In American culture, people place a monetary value on almost everything.
Try this:
Try to describe something without placing a dollar value on it! Everyone knows what you mean when you say something is worth $10 as compared to $1000. Now, I want you to express the intrinsic value of an item using adjectives, without a dollar amount? Can you portray the same or similar, importance and insignificance, as when using the monetary system? It isn’t easy, is it?
What about a child’s life? How do you illustrate their importance and meaning? Parents say a lot of things to their children like: Don’t break that, don’t touch this, I can’t believe you did that and the endless name calling that insults and conveys negative worth.
The real message being communicated to a child is that the object, (car, tv, stereo, trinket) is more valuable than that child or his/her natural curiosity or even their life! Parents need to become more aware of the impression that they are projecting as to what is valuable and worthy in life. A dear friend once said to me, “Kids have as rich a life as anyone.” When we look around at the pain, distress and demoralization that the youth of today is experiencing and expressing, we must be honest with ourselves about the value that we have placed on a child’s life.
So, on that note, the quote of the day is:
“Children are the future society of tomorrow. The song they sing is the one you taught them.” tc
