocabulary.
These are the days when anyone who gets in their way can be cut down with a stinging verbal assault or relentless mockery. They have not yet developed empathy for others. They don’t yet see the person behind the labels and nicknames they assign them.
As yet, there are no consequences for their actions. I suppose they will have to learn that the hard way, as we all did.
Last modified: 26 September 2023
