Journals # 11

Now, as a society, we have reached a point where we try to insulate children from the more unpleasant and laborious aspects of life but we have also delayed adulthood for many. Some "children" (perhaps you know some?) continue to live in their parents' basements until their late twenties. What do you think? How much (and from what) should children be protected? How well are we handling this issue now as a society? What kind of childhood will you try to create for your own offspring? What expectations will you have? What are some of the most valuable experiences and lessons from your own childhood that you will try to pass on to the next generation?

The way we treat our children now is different then how we used to, and it will keep changing with time. I think that since as a society today, and considering the number of resources and tools in our lives this is why things are different. Society is evolving very quickly, and ways of life will follow with that. I think now that we have more to give our children they are receiving more. Although, I don’t see a point where you can give your children more then they need. In all cases children should be loved, and there is not a limit to that. Parents should love their children, so why would they want any harm done to them? For the most part I think that parents are looking out for their children as best as they can. Coming from experience I know protective parents can get very annoying and frustrating, but now that I am growing up I understand now that they are just wanting what is best for me. As a society I can’t say whether we are handling the issue of protecting are children properly or not. If I were to base my opinion on my friends, I would say the majority of their parents are protective of them, but as they grow up are slowly starting to loosen up with them. Although I find there is a lot of parents who do not seem to care about their children as much as they should.
When I am older and married, I do plan on starting a family and having 2 or 3 children. I want my children to have a great childhood, like all parents would. I don’t want my children being happy because I can spoil them, and buy them lots of presents on Christmas. I want my children to be happy because of their life at home, and because their parents love them. As my children get older I don’t want to be over protective, but I wont be a parent who is controlled by their kids. I am sure I am going to have high expectations for my children. I don’t want to pressure them into high expectations though. The main thing I am going to want from my children is effort, because their have been times in my childhood I could have accomplished a lot more then I did if I actually put forth the effort. Laziness is not a good quality to have, and I will try and teach my children that. Then again I am sure they will have a hard working wife as well.