I hear people complaining Of how bad our children are, And it makes me remember What it was like When I was a child. The world was different then. A safer place, Or so it seems in my memory. Children could play outside Without parents being concerned. Neighbor watched out for neighbor, Friend for friend. And when one of us children misbehaved Our parents were sure to hear, And they were just as sure to respond. There was discipline at school, As well as at home, And children were taught respect. Imagination was a necessity On boring summer afternoons, Yet we always managed to find something to do. My first pack of cigarettes Cost a whole twenty cents, And no one ever thought to ask for ID. As we got older we discovered new evils. Beer and Boone’s Farm, Drive in movies and skating. Those were our Saturday nights. But times have changed. We are now the parents, We are the ones dealing with the children. Our children are no worse than we were, Not really. It is that times have changed, As have our values, Our sense of what is right, And what is wrong. Maybe what we need Is to take a look at our past, To remember. Then we should take a look at today And maybe understand Why our children behave the way they do. Fistfights have given way to school shootings, Alcohol replaced by crack and heroin. Schools no longer punish, They now offer “alternatives.” Teachers no longer teach, But baby-sit instead. Two parent families are now an oddity, Both biological parents in the home almost unheard of. It may be that we should look at our past And see where things went wrong In the hopes that we can ensure That our children have a future. Whatever happens, Of one thing I am sure. The next generation of parents Will look at their children And wonder why they behave as they do, Just as we are doing now! By Odis E. Shultz November 18, 1999 For our children God bless them all.
Reason for writing:
I was just sitting at my desk, thinking about life and this is what came out. Maybe it an indication that I do not need to think too often.
Birth sign: Cancer
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